A puppy’s first experience with a professional pet groomer is a wonderful beginning to socialization. But it’s also an opportunity to shape pup’s health and wellbeing for a lifetime – if the groomer is experienced.
For dogs of any age there’s a lot more to a pet grooming experience than a bath and haircut. A professional pet groomer will make an assessment of the dog’s outward health. Groomers will check puppy’s ears for mites and infections before cleaning them in a manner that won’t cause harm. They’ll determine if nails need a clipping, saving you from hurting your puppy by cutting into the quick, the extremely sensitive nerve and blood vessel within each nail. And they’re trained to spot problems with a puppy’s skin or coat. And while they’ll even check for fleas and mites, the biggest benefit of a puppy grooming experience comes merely from the visit itself.
The most formidable months of a dog’s life occur during puppyhood. During these initial months, comfort levels will be established with all that’s human in a pup’s world. From being touched and being lifted to new sights and sounds, becoming accustomed to a grooming spa early will mean future visits become easier and easier, and far less stressful as the puppy grows. And a professional pet groomer will know what’s safe.
Puppies aren’t groomed in the same manner an adolescent or adult dog would be groomed. An experienced and professional pet groomer should take some time explaining the procedures, their importance and their limitations. At the Lucky & Lady® Grooming Spa, our groomers know which treatments are best depending on a pup’s coat. And they’re experts in knowing when it’s just the right time for de-matting and hair cutting to shape and form puppy’s coat for the future.
Timing is critical because de-matting too early can bring problems later in life. And waiting too long can be painful for puppies. It’s best to prevent matting from the beginning by understanding what typically causes matting – puppy’s first bath. Giving a puppy’s first bath at home is a beautiful experience, no doubt. But, it’s what often happens next where the problems begin. Towel drying can be just as harmful as not drying at all. Both are known causes of matting along with inadequate brushing and attaching a collar or harness too soon.
At Lucky & Lady®, puppies are hand dried with a professional air dryer, which is noisy – another great reason to expose pups early on, when they’re most prepared and most expect to experience something new.
By six months of age, puppies are ready for a full groom. A professional pet groomer will build a relationship with your pet and offer advice and guidance during the life of your wonderful new puppy.
