When Should Puppies Get Their First Grooming?

Puppies don’t need professional grooming until they are around 12-16 weeks old and have had all their shots. Professional groomers typically require puppies to be fully vaccinated and have their first haircut at 10-12 weeks old. Starting early helps your puppy become accustomed to a grooming environment as young as possible. Yorkie puppies should get their first grooming between 16-20 weeks old to aid bonding and socialization, while Shih Tzu puppies should have their first grooming session around 10-12 weeks of age.

To prepare your puppy for their first grooming session, help them get used to the feeling of having their teeth, tail, nails, eyes, and ears touched and examined up close. For Labradoodle puppies, it is recommended to visit a professional groomer for the first time after their 16-week immunizations, request a “pupil clip,” and start with short grooming sessions to get them used to the process gradually.

Puppies should visit the groomer no earlier than 12 weeks to ensure they have their first round of shots, and no later than 6 months. The window for socialization starts to close for dogs at 4 months, but acclimating your dog to grooming is essential. Cavapoo puppies are difficult grooming subjects for the first few months of their lives, so vets recommend introducing grooming into their life around the 12- to 14-week mark.

With only a bit of preparation, your puppy should have a great experience when they arrive for their first grooming session between 10 and 16 weeks of age. Groomers probably won’t take them until all their shots are done at minimum (~16 weeks). A good early grooming appointment is an introduction to the puppy and the owner to the world of grooming.


📹 Puppy’s First Grooming Tips

Meet Oreo! Oreo is our new adorable little Cavapoo. We had an opportunity to not only show you his first moments on a grooming …


When should puppies get their first grooming reddit
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When to start brushing puppy fur?

Brushing. Regular brushing helps prevent mats and keeps your puppy looking their best. You can start brushing your puppy as soon as you get them, and its good to get them used to the sensation early on in their life.

Until they get their adult coat, your puppy only needs gentle brushing. Once their adult coat starts coming through, they may need a more rigorous routine, particularly if they have a long coat.

  • For puppies, use a soft-bristled brush and brush in the direction of their fur. Start along their back before focusing on their rear and belly.
  • For adult dogs with short hair, use a rubber brush to pick up dead hair.
  • For adult dogs with medium or long hair, use a de-shedding brush or a comb to remove dead hair and detangle, as well as a soft brush to provide softness and shine.
  • Always pay attention to the areas with longer hair and those areas that get particularly muddy (such as their rear and belly.)

Professional grooming and clipping. If your dog has particularly long or curly fur, you may wish to get them looking neat and tidy with a clip. For most people, this is best managed by your local dog groomer who will have had professional training.

Cutting puppy hair too soon
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Can you cut puppy hair too early?

Clipping your puppys hair too soon is defined as cutting before the primary hairs have grown. Puppies are born with short soft fluffy hair, and sometimes it is lighter in colour than what it will be when the puppy moves into adulthood. Most breeds develop their coarser, longer coat by six to eight months of age. If a puppys hair is clipped too soon this could impact the quality of its primary hair and result in a problematic coat during adulthood. To avoid this it is important to wait for the puppys hair to move into adult stage before clipping.

Some inexperienced groomers are quick to clip a puppy without taking into consideration the dogs age or hair stage. Factors such as nutrition, genetics, sex, hormones, day length and temperature can also influence coat development. However as breeds and individuals have different rate of coat development it is important that a grooming schedule is agreed for each individual puppy.

Most dogs will need professional grooming at least 5-6 times per year for the rest of their life so a good initial experience will make them regard the groomers as a loving place and one they are happy to visit. pooch Dog Spa offers free familiarisation visits for puppys. Please call the Spa on 01252 216 100 to schedule an appointment or if you have any questions regarding your puppys grooming requirements.

How old does a puppy have to be to get groomed at petsmart
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What happens if you cut puppy fur too early?

Clipping your puppys hair too soon is defined as cutting before the primary hairs have grown. Puppies are born with short soft fluffy hair, and sometimes it is lighter in colour than what it will be when the puppy moves into adulthood. Most breeds develop their coarser, longer coat by six to eight months of age. If a puppys hair is clipped too soon this could impact the quality of its primary hair and result in a problematic coat during adulthood. To avoid this it is important to wait for the puppys hair to move into adult stage before clipping.

Some inexperienced groomers are quick to clip a puppy without taking into consideration the dogs age or hair stage. Factors such as nutrition, genetics, sex, hormones, day length and temperature can also influence coat development. However as breeds and individuals have different rate of coat development it is important that a grooming schedule is agreed for each individual puppy.

Most dogs will need professional grooming at least 5-6 times per year for the rest of their life so a good initial experience will make them regard the groomers as a loving place and one they are happy to visit. pooch Dog Spa offers free familiarisation visits for puppys. Please call the Spa on 01252 216 100 to schedule an appointment or if you have any questions regarding your puppys grooming requirements.

Puppy first grooming
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Is it OK to bathe a 3 week old puppy?

Do not yet submerge your three-week-old puppy in water. He will be ready for a bath in another week or two, but only if truly necessary even then. If your puppys mother is around still, she is the best way to get your pup clean. Be sure to begin to make separate areas for potty within the puppys whelping area.

Introduction. Your three-week-oldpuppy is really starting to grow and move around. His eyes should be open or opening soon. If he’s with his motherand littermates, he’s playing a bit moreand still nursing. Your three-week-oldpuppy is learning to go potty on his own withouthis mother helping him along, and hopefully,you are beginning to make a separate areafrom his bedding area to go potty. Even with this separation, your young puppymight still get dirty either from milk, play with his littermates, or fromgoing potty or accidents. If you need to clean him, you should know he’s stilltoo young for a full bath but is not as fragile as he was just a week ago.

Dogs Perspective. Baths and running water can be scaryfor some dogs, especially the very youngpups. Your three-week-old puppy’s bodytemperature is still not yet regulated by him, so he still needs to be keptwarm from the time you take his out of his nest to the time you return him. Anyshaking could be from fear or from being extremely cold, both of which aredangerous for your puppy.

Find a soft cloth you will use only for cleaning your puppies. Make sure it is clean each time you use it. Dampen this soft cloth with warm water. You don’t want any water dripping from the cloth. Make sure it is not too hot nor too cold.

Can i groom my 3 month old puppy
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When to first bathe a puppy?

Puppies should not have their first bath until they are eight weeks old. Young puppies can’t regulate their body temperature and can easily become chilled. It’s usually best to wait until a puppy is eight weeks old to bathe it. If it needs to be wiped down, a damp cloth is fine. After bath time, your puppy will shake itself. Your bathroom might get wet, but it’s their way of getting rid of most of the water.

When they shake off, towel them dry. If you don’t have someone to hold them, you can sit them on your lap to keep them secure. Once they’re towel-dried, you can use the hairdryer. Use a diffuser to spread the heat evenly and set the hairdryer to a low, cool setting. A hairdryer can be scary, so go slowly and avoid blowing air at their face and ears. Try to get them as dry as you can. Long-haired puppies need to be brushed or combed often to prevent tangles.

Dog grooming age requirements
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Is it OK to bathe a 1 week old puppy?

Puppies shouldnt be bathed until they are at least four weeks old—six or eight weeks is better. The little guys have trouble regulating their body temperature at that age and can become chilled. Puppies who get sick with diarrhea may need a dunking, but the stress of a bath can make the illness worse. They could even end up with pneumonia.

Bath Time by Coat Type. Poodle-type coats require the most bath time. Plan on bathing your curly coated pups at the same time they get the coat trimmed, trim about every two months. Silky and wiry coats do well with four baths a year.

Double-coated breeds like German Shepherds need a bath a couple of times a year. Aim for spring and fall after their normal shed.

Cutting puppy hair too soon cockapoo
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Is it OK to groom a 3 month old puppy?

So, what age can a puppy have a full groom? We would recommend a puppy to have its first full groom at 6 months old. However, it would be beneficial to introduce your puppy to shorter grooming treatments at 10-12 weeks old, considering they are up to date with their vaccinations.

Read on to look through our guide to puppy grooming at The Pet Retreat. You might find some great tips along the way.

We recommend that your puppy receives its full first groom when it is 6 months old.

Once your puppy has received their second vaccinations, which is usually between 10 to 12 weeks old, we recommend you introduce them to their first grooming session. We recommend this for all coat types, as waiting until later in your puppies life can lead to complications, and may make grooming a stressful experience when your puppy has transitioned into adulthood. The Pet Retreat aims to make all dog grooming services as positive, enjoyable an experience as possible for your dog.

Can i groom my 4 month old puppy
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When should my puppy get his first haircut?

Once your pup is comfortable being handled, you can start brushing and combing. This gets them ready for the tools used during a grooming session. Once youve successfully acclimated your pup to all-around handling, at or around the 10-12 week mark, you can take her in for the first grooming session (often after the second round of shots). At the latest, the first grooming is recommended before 16-weeks of age.

Not All Salons Are Treated Equal. Making sure to pre-vet the salon you will hire to take care of your pups grooming needs is important. Doing a bit of research in advance can make all the difference. Do some online searches, read reviews, and go visit the few that rise to the top.

Make sure to take into account a few things when looking for your groomer:

How to introduce a puppy to grooming?
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How to introduce a puppy to grooming?

Step 5: Introduce Grooming Equipment. Lastly, once the puppy is used to being handled and touched, start introducing them to grooming equipment. Show your puppy the brush or comb youd use to maintain their fur and feed them a treat. Brush their fur using short strokes on the back and reward them when they react positively. Repeat the process for nail clippers to familiarize them with the equipment.

Conclusion. Grooming can be a scary experience for many pups, so its important to ease them into it by practicing these five steps at home. Once theyre accustomed to being touched and handled, theyll have an easy time when its time to get groomed!

Earthwise Pet Supply & Grooming is your go-to source for local pet supplies and the best dog grooming in Bentonville. We use only the highest quality all-natural shampoos and conditioners to make your pups coat shiny and healthy. We also take care of other grooming needs such as anal gland expression, overgrown nails, and more. Schedule your pups grooming session today!

Can I cut my 8 week old puppy hair?
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Can I cut my 8 week old puppy hair?

If you cut his coat too soon, you are cutting it before his primary hairs have had a chance to grow in. Puppies like Jimmy are born with short, fluffy hair, but by the time they reach six to eight months old, their adult coat should have grown in.

Before you set out to trim your pups fur for the firsttime, you must be sure that his coat is actually ready to be cut. If you cuthis coat too soon, you are cutting it before his primary hairs have had achance to grow in. Puppies like Jimmy are born with short, fluffy hair, but by thetime they reach six to eight months old, their adult coat should have grown in. Ifyou trim his hair too soon, this could have a negative impact on how well hispermanent coat develops. Beyond that, trimming around his eyes and muzzle may benecessary, but dont be in a rush to trim his body hair.

Keeping a puppys fur trim can help keep him clean, but only if the trimming is necessary. Consulting a veterinarian or a professional groomer on whether or not you are able to trim Jimmys fur is a good first step.

Dogs Perspective. Jimmy is far too young to really care if his coat is perfectlytrimmed. His only real interests are food, fun, and going potty. Once his adultcoat has grown in and is ready to groom, the process is very similar to the oneyou would use for adult dogs. The biggest difference is that Jimmy is going to bewound up like an eight-day clock. The methods used are very similar to thoseyou would use for any excited dog.

Can I brush my 2 month old puppy hair?

As a groomer and poodle breeder I always advise people who own long coated puppies to start brushing them daily as soon as they take them home from the breeder. They will need their first professional grooming by the time theyre 12 – 16 wks.

Is it okay to groom a 4 month old puppy?
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Is it okay to groom a 4 month old puppy?

In general, puppies should visit the groomer no earlier than 12 weeks to ensure that they have their first round of shots, and no later than 6 months. Ideally, we see a new puppy in between 12-16 weeks. The window for socialization starts to close for dogs at 4 months.


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When Should Puppies Get Their First Grooming
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Christina Kohler

As an enthusiastic wedding planner, my goal is to furnish couples with indelible recollections of their momentous occasion. After more than ten years of experience in the field, I ensure that each wedding I coordinate is unique and characterized by my meticulous attention to detail, creativity, and a personal touch. I delight in materializing aspirations, guaranteeing that every occasion is as singular and enchanted as the love narrative it commemorates. Together, we can transform your wedding day into an unforgettable occasion that you will always remember fondly.

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  • My niece took her dog shopping to pet smart and decided while she was there to get him groomed. Ramsey not only sung the song of his people, he screamed it so that EVERYONE could hear. My niece was so embarrassed that she ended her shopping, and went to get him. He didn’t say a peep the rest of the day.

  • Fun story: I got my Australian Shepherd mix about 2 years ago. I drove over 3 hours to get him. The family hadn’t known their dog was pregnant and they were moving in a couple weeks, just enough time for the puppies to be 8 weeks old. When I got to their house, it was over 100°F outside where the puppies were and they were all super tired. They were so exhausted that you couldn’t tell what personality they had. I ended up choosing the dog with the most colors/spots. I’m super super lucky that his personality and mine mix so well together but I 100% agree with choosing a matching personality over aesthetics any day

  • Puppy number one does not mind sharing her mind with you. My favorite. They are all beautiful and I hope they are in great homes as adults. I have had large dogs my whole life, with a 10 year old Great Dane now needing a lot of my time, and I appreciate seeing someone who knows how to take proper care of dogs. They rely on us for basically everything and it can be a big responsibility. This article managed to cheer me up on a particularly difficult day so thank you.

  • As someone who works at a doggie daycare, often in the small dog room, I truly understand what you mean when you say “good news, puppies. Bad news, also puppies”. Recently we’ve gotten a handful of new puppies and have around 2-4 each day. Between the puppies running up to all the old dogs and me having to redirect them and the puppies playing with each other as well as perusal the rest of the dogs in the room, it feels like some days I don’t get a change to catch my breath. But I love all my furry kiddos

  • I finally have story about my dog to share! I was extremely lucky and got to pick my puppy out of a litter; the timing couldn’t have been better, I wanted a dog, and a family-friends dog just had puppies. At first I picked a dog out of the pictures and went to his house with that in mind, but then I saw my baby girl, running away and hiding every time the puppy pile got near. She was so scared and I felt so bad for her, hiding under stuff, running away from all her siblings. I knew that was my dog, I spent 10 minutes trying toys and treats until she finally trusted me, picked her up, and took her home. Been almost 2 years and she is my best friend. For those curious, her name is Oreo and her mom is a Bluenose Pitbull, her dad is an Australian Shepherd / Blue Heeler mix.

  • “It’s important to choose a dog based on their personality that fits your lifestyle, not appearance” 7 year old me: I choose the puppy that’s smol & away from the litter. That’s the chosen one. (My first dog was the runt of her litter I’m pretty sure, & she caught my eye since she was separated from her siblings chilling in the corner of a car trunk. I asked the lady seeking the pups about my future dog, to which she grabbed & told me about how much of a lover she was. I immediately wanted her bc I was told she was a lover. 10 years later, wasn’t entirely wrong about being a lover, but specifically wanted my dad 24/7)

  • Poor, sweet babies. Sounds like they’re crying for their Mommy. They’re all equally adorable. Puppy #1 makes you want to keep her nurtured and reassured everything is okay. She brings out maternal instincts such as: she needs socialization, exposure as tolerated, and constant work in building her self confidence. I would probably choose #1 because I’m a care giver and she seems the most needy.

  • I was lucky enough to grow up with a German Shepherd, we lived in S. FL with no near neighbors & I was an only child. He was my friend and playmate. I got him when I was 4 and he died when I was 22, we had wonderful adventures for 18 years, then he just laid down and drew his last breath. I’ve never replaced him because he could never be replaced. I’ve always had dogs but just 1 Shepherd.

  • I think my favorite moment (after having watched it four times right in a row, I might have a problem, some one help me) is at 0:53 when pup number one seems to have forgotten why she’s barking, but SUDDENLY SHE REMEMBERS THE DRYER OF DEATH!!! 🤣 A close second would have to be the face puppy two is making at 1:31. Classic!

  • I know you’re supposed to chose a puppy based on personality, but when I first met my Tervuren he was 6 weeks old and every single one of the pups in the litter were sleeping. I stayed for about an hour, and not once did they lift their head, so I just chose him because I thought he was the most beautiful. When I came to pick him up at the entire litter were herding hens and didn’t give a crap about me being there, haha.

  • Puppy number 1 was definitely the vocal and full of indignation. Number 2 was calm and tolerant you could see intelligence in the face. # 3 was calm and I bet will be the cuddle bug. # 4 was like well…..my brother’s and sisters went through it and survived hopefully I will too. I loved EVERY SINGLE 1 OF THEM. I have always had andbworked with working breeds and seeing these 4 little buggers run in so full of interest and confidence tells me they are being socialized very well. What a pleasure and your statement was correct as this was an honor you had bestowed on you and as always you rose to the occasion and gave them a top notch 1st groom experience.

  • The second was my favorite. Also reminded me of a litter of kittens my family fostered, five of them and they all ended up with ringworm. They needed medicated soap and water baths (and sulfur dips later on). There’s nothing like cuddling soggy kittens against your bosom. They were extremely forgiving, but then they knew we brought food.