5 Ways to Prepare Your Puppy for the Groomer

So you brought home a lovely, floofy new friend and you've read all the books. You confidently teach your puppy sit and down and make sure to put your hand near the food bowl to prevent food aggression. But there is a major area owners are missing on their fluffy friends and your groomer will THANK YOU if you take the time to read these 5 steps to help prepare your puppy for the dog groomer.

1. Brush Your Puppy

   I know this seems obvious but get your puppy use to being brushed. Not just upside down on your lap but also on an elevated surface. Remember, groomers use an elevated grooming table so have your puppy acclimated to being brushed in a sitting position ideally on a table or other elevated surface. Use a variety of brushes to really comb through the layers of coat and acclimate the puppy to the different brush sensations. And brush every part of the puppy .... I know its easy to say he doesn't like his ears or tail done but lets address that at 8-10 weeks old rather than when its a full grown dog with much bigger feelings about being handled.

2. Acclimate Your Puppy to Clipper Sounds

   You don't need expensive dog clippers to get your puppy use to the sounds of clippers. A family member may have clippers just to expose the puppy to the sound/vibrations. You can also use something similiar like an electric tooth brush, dremmel, or even youtube for sounds of grooming clippers. Yes there are videos for that. You can also expose your puppy to a home hair dryer to help them prepare for the dryers that a groomer will use which will but much more powerful and louder.

   
   

3. Acclimate Your Puppy To Different Holds

   Most owners know to play with their puppy's feet/paws when they are young. But I would challenge you to take it a step further and really teach the puppy to have their paw held foran extended period of time with the hair being parted. Remember a groomer has to hold up the paw as they line up the scissors to trim. A dog being groomed may have their paw held in the air for several minutes during the course of the groom. And not just the front feet which is generally what owners practice handling. Practice having the puppy stand and pick up the back feet as well. Maybe pick up both front feet to expose the tummy area which will need clippered. Get the puppy use to being manipulated in a variety of ways.

4. Acclimate Your Puppy To Scissors

   You don't have to actually take any snips of hair, but you'd be surprised how many puppies are curious or even startled by scissors being near their face or feet. You can hold a pair of scissors near the puppy just to acclimate them to what that will look like, and introduce the clipping sound it will make.

   
   

5. Hold Your Puppy's Face

   You may think you handle your puppy plenty, after all you love to pinch their little puppy cheeks. But have you lifted their lips to examine their teeth? Have you examined in their ears? Have you gently clamped their mouth shut with your hand? Remember a groomer trimming around delicate areas like the eyes will steady the dog by holding the muzzle. We want the puppy to associate all of these face touches with calmness when it comes time at the groomer so practice little examinations and specifically holding the face steady the way a groomer trimming aroud the eyes would need to.