06/01/2022
This came from another groomer but well worth a read
I wrote a thing- I'm better at writing than speaking. Feel free to use it if you want/dare
Poodle, Cockapoo, Bichon, Cavapoo, Snhauzer, Lhasa apso, Shih tzu, Labradoodle, Goldendoodle, Schnoodle (you get the idea!)
What do they all have in common? Well, apart from the fact we love them all! They are all 'high maintenance' dogs. These breeds, amongst others, will need to visit a groomer every 6-8 weeks for the whole of their lives. This is an expense that needs to be taken into consideration when you buy or adopt a dog, alongside food, veterinary care, insurance and other essential costs.
Hopefully, the breeder of your pooch will have explained to you the nature of your dogs coat and the regularity and cost of keeping them groomed, along with the importance of 'puppy intros'... but, if these are things they neglected to mention- fear not!!! Just read on and hopefully all will become clear- you dog will thank you for it!
Dog Grooming Q & A Why do I need to take my tiny puppy to the groomers when they are only a few weeks old? They don't need a haircut yet- isn't this an unnecessary cost?
Most little pups will likely not need a haircut at this age- however, grooming is classed as 'critical socialisation' - it is vital that your tiny pup meets their groomer to start to develop a bond of trust. They will also be able to experience all the new sights and sounds of a grooming salon before they are old enough to learn fear ( noisy hairdryers, clippers, sharp objects near their eyes, a bath!) My pup is 6 months old and is ready for her first haircut... but I didn't know about the critical socialisation period, so it will be her first time-is that okay?
Every dog is different, some are chilled and can cope with whatever life throws at that them-we are very kind, patient and gentle groomers -they could be fine! On the other hand, there is a strong possibiltiy that they will be very scared, anxious and overwhelmed, despite our best efforts to calm and reassure them. Dog grooming is not like hairdressing, we can't ask them to sit still and allow us, a complete stranger, to do whatever we like to them. They don't understand what we are doing and why we are doing it so they will likely put up some resistance, be it a tap dance on the table, a growl, or worse case scenario- a bite! In this situation we may advise you to come and collect them and bring them for some 'de-sensitisation' visits to allow them to get to know us and de-stress before we attempt to groom them. Very rarely, if we feel the dog is ungroomable due to fear/aggression- we may advise you to visit a behaviourist or the vet for a haircut under sedation (We cannot groom a terrified dog that is resorting to severe aggression- it's not safe for them or for us) I bought my puppy/dog to the groomers and they shaved him to the bone! He feels cold and looks awful-was this really necessary? Should I look for a better groomer?
As professional groomers, we have spent lots of time and money investing into our craft- we take pride in our work and love nothing more than to send your pooch home looking like a fluffy teddy-you're happy and we're happy! However, if your dog is matted, we have no choice but to clip them very short as it is the kindest option. If we were to spend time brushing out the knots, this would cause pain and discomfort to your pooch and go against the Animal Welfare Act. Imagine us trying to brush out the knots on a puppy that hasn't been for any introductory visits and has just met us for the first time-this would be terrifying for them! We would also not advise trying lots of different groomers as the dog and groomer will have to start from scratch each time building a connection/positive relationship. I don't think they need to come every 6-8 weeks-that works out pretty expensive for me- aren't you just trying to rip me off?
Trust me, if we wanted to make lots of money we wouldn't be dog grooming! We groom because we love dogs, we love your dog and we care about them. We don't want them to get knotty/matted and go home with the 'shave of shame', we want you to have the look that you envisaged for your pooch. We don't want your dog to see the groomers as a punishment, only visiting occasionally when they are desperate, we want them to see us and the grooming process as a regular, routine part of their lives-nothing to be afraid of. What can I do to help make grooming enjoyable and relaxed for my pup?
Invest in the right tools for grooming at home- a slicker brush and a metal comb-brush right down to the roots all over the body and follow with the comb to ensure you have caught all the tangles. You wouldn't visit the hairdresser with a head of hair that hasn't been brushed for 6 weeks and it needs to be the same for your dog. Make this experience enjoyable by having lots of treats on hand! You can also de- sensitise them to the sound/feel of your hairdryer and prepare them for the sensation of clipping using an electric toothbrush. Bring them before they are 16 weeks old for a puppy intro and listen to your groomers advice about the regularity of grooming appointments that will be needed.
Thank you for reading and taking this guidance on board - we look forward to a lifetime of happy, enjoyable grooming sessions with your dog! — feeling amused.
