Puppy's First Groom

Grooming puppies (dogs under 6 months) can be one of the most enjoyable parts of a groomer’s job. Sometimes it seems almost unfair that I’m paid to play work with a puppy that is happy, cooperative and playful -- Then there are the other times that they are frightened, overwhelmed and aggressive.

When a puppy is first being groomed it is best to keep the grooming short and easy. It’s more important to make a puppy’s first few grooms a positive experience than it is to get an extensive groom completed.

You can help to ensure your puppy’s first groom goes well by regularly brushing them and playing with their paws at home. This will to help to get them used to being manipulated.   

It’s also important to resist spoiling your puppy (I was guilty of this too, don’t worry). Puppies that aren’t told “no” at home take longer to submit to brushing, having their nails clipped or their chins held. Puppies need to learn when they are young, as with children, that acting up and crying will not get them their way. 

When puppies are frightened they will generally act in one of two ways; scared stiff and fairly acquiescent or defiant and aggressive… You can guess which my preference is.

Frightened puppies usually just need a little positive encouragement.  I always try to keep the real work to short spurts followed by a few cuddles and belly rubs to make them a little more comfortable.  Once they know that they are with someone who will reward them for good behaviour (with treats, positive encouragement and scratches behind their ears) they usually relax.

Groomers need to find the balance between being firm with the puppies and knowing when a frightened puppy simply needs to be comforted.  One of my most challenging puppies to groom to date was on my own Chinese Crested, Billie.  Some Chinese Crested dogs need to have their body and face closely shaved. This can be scary for them, however also dangerous if they squirm too much.

Billie would shriek and howl and make all sorts of awful noises when I first started grooming her.  The most important thing was to show her that, in spite of her protestations, I would not stop what I was doing and that she was not going to win.   However, understanding that she was scared, I also kept the grooms as short as possible and showered her with treats. 

After two or three grooms with mixed behaviour, Billie began sitting still and being very cooperative for the process because she knew that nothing bad was going to happen -- that she wasn’t going to be hurt and there was nothing to be afraid of.   Now at eight months, she is very comfortable being groomed, and the main interruptions occur when she tries to jump up to kiss me.

A puppy’s first groom can sometimes be hardest on the groomer who has to be firm while being looked at with, literally, puppy dog eyes.  Help your puppy (and their groomer) through their first grooms by booking short, simple appointments, playing with their paws and ears at home when relaxing, and as always, working on their obedience training to help them grow into healthy, happy dogs!

- Peter