When Should My Puppy Come in for Its First Groom?

Congrats on adding a new member to the family! Puppies are fun and lovable. They are curious little creatures and quickly pick up on things. When they are young, it is the best time to train them and establish a few things that will be normal. One of these things is the grooming session.

The first grooming session for a puppy is a big step for a pet owner. It is a challenging experience for the puppy and the groomer. Even the most experienced groomers will have their patience tried by these little fur babies. The quality of the experience will stick with the puppy for all its life. It is very important to ensure that it is a positive experience.

How Old Should a Pup Be to Go to the Groomers?

A great recommendation is that when a pup is 10 to 12 weeks old, they should have their first grooming. However, some pet owners can take their pup for grooming as young as eight weeks. The idea is to let the pup adjust to being separated from its mother and littermates.

Two weeks is sufficient time for the pup to adjust to its new home and family. Also, they will have received their vaccines, which makes it much safer.

Preparing the Puppy

Because the first grooming experience forms core memories for the puppy, it is important to prepare them well. Most groomers will give pet owners tips on how to prepare the puppy. Pups need to acclimatize to being handled because grooming can be a scary experience. Also, they need to be quite socialized to take it well.

Some of the ways that pet parents can prepare the puppy is to tickle them in various places. They can focus on their paws, between their toes, ears, inner thighs, and tushies. These are the parts that the groomer may focus on a lot.

Choose a Salon

A great salon will ensure that your pup's first experience is great. So, it would be best if you did some research to find the best salon. You can check out other pet owners' reviews about how groomers handle other pets. Here are some things to look out for when you first visit the salon:

 

• Good lighting
   

• Hygiene and great smell
   

• Friendly and knowledgeable staff
   

• Enthusiastic staff
   

• Monitoring of the pets in the kennel
   

• Dogs and cats are separated
   

• They do not use heated drying
   

• The pet products they have are healthy and natural

Benefits of Grooming a Puppy

Introducing a puppy to grooming early will mean they will adjust to it sooner. They will learn about the atmosphere and environment of the grooming salon. It will make it easier for you to take them back later when they are older.

Grooming has benefits like promoting hair growth. It helps reduce the buildup of dandruff and grease, prevents the matting of hair, and minimizes stress. Also, it promotes good blood flow to the puppy's skin, which boosts their skin health.

For more on a puppy's first grooming session, visit Liberty Pet Resort & Wellness Center at our office in Cumming, Georgia. Call (770) 886-9936 to book an appointment today.