Your Puppies First Groom

Your Puppies First Groom

A Puppy’s first visit to a groomer should be a pleasant time
for the little one. Here are some things you can do to make that
first visit easier on everyone involved:

Good grooming begins at home. Start the pups first session about
20 minutes after a meal. The puppy will settle down at this time
and is possibly a bit sleepy. Use a soft brush and comb. Don’t
be surprised if the puppy wiggles about. Don’t give in when this
happens, just slow your hand motions and when he stops fussing,
praise him and quit for a while, returning to it later. If there
are still problems after a few sessions consult with a groomer
or vet about handling techniques. If you bathe the puppy at
home, be sure there are no knots in the hair coat before you
begin. Knots tighten as they dry making them more difficult to
remove. If you find knots that are too tough to remove gently
with a comb, visit your groomer. Do not use scissors to cut the
knot out- a tight knot can actually pull skin into the knot and
you might cut the skin. During these sessions, gently handle the
feet, toes, ears and tail areas. The puppy will accept this
handling as bonding and allow it as a matter of course from the
groomer.

When the puppy has had its second set of immunizations, make
the first grooming appointment. (Many groomers require the pup
to have had their shots before handling- they are concerned with
your pets health as well as that of other customers pets.) The
younger the grooming process begins, the easier it is for
everyone involved.

Schedule your first few appointments 2 to 3 weeks apart, then
lengthen the time between grooms gradually. Plan a couple of
short “get acquainted” visits before the first grooming, meeting
with the groomer and getting some treats for the puppy. On the
first visit the groomer may choose to only bathe, brush and trim
the face, feet and rear of the pup, along with cleaning ears and
trimming nails. Many groomers may not do a full haircut at this
time- that can be too much for the pet to accept comfortably.
Expect the puppy to stay about 4 hours. Your pet won’t be worked
on this whole time, but allows for services to be performed in
phases and is long enough to familiarize him with the
surroundings. If your groomer attaches bows be sure to remove it
and re-attach it every 2 or 3 days to ensure that it doesn’t
become knotted in the hair. Bandanas should be removed when the
puppy is put in a crate or left alone for long periods.

Remember- all pets (just like their human friends) are
individuals and may deviate from these plans just a bit, but
following these guidelines will go a long way towards your pets
health and happiness. If you have questions about your puppies
first groom or anything regarding your pets care, please check
our website http://www.carolsbows.com