Happy Friday!

I’m aiming to get a Golden Retriever puppy this September so you can say I have puppies on my mind today!

Although I miss my old dog, I’m ready for more furry friends around the house.

You know that old saying, “you can’t teach old dogs new tricks”?

Well, it’s time to start ‘em early! And I’m talking grooming!

Grooming puppies is both a rewarding and challenging experience.

They’re young, have crazy energy and need special care, attention, and grooming techniques as you introduce them to professional pet grooming.

No matter the breed, try to create positive associations for your puppy with these procedures as early as possible

Feeling the puppy fever like me? We’ll lets dive into mastering the art of puppy grooming.

Here are the essential tips and best practices to introduce puppies to professional pet grooming.…

Start Early

It’s a good idea to start puppies on a reoccurring schedule beginning at 12 weeks old (or after they’ve had all of their shots). These first few appointments can just be the basics such as - bath, FFF & desensitization sessions. Start slow the first few times until they are ready for a full groom.

Early exposure to grooming is essential for puppies to become comfortable with the process. Encourage pet owners to start bringing their puppies in for grooming sessions as soon as they are old enough. This helps puppies acclimate to the grooming environment and reduces anxiety as they grow older.

Introducing Basic Grooming Techniques

No full haircuts on a first groom. The first couple times are mostly to get them used to sounds, routine, equipment, proper handling and table manners.

Introducing puppies to basic grooming techniques early on can lay the foundation for a lifetime of positive grooming experiences. Gradual exposure to essential tasks like brushing, combing, nail trimming, and ear cleaning helps puppies acclimate to the grooming routine and develop positive associations with each task.

Building Trust and Creating Positive Associations

These puppies are smart enough to escape the groom so sometimes you may end up playing as much as you will be working.

Building trust with puppies is essential for successful grooming sessions. You build trust with the basics. Begin by gradually introducing puppies to grooming tools and equipment, allowing them to sniff, explore, and get accustomed to the grooming environment. Using positive reinforcement, such as praise and treats, can help puppies associate grooming with a positive experience. Treats are also a great way to keep puppies engaged and make the grooming process more enjoyable.

Educating Pet Parents on Puppy Grooming Care

Since these pups are often afraid of the bath, blow dryer, and trimmers, you have to give the families homework to work on at home.

Beyond providing your grooming services, you play a crucial role in educating pet parents on proper puppy grooming care. By offering guidance on at-home grooming prep, coat maintenance, and the importance of regular grooming appointments, you can make your lives much easier in the future as pet parents also contribute to their puppy's overall well-being and hygiene.

Just remember, grooming puppies demands a combination of patience and coaching love for these little pups. How you approach these appointments significantly influences their lifelong attitude toward grooming and maintenance, ultimately enhancing their overall health and happiness. Plus you get a new friend that hopefully visits you ever couple of months for the rest of it’s life! ❤️

💭 We Want To Learn From You:

✋The Groomer’s Toolkit

📚 Read - “I had this dog today and all he did was cry…” What would you do? Join the debate in our community by joining us here 👉 The Daily Groomer Facebook Group

📺 Watch - Want to learn how to groom a Shorkie? Ben Guilherme, owner / groomer of the Urban Dogg shows us how in this comprehensive tutorial! You can watch on our YouTube here.

🎧 Listen - If you are planning on going to grooming school any time soon, this is a must listen! Ada Lopez, founder of Dog Groomer Academy in Orlando, FL, walks you through step-by-step on what you SHOULD learn in grooming school. Check out our episode here. 

That’s all folks! Until next time, let’s rock ‘n roll 🐶🤘