I just got a puppy, now what?
Congratulations! I'm sure you have a million and a half things that you are working on with your new pup! One of the most overlooked parts of puppyhood is establishing a frequent, positive, and clear grooming routine with your new pup, especially if they're a coated breed. While I am utterly useless on the topics of potty training or basic obedience, I excel at putting together the building blocks of proper routines and home maintenance and am happy to assist! Together we will form life long positive associations with the tools, the process, the groomer, and most importantly: you!
What's your first step? Get all those tools in your home! Combs, small slicker brushes, and an old electric toothbrush are the building blocks to desensitizing potential triggers. Utilize positive reinforcement (praise, treats) while first allowing puppies to sniff, touch, and investigate. Keep sessions short and sweet! Over time you may work your way to actively using the brushes (gently, and with a brushing spray please), or working your way from simply turning on the toothbrush, to eventually running the butt end over their backs.
What's your next step? Get in touch with me ASAP! First and foremost I want to make sure you have all the information you need to be successful! Secondly we will discuss the current vaccine schedule and find the ideal time to have their first intro visit (generally after the second series of shots for a little more robust protection, usually around 10-12 weeks). We will then work as a team to target your puppies specific desensitization needs while continuing to build rapport and trust.
What's your first step? Get all those tools in your home! Combs, small slicker brushes, and an old electric toothbrush are the building blocks to desensitizing potential triggers. Utilize positive reinforcement (praise, treats) while first allowing puppies to sniff, touch, and investigate. Keep sessions short and sweet! Over time you may work your way to actively using the brushes (gently, and with a brushing spray please), or working your way from simply turning on the toothbrush, to eventually running the butt end over their backs.
What's your next step? Get in touch with me ASAP! First and foremost I want to make sure you have all the information you need to be successful! Secondly we will discuss the current vaccine schedule and find the ideal time to have their first intro visit (generally after the second series of shots for a little more robust protection, usually around 10-12 weeks). We will then work as a team to target your puppies specific desensitization needs while continuing to build rapport and trust.
How do your puppy intro visits work?
I really like to be upfront here: this will be the most rigorous grooming schedule they're likely to ever have, but it will build the foundation for a dog that doesn't just tolerate grooming, but truly enjoys the experience. At the core, my goal is that your dog becomes one of the ones that you could just open up the car door and they'd bolt into my house.
The general puppy intro plan is 2-4 visits, spaced 2-3 weeks apart. The earlier we start, and the more homework done, generally leads to fewer required visits. Some dogs naturally take longer to acclimatize to the process, and need just a little extra support. I'll be giving you very detailed oral reports after each visit, and we will come up with the plan that works for all.
I recognize that this is also the most expensive time in a young dogs life. As a personal investment into your dogs bond with me, I offer deeply discounted "puppy intro" pricing to help facilitate the frequency needed. I will extend puppy pricing until ~6 months if you desire to keep the frequent schedule, the benefits for your dog are immense.
A 12 week old first visit will start on the low end, whereas their first haircut may be the high end.
Small breed puppies: 40-50
Medium breed puppies: 40-60
Large breed puppies: 50-60
Giant breed puppies: 50-80
The general puppy intro plan is 2-4 visits, spaced 2-3 weeks apart. The earlier we start, and the more homework done, generally leads to fewer required visits. Some dogs naturally take longer to acclimatize to the process, and need just a little extra support. I'll be giving you very detailed oral reports after each visit, and we will come up with the plan that works for all.
I recognize that this is also the most expensive time in a young dogs life. As a personal investment into your dogs bond with me, I offer deeply discounted "puppy intro" pricing to help facilitate the frequency needed. I will extend puppy pricing until ~6 months if you desire to keep the frequent schedule, the benefits for your dog are immense.
A 12 week old first visit will start on the low end, whereas their first haircut may be the high end.
Small breed puppies: 40-50
Medium breed puppies: 40-60
Large breed puppies: 50-60
Giant breed puppies: 50-80
what's included in a puppy intro visit?
The long term goal of puppy intros is to desensitize them over time to every service I offer. Most puppies are able to receive every single service the first time, but a small minority do require services pushed to the second visit.
My priority list:
The core of any intro visit is the bath, blow dry, and brush.
We will take numerous breaks off the table to decompress and build a personal bond.
We will introduce the dremel for nails, teeth gel and handling of the mouth.
We will spend time working with shears around the face and paws.
We will slowly introduce clippers for use on the sanitary and paw pads.
We will gently wipe out the ears.
We will work on general handling: feet, legs, face.
In later visits we will do either very light body clipper work, or spend time using the butt of the clippers to pretend.
We do not utilize hydromassage on puppies.
We do not request perfection from puppies. They both wiggle excessively, and puppy coat is soft and unforgiving.
We do not under any circumstance push a puppy to do something that will damage their relationship with grooming or myself. If it is better off left for the next visit, it will be.
My priority list:
The core of any intro visit is the bath, blow dry, and brush.
We will take numerous breaks off the table to decompress and build a personal bond.
We will introduce the dremel for nails, teeth gel and handling of the mouth.
We will spend time working with shears around the face and paws.
We will slowly introduce clippers for use on the sanitary and paw pads.
We will gently wipe out the ears.
We will work on general handling: feet, legs, face.
In later visits we will do either very light body clipper work, or spend time using the butt of the clippers to pretend.
We do not utilize hydromassage on puppies.
We do not request perfection from puppies. They both wiggle excessively, and puppy coat is soft and unforgiving.
We do not under any circumstance push a puppy to do something that will damage their relationship with grooming or myself. If it is better off left for the next visit, it will be.