First Trip to the Groomer
Photo by Jaz Blaketon-Petch on Unsplash
Regular visits to a professional groomer are vital to your dog’s overall health. It is important to prepare your dog for its first grooming appointment to reduce stress and guarantee a positive experience for you and the dog. Most dogs have no problems with groomers, but some adult dogs, and puppies, are anxious enough that some preplanning is recommended. Here are five tips for getting your dog prepared for this new experience:
Regularly brush your dog’s coat to get your pet used to the brush and being handled. Be sure to praise your pup and reward behavior during the brushing session (more details below).
During the grooming session, help your dog become comfortable with being touched by handling the paws, ears and tail during your at-home grooming session.
If possible, schedule an introductory meet and greet with your groomer before the official appointment to reduce your dog’s stress.
Take your dog for a long walk or run before the grooming appointment so they are tired and relaxed.
Feel free to communicate with your groomer about your dog’s personality and any needs they may have—or signs of what they are afraid of, for example loud noises. One recommendation is to initially turn on your hair dryer while your puppy is in the room. You can do this by having your puppy nearby while you dry your own hair. Eventually, start bringing the dryer closer.
Elizabeth Toc, co-owner of The Tailored Tail, recommends using a soft brush or wide-toothed comb for the at -home brushing. She suggests getting your dog used to being bathed and be sure to buy quality shampoo as it is better for the dog’s coat and skin.
“When I take care of puppies, they are not usually nervous about the grooming but reacting to something new. So, the more the owner gets the puppy used to some of the things I do during an appointment, the better it is for the dog.”
Don’t try to get your puppy ready for the groomer the day before their first appointment, Toc says. Instead, veterinarians suggest breaking the steps up as much as possible, so you’re setting yourself up for success.
For example, on day one touch your puppy with a brush and give them a treat. Then on another day brush them for a short time and build from there over the course of a few days. Focus on getting your dog used to this, rather than actually brushing them thoroughly.
At The Tailored Tail there are no cages and that keeps most dogs calm before and after their appointment. The session begins at their designated time and the owner is called 15 minutes before their pet is finished, making caging unnecessary and reducing the stress of the dog waiting for their owner.