With most dogs needing to be groomed every 4 – 6 weeks and an average life span of 12 – 14 years, grooming is something that should be started as soon as possible.

If your pet needs to be groomed professionally, the best time to start is after they have had all their puppy shots. This is typically around 12 weeks of age. Many people wait until the puppy is over 6 months for their first groom. However, the sooner you familiarize them with being groomed, the happier your puppy will be.

Long coated breeds will start to mat early – by starting your pup at 12 weeks the hair should be in good condition. A matted coat can be traumatizing to a pup and lead to unpleasant future grooming sessions. The puppy’s first grooming experience is like that of a child’s first dentist appointment.

If it scares them, they will fear and dread it the rest of their lives. However, if introduced at a young age and introduced CORRECTLY, it can be both a positive and rewarding experience, and they will welcome the attention they get from their grooming sessions. Love and patience are the keys to years of successful grooming.