Top Tips for Grooming your Pup

Grooming is a great way to interact and bond with your puppy. Regular grooming helps to improve your puppy's skin and coat condition, and also gets them used to being gently handled. 

Get into the Grooming Groove

Try to enjoy a short grooming session with your puppy once a day. Many dogs enjoy being gently groomed, stroked or petted, especially if you start at a young age. This will make grooming easier as your puppy grows up.

Here are a few tips for getting started:

• Use a brush specifically designed for grooming pets; ask your vet to recommend a suitable brush for your puppy's coat length. 
• Keep the grooming sessions short; just long enough to brush once over your puppy's whole body. Gradually lengthen the sessions over the next few months. 
• Try to groom your puppy on a tabletop occasionally, especially if they are a smaller breed. This will get them used to tabletop interactions, which can be useful for visits to the vet or a professional groomer in the future.
• Watch out for sensitive areas. Your puppy's head area is very sensitive, so be extra gentle when you're brushing there. 
• If your puppy starts to wriggle, hold them firmly with both hands until they calm down. Praise them when they stop wriggling.
• When your puppy starts to accept grooming and keeps still for a while, stop and reward them with a game, a treat or a walk.

Routine Health Check

Grooming your puppy also gives you a chance to check their skin for tell-tale signs of health issues. Gently check for any redness, rashes, balding spots or unusual lumps and bumps.

Trimming Hair and Nails

Every now and then, you might need to trim your puppy's coat, especially the hair around the eyes, ears and paws. This is often easy to do yourself, but you might prefer to take them to a professional groomer.

Trimming nails is trickier than trimming hair, so it's often advisable to ask a professional to do it. Your vet or groomer can trim your puppy's nails. Check them often and have them trimmed regularly, to prevent nasty snagging or tearing. 

Puppy Bath Time Tips

Your puppy will need a bath occasionally. Most dogs only need a bath every couple of months. Long-haired breeds tend to get dirtier more quickly and can also become matted, so they'll need more regular baths. 

Here are some tips for safe bathing: 

• Choose a gentle natural dog shampoo that's suitable for your puppy's hair type. Ask your vet for advice, especially if your puppy has sensitive skin or allergies.
• Bath puppies and small dogs in the sink or a smaller container, instead of putting them in the bathtub. 
• Once your dog is big enough for the bathtub, place a non-slip rubber mat on the bottom of the tub to prevent slips and falls.
• Use shallow, lukewarm water to bathe your puppy. 
• Gently pour the water over your puppy's back and legs using a jug; don't use a shower attachment.
• Take care not to get any shampoo in your puppy's eyes.
• Thoroughly rinse off any shampoo and then gently dry your puppy off with a clean, warm towel.
• Don't bathe your puppy too often, as this can dry out and irritate their skin. Ask your vet for advice based on your puppy's breed and hair type.

Should You Use a Professional Groomer?

Grooming your puppy is a fun way to bond, and you'll probably find you're able to do a lot of it yourself. However, as your puppy grows bigger, you might find they need some professional grooming help, especially those with longer coats. 

You'll want to choose an experienced groomer with a love of animals, who can make the grooming experience enjoyable and stress-free. Ask your vet for their recommendations.