Puppy's First Grooming
As a general rule, puppies should be no older than 16 weeks (4 months) for their first grooming session. From about 3 weeks until 16 weeks, puppies are primed for bonding to other animals and individuals, for learning that objects, people, and environments are safe, and for learning what the body cues and signals of others mean. The more socialized and used to being handled a puppy is, the better. Owners should regularly touch their dogs paws (including between their toes), ears, and tushies, which are some of the areas the groomer will be working on.
The initial grooming session should be kept short:
Starting slowly will enable a groomer to build up to a full cut. Depending on the dog, it can take two to three sessions for them to become totally acclimated to and comfortable with the grooming process. The more comfortable the puppy becomes with being handled by the groomer and being on a table, and in the tub the better the puppy will become as they grow up.
The initial grooming session should be kept short:
- Bathing and blow dry
- Light brush out
- Nail trim
- Ear cleaning
- Light trimming (around their eyes, pads, and around the sanitary area)
Starting slowly will enable a groomer to build up to a full cut. Depending on the dog, it can take two to three sessions for them to become totally acclimated to and comfortable with the grooming process. The more comfortable the puppy becomes with being handled by the groomer and being on a table, and in the tub the better the puppy will become as they grow up.
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