When to take a new puppy to be groomed

Cobalt · 08-26-2007, 11:10 AM

Hi! Mia is an 11 week Tibetan Terrier and will have to be kept in a puppy cut every few months. I want her to like or at least not hate and fear the groomer.

Should she go now for a bath so she gets used to it?

Also, I have 3 options.

I can take her to the house of a groomer who works at a store part-time and out of her house part-time. She will come to my house but groomers make me nervous with their scissors so I'd rather not do that. And I know not to pass my fear on to Mia!

I can have the people who groom in a big truck come to my house and groom her in the driveway. A salon on wheels.

I can take her to Petco

Thanks for any suggestions!

skelaki · 08-26-2007, 12:13 PM

If it was me, I'd let the coat grow out but then I find grooming relaxing (no scissors necessary for a pet TT LOL).

But, if I was going to keep a TT in some kind of a pet clip, I'd choose one of the private groomers over the PetCo one. They're probably more experienced than the PetCo groomers are. Get a few references and call and ask the people what their experiences have been.

If everything checks out I'd make an appointment with each of the two, perhaps just 5- 10 minutes so they can meet the puppy, put it up on the table and and just do a little basic brushing the first time. And, of course, take some special treats for them to give the puppy for being good (hopefully). Offer to meet the mobile groomer someplace for this first appointment.

Cobalt · 08-26-2007, 12:18 PM

Great idea, thanks!

Purplex15 · 08-26-2007, 01:47 PM

yes you should def. start the grooming process now while the dog is young so they can get used to it. first groom should just be a bath, nails, ear cleaning, and anals if needed. if you are planning on getting the dog clipped at some time, then the groomer should also turn the clippers on around the dog and stroke the dog with them so they get used to the sound and feel. we would nomrally do a sanitary clip the first time just to get them used to it.

whoever you choose, just talk to the person and go with your gut and also with how they handle the dog. if you do stay and watch just dont be nervous or scared! your dog will be fine

Cobalt · 08-26-2007, 02:07 PM

Thanks

We had a maltese for 15 years and she tolerated it. I can't remember how we started it, it was too long ago!

Janelle · 08-26-2007, 10:30 PM

Yes I agree Do a meet and greet with the pup present and the 1st visit should be a party for the baby no major work done just get used to sights and sounds of a grooming shop...we groomers make all sorts of loud noises

Ginny01OT · 08-27-2007, 10:26 AM

Grooming should be started when the dog is young so they can get used to it--That said, I would groom the dog after it has received all its immunizations and you MAY want to consider bordatella.

crazydays · 08-27-2007, 01:06 PM

I would start immediately. From a very young age I put my Springer on the kitchen table. I comb her daily. She also gets her ears cleaned out. My friend grooms her and he had me open and close scissors close to her so she would get use to the sounds. I did the same things with clippers. At first she was nervous but then she saw the treats, and things didn't seem so bad. At 4 months I left Rio at pet smart for a puppy groom. I just wanted her to be handled by strangers. They gave her a bath and she was fine until they put a blower on her....poor Rio. She got over it.

Cobalt · 08-27-2007, 10:39 PM

Poor Rio!

Mia isn't sure about hair dryers, she leaves the area when we have them on. So, I put one on the floor so she could check it out when it was quiet, unplugged and cool.

I thought she was chewing at the nozzle a bit but it was the cord.

She killed it! All I taught her is that it's ok to bite cords.

Spiritguardian3 · 09-01-2007, 01:21 PM

Are you brushing her out/clipping her nails/cleaning her ears already?

A good idea that won't cost you money, for now, is to brush her on a table where she is safely restrained, clip her nails and clean her ears. Ask a family member or other person to brush her out or at least touch her feet, mouth, run hands over her body, etc. Praise her when she's good!

Talk to a few groomers and ask if you can buy a package deal where you can start bath/nail trims, etc at the groomers for a cheaper price so she'll get used to going to the groomers but not nessisarly groomed. Many groomers are more than happy to get puppys used to the grooming process if they'll expect you on a regular basis... it saves them time and frustration!