When should I bring my puppy for his first groom?
Once your puppy has finished their course of vaccinations, they are able to come for their first grooming visit (usually around 13 weeks old).
He doesn’t need a haircut yet though??
When you get a puppy, it’s such an exciting time. You start training them to sit, come back when you call, you take them to meet other friendly dogs, so they become social themselves, you walk them near busy roads to get them used to the noise of traffic. You basically help your puppy on their journey to be a happy, confident dog who tackles all situations without fear.
Well, a visit to the groomers is equally as important. Depending on the breed, your dog will have a lifelong relationship with grooming, so they need to be happy and confident when they visit. Starting this at a young age is invaluable.
Puppy visits are taken at each dog’s individual pace. Their first visit might just be a bath, brush and tiny trim around their face and feet, or if they’re a little bit nervous, it might just be a brush. What it will include is cuddles, time to sniff the salon, calm voices, and a calm and relaxed environment.
They need to get used to the noises of the clippers, the dryer, the shower. They need to get used to someone handling their feet, their ears, touching around their eyes. Doing this at an early age means that when it finally is time for that first big boy haircut (usually between 6-9 months old), they’re confident and not scared.
A terrified, almost fully grown dog who jumps at every noise can be dangerous when scissors are now needed to give him a haircut.
My puppy doesn’t like being brushed at home…what should I do?
Puppies often don’t like being brushed at first. Why would they? You’re much more fun when you’re playing with them.
All I will say, is persevere. They might bite the brush, but don’t stop otherwise you’ve just taught them that biting the brush means they get their own way. Instead, gently push their face away and keep going. Little and often is the best way.
Advice on brushing your dog at home is free, in fact I encourage it. Ask your groomer. Get them to show you. You’re a team!! Work together.
Brushing and combing your dog should never hurt them, unless they’ve got knots. If they are knotty, ring and get them booked in for a professional groom asap, before those knots turn tighter and into matts or cover a large area; because then the only humane option is to shave them off (see page on matted dogs).