They grow up so fast, don’t they? Having a puppy is exciting, and an adventure for both of you. You’re busy learning about your puppy while he/she is busy learning about literally everything – the whole world is new and fascinating to puppies, and they are eager to learn.
While you are focused on teething and training, you might put off thoughts about getting your new friend groomed for the first time. There’s opportunities for that later, right? Instead of waiting until it is truly needed, it is better to get your puppy used to the grooming process as soon as possible (even if they haven’t grown enough hair for a full haircut yet).
Just like with socializing, which is done early to create a calmer, happier adult companion, good grooming manners are best learned young. The reason for this is that puppies are naturally curious and open to new experiences, whereas older dogs can be, shall we say, set in their ways. If you introduce your puppy to the concept of grooming and make it a positive, fun experience, he/she will be much easier to groom in the future.
START AT HOME. Before you take your fur baby to a grooming salon, practice desensitizing them to human touch at home. Handle his/her paws, ears, and legs so when a groomer does these things, it will be nothing new. Handling the feet is especially important, as many dogs do not like having their nails trimmed. You can also introduce your puppy to basic grooming equipment like brushes and nail clippers (though it is okay to not actually trim the nails if you are uncomfortable with it). Let puppy sniff and interact with the equipment so he/she learns to not be afraid.
BRING ‘EM IN! At Yappie Cuttery, we absolutely love it when little puppies come in for a visit. We make a special effort to create a positive, happy experience for them so they see trips to the groomer as a good thing. Though your puppy will get some kennel time, we will be honest – he/she will mostly hang out in the arms of our staff. Your puppy will have the chance to be around other people, other animals, new smells, and strange sounds. Depending on the breed and age, a first-time grooming usually just consists of a good brushing and bath, but can include clipper and scissor work if needed. With your permission, your puppy will have a few treats during his/her appointment to help reinforce that the grooming salon is a great place to be.
If you are asking yourself what is the ideal age for a first grooming, the answer is that, in general, the younger the better. We have groomed puppies as young as 10 weeks. Even if you are not ready to have your puppy actually groomed, it can be beneficial to just stop in and let him/her get acquainted with the salon and staff.
We look forward to seeing you and your newest family member soon!
The Yappie Cuttery Team
