Puppies Are Cute Wet or Dry!

As I write this post I am thinking of a time when my puppy was getting his first bath. Picture this, a wet and sad looking soul in the bathtub of my grooming truck and next to him was his wet and sadder looking companion Callie the Cat. I was hoping Callie would make my puppies' first experience more comfortable but looking them together was both laughable and somber.

Before your puppy gets his first grooming, there are some things to consider.

Firstly, your new addition should wait for their first grooming until after they are 16 weeks old. This doesn't mean you can't put them in your own tub (but what a mess, trust me - legs everywhere in a panic). But, the series of shots puppies receive are what give them a stable immune system, until that time it is safer to wait.

Grooming establishments do disinfect tools, floors, tables, tubs, etc. but it's difficult to reach every nook and cranny. Also, the types of 'bugs' I'm referring to are normal things your body is efficient at staving off.

A good rule of thumb is to keep your puppy out of situations where other dogs' have eliminated. So can you still socialize your puppy? Of course! Just be alert to situations where bacteria and prey. Once, they are up to date on their shots to 16 weeks you are good to go!

Do get your puppy acclimated to professional grooming sessions as soon as they are old enough (17 weeks). Think of it this way, a 20 pound Labrador is much more manageable for a first grooming than an 85 pound Labrador. Each grooming session becomes a training session so that they understand what will happen and become comfortable with grooming.

Enjoy your puppy, and happy grooming!