When you bring your new family member home, getting that fluffy puppy coat groomed may not seem like a priority. But a proper introduction to grooming is an important part of raising a well-socialized and healthy dog.
Whether you plan to manage grooming at home or take your pup to Pet Grooming Salon here are some tips to make sure grooming becomes a stress-free part of your puppy’s life.
Why Puppies Need Grooming
Keeping a dog well-groomed is extremely important in maintaining their long-term health. Routine grooming involves coat brushing, bathing nail trims and dental care. Long-haired dogs also need to be comfortable with having their hair trimmed, and long or floppy-eared dogs may benefit from routine ear cleaning. No matter the breed, try to create positive associations for your puppy with these procedures as early as possible. If they are up to date with their boostersaim to get your puppy to a professional groomer for the first time by 12 to 14 weeks of age. The ability to easily form positive associations with new experiences decreases dramatically after four months of age, so you do not want to wait until after the final vaccines Long-haired breeds like Maltese, Yorkies, and some spaniels, as well as curly-haired breeds like Poodles and Doodles, and Bichons, may need professional grooming even earlier to keep their hair from getting too long and matted. Pet parents who are comfortable with brushing, bathing, nail trimming, and teeth brushing are welcome to do most of these procedures at home. However, it’s still a great idea to involve a professional groomer in your puppy’s socialization, just in case they ever need to visit one as an adult.No matter the breed, try to create positive associations for your puppy with these procedures as early as possible.
Benefits of Grooming Your New Puppy
Grooming is an important part of dog hygiene. The primary goal of grooming is to keep the skin, nails, and teeth healthy and clean. A pup’s coat that is not properly maintained can become matted, which can lead to skin infections and even loss of circulation. Good oral hygiene helps prevent certain kinds of heart and kidney damage. Nails that grow too long can painfully break, and may even grow back into a dog’s paw pads. There are emotional benefits to good grooming as well. When introduced properly, it can be a very calming activity for both you and your dog. Grooming in animals is a social activity. Grooming also allows you or your groomer to conduct a frequent, detailed inspection of parts of your dog that you may not otherwise closely examine. Groomers frequently find ear infections, bumps, scabs, or even parasites like fleas that you can then bring to your vet’s attention.There are emotional benefits to good grooming as well. When introduced properly, it can be a very calming activity for both you and your dog. Grooming in animals is a social activity.