Preparing for your appointment

Preparing Your Puppy for Their First Groom

Setting your puppy up for a lifetime of positive grooming experiences begins at home. Early desensitization and gentle, positive exposure are key to building your puppy’s comfort and confidence.

We recommend incorporating simple handling exercises into your daily routine, such as:

* Gently handling and holding your puppy’s paws

* Brushing and combing your pets coat

* Supporting and holding their chin

* Lightly running a metal spoon along their body to mimic the sensation of scissors

* Using an electric toothbrush on their body to simulate the vibration of clippers

These small steps help your puppy become familiar with the sights, sounds, and sensations they will experience during grooming.

When to Book Your Puppy’s First Groom

We recommend scheduling your puppy’s first grooming appointment between 8–12 weeks of age, or after their second or third set of vaccinations. Please follow the guidance of your veterinarian to determine the best timing for your individual puppy.

Our Puppy Introduction Appointments

Our primary goal is to create a calm, positive, and stress-free introduction to grooming. Your puppy’s first visit will be a Puppy Intro Appointment, designed to gently familiarize them with the grooming process.

This appointment includes:

* Bath and blow dry

* Brushing and combing

* Ear cleaning

* Nail trim

* Paw pad shaving and tidy

* Sanitary trim

* Eye and lip area trim

Each step is performed with patience and care to ensure your puppy feels safe and comfortable throughout their visit.

Building Toward a Full Groom

To help your puppy develop confidence, we recommend completing 2–3 Puppy Intro appointments, spaced approximately 4 weeks apart, before transitioning to a full groom.

By taking a gradual, positive approach, we set your puppy up for long-term success, making grooming a comfortable and enjoyable experience for years to come.