Title says it all, lol. I have never owned a breed that required clipping or any excessive grooming. Gunnar gets a professional groom 2x's a year to get his coat blown out and Layla I just bathe on my own. Little girl is a Shih Tzu/Maltese mix so I would like to keep her trimmed down so as not to deal with matting if possible. What age can I start bringing her in for professional grooming?
When to start having pup profesionally groomed
- Thread starter Adrienne
- Start date
I would start at whatever age she gets all her shots and her coat becomes too much to manage yourself
My mom bichon began at 9 months and loves his appointments
make sure to find a groomer and start your pup on a day when they aren't that busy, (during the week usually works), your pups first time at the groomer should be a HAPPY experience. Go see a couple of groomers if you have to
Right now get her used to the usual stuff, getting brushed, getting touched all over, and the sound of the blow dryer
so Id say around 9 months would be the age when I would start, but whenever you feel comfortable and she has all her required shots (different groomers have different requirements)
My mom bichon began at 9 months and loves his appointments
make sure to find a groomer and start your pup on a day when they aren't that busy, (during the week usually works), your pups first time at the groomer should be a HAPPY experience. Go see a couple of groomers if you have to
Right now get her used to the usual stuff, getting brushed, getting touched all over, and the sound of the blow dryer
so Id say around 9 months would be the age when I would start, but whenever you feel comfortable and she has all her required shots (different groomers have different requirements)
Thanks Fran~ our shelter works with a groomer in Superior that they really like and I just spoke with them on the phone about it too. They said after two sets of shots they can come for a puppy comfort package which is just nail clipping, bath, and dry. She gave me some good tips on getting her ready for the clippers, she said after pup is tired out to use something like a mans electric razor or an electric toothbrush and just rub it around the face, etc. I will be bringing her in for a few meet and greets before actually doing a groom and will bathe her at home a few times before too...she's already filthy on her front legs from my dirt driveway so I think the first bath will be tonight!
Clipping I would assume would be more like your moms dog around nine months...I don't know how fast her hair will grow out, lol. It's hard to do her nails though because there is so much fur on her feet:yikes:
Clipping I would assume would be more like your moms dog around nine months...I don't know how fast her hair will grow out, lol. It's hard to do her nails though because there is so much fur on her feet:yikes:
The groomer that you spoke to gave you the same advise I would give you. I like to work with puppies to show them that going to the groomers is a positive experience. I usually recommend around 4 months of age, but I have had 12 week old pups coming in to get some love and a bath just to get used to the environment. I do not like to use clippers on ANY dog the first time that they come for a groom, but if necessary we will. As for when you have to start professional grooming that all depends on how the coat is growing and how much maintenance you are willing to do.
Theoretically, the dog should have already been startedon this. a good breeder of dogs that will need to be groomed a lot should already be aclimating them to the process wehn they have them. I used to work for a poodle breeder. when their eyes opened, she started training them on the table, and geting them used to being handled. by 4-5 weeks, they go in for their first "haircut" (clean face, feet, tail). by the time they go to their homes, they are perfect for grooming, and can handle a full groom. every single dog i have ever done who was started on grooming from a young age has been perfect.
if the dog came from a less than reputable breeder, or a shelter, then this things obviously didnt happen.
Start NOW! put him a table of sorts (a washer/dryer works well too), and handle him. pick up his foot, dont put it down until he lets u hold it without struggling. brush him. make him stand still. hold his face. all of these things will help him get used to what he has to do at the groomer.
if the dog came from a less than reputable breeder, or a shelter, then this things obviously didnt happen.
Start NOW! put him a table of sorts (a washer/dryer works well too), and handle him. pick up his foot, dont put it down until he lets u hold it without struggling. brush him. make him stand still. hold his face. all of these things will help him get used to what he has to do at the groomer.
Thanks guys. Her first appointment is set for just after her second set of vax. I don't want her around all those dogs until then. However, she did go in today for a 'meet and greet' and they trimmed the hair around her eyes and nose. It looks much cleaner now and they didn't charge me I did her nails last night and we do daily brushing so she should be good until the actual appointment and have lots of experience with whats going to happen there. We will stop for another meet and greet next week. She loves everyone and is very tolerant so I think she will do great.
I did her nails last night and we do daily brushing so she should be good until the actual appointment and have lots of experience with whats going to happen there. We will stop for another meet and greet next week. She loves everyone and is very tolerant so I think she will do great.