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An Easy Guide to Preparing Your Dog For Their First Grooming!

When Is The Best Time To Bring Your Dog To Their First Grooming?

  • At PAWS, we recommend you get your dog into the shop as early as possible, preferably after the first set of shots at the veterinarian at 12-16 weeks old.

  • The point of this first visit is to train your puppy that grooming is a pleasant experience so they’re more receptive to the sensory experiences at the shop.

  • This is an important window to introduce your dog to the grooming scene because the younger the dog, the more trainable they are to the process. 

Puppy's First Grooming Tips

In a 2018 video, Rudy, from Grooming by Rudy, takes the time to record a cute, little puppy named Oreo, and his experience at the groomer for the first time.

He demonstrates the behavior of this puppy, what an intro to grooming session can look like, and gives further insight on the groomer's bounds within these sessions.

As expressed by Fancy Pants Pet Salon on November 29th, 2018, even though pups tend to be resistant and a bit more jumpy and wiggly, they are likely to be more open to the introduction stages of grooming.

It is best to introduce your dog to grooming at a younger age, however dogs that surpass that age range of 12-16 weeks still have a place at groomer shops!

Dogs older than 4 months who are new to grooming have made appointments at our shop quite a few times.

This is Charlotte who may not be new to grooming necessarily, but was new to our shop. She had her first grooming session with us November 25th, 2020.

For any dog new to our grooming shop environment, they also experience a multi-step introduction process, so older dogs, you're not alone! 

Courtesy of Animal Behavior Associates

The anxiety is just jumping off the page! As you can see to the left, the dog is demonstrating nodes of anxiety through their tense body expression, furrowed eyes, and their tail hanging low between their legs.

It should be known that the older the dog gets, the more likely they are to resist an experience they may not be comfortable with. This can be dangerous for not only them but for the groomer as well.

What Can You Do To Reduce Any Nerves Or Stress Your Dog Might Have?

In order to make the experience more comfortable and less anxiety-inducing, we recommend getting your dog used to having their feet, face, ears, teeth, and tail touched so there are no surprises once at the groomers. Also, brushing your dog at home will get them used to a brushing tool rubbing against their coat and will prevent matting.

This will help you save money in the long run, trust us! The type of brush you should use depends on the breed of your dog and the type of coat they have. But we generally recommend using a brush that is on the softer side.

How Often Should You Take Your Dog To The Groomers?


Grooming professionals recommend intervals of six (6) weeks. However, remember that your dog may need to be bathed more regularly than that and likely requires minimum at-home upkeep like gentle brushing. Generally, your pet’s nails need trimming every 4 weeks.


Booking Appointments!



We recommend booking your appointment with your groomer at least two weeks in advance! This gives you the chance to converse with your groomer about any concerns or specific conditions regarding your dog. 

Even if you’re a new client, you will always need to provide any health updates on your pet. 

Don't be afraid to ask questions! At PAWS, we pride ourselves on being a compassionate, empathetic, and sustainable shop so don't be afraid to voice your concerns! 

Above, I have provided a very demonstrative and helpful video of a groomer in Tucson, Arizona that actively goes over how you as a parent can ease this transitional experience!

What The Introduction To Grooming Process Looks Like At PAWS

  • Bring in your puppy to get brushed, have their nails done, bond with the groomer, and be allowed to play on the floor. This would last a few hours.
  • Two weeks later, have your puppy go through the bathing process. After drying, the groomer will introduce the clippers to your puppy so they can hear and feel the buzzing as one of the noises in the shop.
  • Two weeks after that, we would have your puppy brushed out and put in a crate to take a nap while another dog is dried. This would, again, allow your puppy to become acclimated to the sounds of the shop.
  • Two weeks later, we’d have your puppy come in for another bath and dry, with some more clipper interaction. We’d also clean feet, face, and bottom with limited scissor work.
  • Sometimes, we might recommend having your puppy go through the full grooming process two weeks after that, or longer, depending on the breed and individual needs.
  • Ultimately, we want your puppy to love and trust the groomer. For more information on what your puppy might need, give us a call or message us.

Rabies Vaccinations! A Must When Booking A Grooming Appointment!

  • The last and most important piece to preparing your dog for their first groomer visit or any groomer visit is making sure they have their most recent rabies shot done!

  • Proof of a Rabies vaccination is required upon the first appointment. If you are a new client, be sure to call the shop before you bring in your dog to make sure you have the necessary paperwork from your veterinarian.

  • Please wait a few days after vet visits for your dog to be groomed. Just like humans, dogs can be uncomfortable after receiving vaccines.

There you go! Now you are all set to embark on your dog's grooming journey! Tune in next time for another blog post brought to you by PAWS Pet Grooming, the shop that aims to establish a comfortable atmosphere and respect between the groomers, the parents, and the pets!

Give us a call at 401-213-6525 to schedule an appointment or message us on our Instagram or Facebook pages if you have any further questions!