Your Puppy's First Groom: When to Start and How to Prepare

Your puppy's first groom is about much more than a bath and a tidy-up. It's their introduction to being handled, bathed and dried by someone new, and a good first experience makes every future groom easier for your dog, for you and for your groomer.

When should a puppy have its first groom?

Start handling and brushing at home straight away. For a first visit to a grooming salon, follow your vet's advice on vaccinations before your puppy starts visiting places where other dogs have been.

Once your vet is happy, earlier is generally better. A gentle, positive first visit while your puppy is young is much easier than introducing grooming to an older dog that has never been handled this way.

What to practise at home

A few minutes a day makes a huge difference:

• Paws: gently hold each paw and touch between the toes, then reward.
• Ears and face: softly lift the ears and touch around the eyes and muzzle.
• Brushing: a soft brush for a minute or two, with treats. Keep it short and fun.
• Standing still: practise standing calmly on a non-slip mat for a few seconds at a time.
• Sounds: let your puppy hear a hairdryer on a low setting from a distance, rewarding calm behaviour.
• Car rides: short, positive trips so travelling isn't scary.

What usually happens at a first groom

A first groom is a gentle introduction. The aim is for your puppy to experience the bath, the dryer and the brush in a calm, positive way, at their own pace. We give puppies the time they need. There's no rushing and no production line.

On the day

• Give your puppy a chance to go to the toilet and burn off a little energy before you arrive.
• Avoid a big meal right before the appointment.
• Keep the drop-off calm and quick. Puppies pick up on our emotions.
• Let us know about anything that worries your puppy, any sensitive areas, and any health issues.
• It's worth having your puppy's vaccination details handy.

After the groom

Lots of praise! Keep up the handling and brushing at home, and book regular grooms so the salon becomes a familiar, happy place. For coats that keep growing, like oodles, regular visits from puppyhood are especially helpful. Our Cavoodle grooming guide explains why.

What if my puppy is nervous?

That's completely normal. Some puppies take everything in their stride, and others need more time. Read our guide to grooming a nervous dog for signs of stress and ways to help.

Puppies and nervous dogs are always welcome at our salon in Brighton-Le-Sands. Find out more about our puppy grooming.