Puppy’s First Groom
If you have a new puppy then you are probably wondering what you should do about grooming. Even a very small puppy can be introduced to the grooming process. Begin your puppy’s first grooming session about twenty to thirty minutes after a meal. This is when your puppy should be calmer and even a little sleepy. Use a soft brush or comb to gently brush your puppy’s fur. Don’t be surprised if your puppy wiggles around while you brush him. Remember, this is a new experience for your puppy. Slow your hand motions down and when he settles down, praise him and take a small break. While you brush your pet, gently handle its feet, toes, ears and tail areas. This will help your puppy learn to accept this type of handling and will make professional grooming less stressful for him later.
Once your puppy has received its second set of immunizations it is time to schedule his first grooming appointment. Most professional groomers will require that your pet has had their shots before grooming. This is for the safety of both your pet and the other pets that are visiting the groomer. Remember, the younger that your dog is when it receives its first professional grooming, the easier it will be for everyone involved.
Consider scheduling your first few grooming appointments two to three weeks apart and then slowly begin to lengthen the time between appointments. If you get your puppy acquainted with the grooming salon at a young age then grooming will be much easier on him in the long run. The strange sights and sounds of new places can cause a lot of anxiety for dogs, and the younger they experience something, the better. Being professionally groomed entails a lot of contact from an unfamiliar person, but an early start will make it almost second nature to your dog. Just remember to always reward your puppy with a treat immediately after his grooming appointment to establish a pleasant association.
On your puppy’s first visit your groomer will likely only bathe, brush and trim your puppy’s face, feet and rear. Most groomers will not do a full haircut on a puppy’s first visit as it can be too much for the pet to comfortably accept.
Claws N Paws Day Spa has many years of experience grooming puppies. We understand that visiting a grooming salon can be stressful for puppies and we will do everything that we can to make it a pleasant experience for them_. For more information, or to schedule your puppy’s grooming appointment, please call us at 714-962-1005.
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