First you need a schedule of regular maintenance. A properly educated breeder should start the introduction to grooming at 3 weeks old, with weekly grooming sessions consisting of baths, blow drying, brushing, combing, nails, and handling exercises, so hopefully your puppy has come to you with prior experience and nails,face,feet & fanny trimmed. It is very very important that you start the introduction to grooming as soon as you get your puppy(or older dog), even if he/she has short hair or you "don't think they need it yet" because at this point we are teaching tolerance to grooming that will benefit the dog, owner and groomer for the rest of the dogs life. Grooming your pet should be a relaxing, bonding experience for guardian and pet, therefore it should be introduced in a relaxed and gentle way. #1- make it a regular event, usually nightly as that's when puppies are tired out and willing to be handled more. #2- Be consistent. follow a regular routine. for example start with dog sitting between legs or on lap or table, with left hand on front chest(to prevent leaving) and with right slowly stroke down head, back, and legs. make sure you touch, and pick up each leg and foot and handle each toe and nail as well as in between the pads of the feet. inspect the insides of ears, teeth, mouth, & eyes. #3- Build a relationship with your groomer. Just as you feel more comfortable with a dentist you trust working on you, your puppy needs to spend some time with your chosen groomer to build a trusting relationship, after all they are going to ask him to let them restrain him, stare in his eyes and do some mildly uncomfortable or scary things, and if he trusts them he will learn that they are not going to hurt him. #4- Make sure you continue the handling through the first year at least weekly, as they go through different phases,too many owners stop after 6 months thinking "well they are trained now.." stay tuned for part two: Brushing & Combing Techniques |
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