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52 Posts
I agree that it's best to introduce grooming asap. The more exposure the pup has to grooming, the better. Where I work, we offer a "puppy series" for a discounted rate to get the pups used to grooming slowly, rather than trying to do a full groom right from the start (it's just too stressful for most puppies and it doesn't make for a great first experience).
We like to get pups used to all the different noises of the shop and slowly introduce tools & clippers (a lot of puppies are scared of them the first time they hear & feel the vibration). If you can't find a shop to take the puppy in before it's fully vaccinated, then do as much as you can at home. Get the pup used to brushing (slickers & combs), touch its feet as often as possible, handle legs, ears, muzzle, etc. Always make everything a positive experience. Even if the grooming shop won't groom the pup yet, you could ask to stop in with her, give her treats there, ask for a nail trim, etc.. just to get her used to the place.
When you go for the groom, I'd recommend going slow. Maybe start with brushing & nail trim, possibly light scissor trim if she's doing well. Then have a bath & brushing, exposure to clippers, etc.. you just don't want to overwhelm her right from the start.
Lastly, I'd like to mention that in the past year I've seen more than a handful of matted pups for their first groom. The owners come in with 5-7 month old puppies that are matted all over. The puppies then have a negative first grooming experience because matting is uncomfortable to remove and can take a lot of time. After all the dematting, they're then bathed, dried, brushed, trimmed further to even everything out, and they have their nails trimmed, ears cleaned & plucked if necessary, etc. It's a long process and stressful, especially for a first experience. It's so important to make grooming a positive experience, so brushing at home is essential, especially if professional grooming can't be introduced sooner.
We like to get pups used to all the different noises of the shop and slowly introduce tools & clippers (a lot of puppies are scared of them the first time they hear & feel the vibration). If you can't find a shop to take the puppy in before it's fully vaccinated, then do as much as you can at home. Get the pup used to brushing (slickers & combs), touch its feet as often as possible, handle legs, ears, muzzle, etc. Always make everything a positive experience. Even if the grooming shop won't groom the pup yet, you could ask to stop in with her, give her treats there, ask for a nail trim, etc.. just to get her used to the place.
When you go for the groom, I'd recommend going slow. Maybe start with brushing & nail trim, possibly light scissor trim if she's doing well. Then have a bath & brushing, exposure to clippers, etc.. you just don't want to overwhelm her right from the start.
Lastly, I'd like to mention that in the past year I've seen more than a handful of matted pups for their first groom. The owners come in with 5-7 month old puppies that are matted all over. The puppies then have a negative first grooming experience because matting is uncomfortable to remove and can take a lot of time. After all the dematting, they're then bathed, dried, brushed, trimmed further to even everything out, and they have their nails trimmed, ears cleaned & plucked if necessary, etc. It's a long process and stressful, especially for a first experience. It's so important to make grooming a positive experience, so brushing at home is essential, especially if professional grooming can't be introduced sooner.
