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Your Puppies First Groom
By Carol Koepping, Fri Dec 9th
Your First Groom A Puppy's first visit to a groomer should be a pleasant timefor the little one. Here are some things you can do to make thatfirst visit easier on everyone involved:
Good grooming begins at home. Start the pups first session about20 minutes after a meal. The puppy will settle down at this timeand is possibly a bit sleepy. Use a soft brush and comb. Don'tbe surprised if the puppy wiggles about. Don't give in when thishappens, just slow your hand motions and when he stops fussing,praise him and quit for a while, returning to it later. If thereare still problems after a few sessions consult with a groomeror vet about handling techniques. If you bathe the puppy athome, be sure there are no knots in the hair coat before youbegin. Knots tighten as they dry making them more difficult toremove. If you find knots that are too tough to remove gentlywith a comb, visit your groomer. Do not use scissors to cut theknot out- a tight knot can actually pull skin into the knot andyou might cut the skin. During these sessions, gently handle thefeet, toes, ears and tail areas. The puppy will accept thishandling as bonding and allow it as a matter of course from thegroomer. When the puppy has had its second set of immunizations, makethe first grooming appointment. (Many groomers require the pupto have had their shots before handling- they are concerned withyour pets health as well as that of other customers pets.) Theyounger the grooming process begins, the easier it is foreveryone
involved. Schedule your first few appointments 2 to 3 weeks apart, thenlengthen the time between grooms gradually. Plan a couple ofshort "get acquainted" visits before the first grooming, meetingwith the groomer and getting some treats for the puppy. On thefirst visit the groomer may choose to only bathe, brush and trimthe face, feet and rear of the pup, along with cleaning ears andtrimming nails. Many groomers may not do a full haircut at thistime- that can be too much for the pet to accept comfortably.Expect the puppy to stay about 4 hours. Your pet won't be workedon this whole time, but allows for services to be performed inphases and is long enough to familiarize him with thesurroundings. If your groomer attaches bows be sure to remove itand re-attach it every 2 or 3 days to ensure that it doesn'tbecome knotted in the hair. Bandanas should be removed when thepuppy is put in a crate or left alone for long periods. Remember- all pets (just like their human friends) areindividuals and may deviate from these plans just a bit, butfollowing these guidelines will go a long way towards your petshealth and happiness. If you have questions about your puppiesfirst groom or anything regarding your pets care, please checkour website http://www.carolsbows.com About the author: Carol is a Nationally Certified Master Groomer, certified bythe National Dog Groomers Association of America, Inc. A petgroomer since 1993, she attained National Certification in 2002. To visit her website, click http://www.carolsbows.com Here youwill find her selection of dog bows, dog collar charms andfurther articles on care for your pet.
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