Freshly groomed golden retriever at The Groomed Paw, Denver

Denver, CO · Capitol Hill

Professional Pet Grooming They’ll Actually Look Forward To

The Groomed Paw is a Fear Free certified grooming studio on E Colfax Avenue. Appointment-based, all breeds and sizes welcome. Your dog leaves clean, calm, and comfortable.

Fear-Free CertifiedAll Breeds & SizesAppointment-Based4.8 Stars on Google
Fear-Free CertifiedAll Breeds & SizesAppointment-Based4.8 Stars on Google

What We Offer

Grooming services for every coat type.

Pricing varies by breed, coat condition, and size. We quote every dog at drop-off and confirm before we start. No surprise charges at pickup.

Dog getting a bath at a grooming salon

Bath & Brush

From $45

Shampoo, conditioner, blow-dry, brush-out, ear cleaning, and nail trim. No haircut. Great for maintenance between full grooms.

Freshly groomed dog after full groom service

Full Groom

From $65

Bath & brush plus a breed-standard or owner-requested haircut. Includes nail grind, ear cleaning, and bandana or bow.

Dog being blow-dried after de-shedding treatment

De-Shedding Treatment

From $55

Specialized shampoo and conditioner that loosens the undercoat, followed by an extended blow-out and deshedding brush. Reduces shedding by up to 80% for 4–6 weeks.

Puppy getting its first grooming experience

Puppy First Groom

$40

A gentle introduction to the grooming process for puppies under 6 months. Short session focused on making the table, tools, and dryer familiar and positive.

The Groomers

Certified groomers who read the dog.

Both of our groomers are certified through the National Dog Groomers Association of America and maintain their Fear Free certification. We don’t rush appointments or double-book.

Sam Parke, certified master groomer

Sam Parke

Certified Master Groomer · 8 Years

Sam is a National Dog Groomers Association of America Certified Master Groomer with eight years of experience. She specializes in breed-standard trims for terriers, doodles, and poodles, and has a particular interest in coat health and skin condition. She’s the one to book for doodles with matted coats or any dog that needs careful handling during the blow-dry.

Alex Rivera, Fear Free certified groomer

Alex Rivera

Fear Free Certified Groomer

Alex holds a Fear Free certification and completed additional training in low-stress handling techniques with dogs that have anxiety, reactivity, or negative grooming histories. Alex works exclusively with dogs who need a slower, gentler approach — including senior dogs and those recovering from trauma. If your dog has had a bad grooming experience before, book with Alex.

Reviews

What dog owners say.

Real feedback from dogs who are regulars — and their people.

★★★★★

Our rescue, Mochi, came to us terrified of grooming after a bad experience. Alex worked with her over three appointments, going slower each time, and last month Mochi walked to the grooming table on her own for the first time. We can’t thank them enough.

★★★★★

Sam does our standard poodle, Winston, in the Continental trim and it is immaculate every single time. She knows poodle coat texture and does the topknot perfectly. We’ve been coming every 6 weeks for two years and have never had a disappointing appointment.

★★★★★

The de-shedding treatment on our husky, Loki, was a revelation. We’d resigned ourselves to fur everywhere, forever. After the first treatment the amount of shedding dropped noticeably and it held for about five weeks. We book it now every 6 weeks.

FAQ

Questions we hear often.

Does my dog need to be up-to-date on vaccines to get groomed?

Yes. We require proof of current rabies vaccination for all dogs. We also strongly recommend distemper/parvovirus and bordetella (kennel cough) vaccines, which we ask about at intake. This protects your dog and every other dog in the salon. If your dog is due for vaccines, please get them updated at least 2 weeks before grooming to allow the vaccine to take effect.

How often should my dog be groomed?

It depends on the breed and coat type. Double-coated breeds (Labs, huskies, shepherds) do well with a bath and brush every 6–8 weeks and a de-shedding treatment seasonally. Single-coated dogs with continuously growing hair (poodles, doodles, shih tzus) typically need a full groom every 6–8 weeks to prevent matting. We can recommend a schedule based on your dog's specific coat at your first appointment.

My dog gets anxious at the groomer. Can you handle that?

Yes, and it’s something we take seriously. Alex Rivera holds a Fear Free certification and works exclusively with dogs who need a slower, lower-stress approach. We don’t use choke chains, muzzle restraints, or noise-aversive tools. We use treats, frequent breaks, and a calm environment. Very anxious dogs may need 2–3 conditioning appointments before a full groom — we’ll be upfront about that from the start.

How do you handle pricing for matted coats?

Matting that can be safely brushed out adds time to the appointment and is charged at an hourly rate. Matting that is too close to the skin to brush out safely requires shaving, which is always done at the closest safe length rather than trying to preserve length at the cost of your dog’s comfort. We assess coat condition at drop-off, give you a price range before we start, and call if we find anything unexpected mid-appointment.

Ready to book your dog’s next grooming appointment?

Appointment-based only. Book online or call us. First-time clients welcome.