Congrats on your new puppy! Having a puppy in the house is exciting, fun, and full of new experiences. What you teach your puppy now will follow them into adulthood, so it’s important to set them up for success. There’s lots to consider regarding puppy grooming, so below are our recommendations for ensuring a top-notch first grooming experience so that your pup learns to love his groomer!

First, how old should the puppy be before being groomed?

Puppies should be 12 weeks or older and in good health before being groomed for the first time. So, what do you do before then if your pup gets dirty? Use puppy wipes! We recommend Nature’s Miracle puppy wipes in particular. Remember to always adhere to the age restrictions on the packaging and avoid contact with the eyes.

A positive Pet spa experience actually begins at home.

Step one in a positive pet spa experience is getting your pup used to being handled the way a groomer would. Gently handle their paws, ears, face, belly, and tail. Groomers need to be able to trim nails, clean ears, shave bellies, and trim the fur around the face, ears, and tail. Gently teaching your pup that it’s okay to be handled will make their experience (and the groomer’s job!) that much better.

Not only will this process help your dog while at the groomer’s, but it’ll help make vet visits less stressful as well.

Step two is regular brushing. Whether your puppy is long-haired or short-haired, beginning the brushing habit early will ensure they learn to enjoy it as adults. Not to mention, regular brushing can also keep their skin and coat healthy, and prevent matting!

go slow and steady.

Grooming spas can be loud places with all sorts of fresh smells and contraptions, and a new human. It can be a scary place for a new pup! But teaching your pup early that grooming spas are actually fun places with awesome people (and tasty treats!) can have lasting effects into adulthood. When introducing them to the grooming salon for the first time, start slow.

At Scottie Paws, we recommend building up to a full grooming session. Here are some great suggestions:

1. Give them plenty of exercise beforehand.

A long walk or playtime beforehand will get rid of some of their excess energy and make for a less anxious visit.

2. speak softly and Provide treats upon arrival.

Words of encouragement and a treat when they come in the door can go a long way– and every pup loves being told they’re a good boy or girl!

3. Keep the first visit short and Work your way up.

Bring them in for just a bath first, then a quick trim. Work your way up to nail trims and full haircuts. By the time it’s time for that haircut, they’ll be used to the sights, sounds, and smells of the salon.

Don’t wait too long to start a good habit.

One mistake we see too often is pet parents that wait a long time to bring their puppy in for their first visit. Bring them in as soon as they reach the 12 week mark and have their shots! The sooner the better when it comes to grooming.

stay calm, and keep it short and sweet.

Most groomers will expect one-on-one time with your pup. Why? Because dogs can act up when their owners are around, creating an unsafe environment for themselves and the grooming staff. We know it can be hard to be away from your pup, especially when they’re in a new environment. Stay calm. Dogs can sense your feelings; if you’re nervous, they’ll be nervous! Keep your exit short and sweet to minimize their anxiety and raise a more confident dog.

Research, research, research.

Finding the right grooming salon for your pet is an important part of the process. Look at their website, read their requirements and specifications, check their reviews and referrals. Give them a call and ask questions; your potential new groomer should happily guide you through the process. When you’re ready, make that first bathing appointment and plan to drop in a bit ahead of your appointment to see the place for yourself. Does it smell good and look clean? Are pets supervised while being kennel dried? Do they use heated dryers, which can be dangerous?

At Scottie Paws, we believe in full transparency and proudly groom our customers in the front of the shop. We will also happily provide a tour of our space, showing you the bathing and drying areas as well. We only ask that you please exercise caution and listen to the instructions of our staff at all times– this is for your safety, as we do work with live animals.

Tell your groomer about any haircut specifics, as well as any medical or behavioral issues your pup may have. This will help the groomer best prepare and accommodate your pup’s needs!

Remember, your relationship with your groomer is based on mutual trust and love, and it will be a relationship you’ll be in for the rest of your dog’s life. Choose a salon that best fits your needs and those of your pup, and teach them early on that the groomer is their friend!

Ready for puppy’s first groom? We hope to see you soon!