Puppy’s first groom. What age to start at??
Most puppies should see a groomer after they’ve had their second round of vaccinations, no later than 14 weeks. At this stage in their development they’re still trusting and willing to let strangers handle them and will quickly acclimatise to strange noises and sensations.
At home get your puppy familiar with being touched everywhere. Pick up their feet and gently play with their toes, hold their tails and tickle their ears.
The more your puppy is familiar with being touched the easier the first groom will be. Many people wait until the puppy is over 6 months for their first groom however, the sooner you familiarise them with being groomed the happier your puppy will be! I like to compare a puppy’s first grooming experience with that of a child’s first dental appointment, if it scares them they will fear and dread it for the rest of their lives. However, if they are CORRECTLY introduced at a young age, it can be both a positive and rewarding experience.
Your first visit with the groomer:
Your puppy’s first visit should be relaxing and fun. Lots of cuddles, treats, a gentle bath, dry and groom can be completed depending on how they react to each of the stages and I will always groom at your puppy’s pace. They are gently introduced to having their nails clipped, ears cleaned as well as the sound of the clippers and dryer. It is important for the puppy to start learning the house rules and how they are expected to behave when on the grooming table and we always reward the good behaviour! It will usually take 2-3 sessions for the puppy to become completely comfortable with the whole grooming process and at the end of the session I will recommend a schedule based on breed, hair type, and activity levels that is best for your pup.
At My Best Friend we offer a FREE Puppy pamper for puppies under 6 months old who have never visited us before. This includes meeting our team for cuddles, health check, nail trim, ear cleaning, bath and dry. Please contact us to book your new best friend in.
