Four Tips to Get Your Puppy Ready for the Groomers
If you can get your puppy started out on the right track with grooming, you will have more luck with professional groomers throughout its life. If you are lucky enough to be starting out your training with a puppy, help handling and grooming techniques become the norm for your dog as it grows. Here are four tips to get your puppy ready for the groomers.
1. Bring Your Puppy By to Meet the Groomer
Even if your puppy isn't ready for a haircut or a nail clipping, it can be good to take it to see the groomer's and acclimate to the environment. If you buy treats or supplies at your groomers, you can bring your puppy by. If you have another dog scheduled for grooming, bring your puppy along with your other dog. Be sure to let your groomer know you're stopping by and he or she should be able to accommodate you.
2. Handling Your Puppy's Paws
As your puppy grows, getting it used to having its paws handled will make clipping its toenails easier to handle. Whether you or a groomer do this, it is always easier if your dog is comfortable having its paws held. This comfort will also help when you or a groomer trim the hair around your dog's feet.
3. Rubbing Your Puppy's Facial Area
Your dog's nose, cheeks, and ears can be highly sensitive, but try to get your puppy used to having this area petted and groomed. This will help groomers in the future clean your dog's ears and do any sort of necessary grooming in the area without an adverse reaction from your dog. Some dogs can get nervous at the groomers, but if they are used to having hands around their face they will be less likely to act out.
4. Brushing Your Puppy
If you can start out with a soft brush for practice, your puppy will quickly learn that time-outs for brushing are just part of the routine. This will help keep your puppy from feeling too sensitive when it is brushed by groomers or having its fur trimmed or clipped. If a puppy can get used to regular brushing, more intense events such as haircuts or bathing won't seem as hard for it.
If you can get your puppy started off on the right foot when it comes to grooming, it will have an easier time staying happy through regular grooming habits. Do your groomer and your puppy a favor by making grooming practices routine from the beginning. For more information about dog grooming, go to websites like this one.
