Puppy Socialization & Training Grooming Package
Puppies that schedule a Puppy Socialization & Training Grooming Package will receive my Puppy Training Packet, filled with puppy training information on house training, crate training, play biting, grooming socialization, and basic obedience, as well as complimentary gifts: a slicker brush, a comb, ear cleaner, dental care finger wipes, eye wipes, and paw balm & a treat!
Puppy Training Grooming Packages are designed for puppies less than 6 months old. Puppies should be scheduled for their first appointment prior to 14 weeks old, and recur every 4 weeks for 4 total appointments. Ex) 10 weeks, 14 weeks, 18 weeks, 22 weeks.
Puppies most readily accept new experience prior to 14 weeks old. This is called their "socialization window." After this window closes, they are more difficult to socialize and train. I aim to prevent fearful and aggressive behavior toward the groomer through this early socialization and training. With me, puppies will become accustomed to all the things they will experience at the groomer's throughout their lifetime: ear cleaning, bathing, blow drying, brushing, clippers, scissors, and toenails trimming and dremeling (nail filing using a dremel tool). Puppies will learn to sit, stand, turn around, cooperate, and accept restraint methods necessary for safe grooming. (A lot of this training will also benefit your puppy at the veterinarian!) I take the time to slow down, and teach puppies through positive reinforcement and praise because I know the importance of early experiences and the effect those early experiences have on a puppy's lifetime view of grooming.
Puppy Full Grooming Training Package -
Small Puppy $250, Medium $275
These puppies need to learn to tolerate the bath, ear cleaning, ear plucking, blow-drying, brushing, combing, clippers, scissoring, toenail trimming and dremeling.
During the first initial grooming visits, I trim face, feet, and private areas. Without cutting the length off of their puppy coat, I let puppy look, smell, hear and feel the vibration of the clippers. Gradually puppies may graduate to full haircuts as they progress with their socialization and training. Many puppies are cooperative and willing to receive a full haircut by the 3rd to 4th appointment, IF a full grooming haircut is desired.
4 grooming visits spaced 4 weeks apart.
Double Coated Puppy Bath & Brush Training Package -
Small Puppy $175, Medium $200
These puppies need to learn to tolerate the bath, ear cleaning, blow-drying and brushing & de-shedding tools to make the most of their de-shedding treatments once they reach maturity and are shedding all over your home!
4 grooming visits spaced 4 weeks apart
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Shorthaired/Smooth Coated Puppy Bath & Toenail Training Package -
Small Puppy $125, Medium Puppy $150
These puppies need to learn to behave for baths, ear cleaning, blow drying and toenail trims too!
(Puppy Packets - minus brush and comb)
4 grooming visits spaced 4 weeks apart
Socialization to Handling & Grooming
We want our pet dogs to be comfortable with people, and to be relaxed about handling and grooming, so that these things are not scary or unpleasant. Your dog's vet and groomer also would appreciate your dog being used to being handled! Puppies that aren't exposed to the grooming process early can become adult dogs that are frightened at the groomer. They may struggle, thrash around, flail, vocalize by whining, screaming or barking, or even scratch or bite, which is dangerous when we are working with sharp tools. Scared dogs live a very stressful life, so please do not let your puppy grow up to be a scared dog!
Do the handling activities listed below, making sure that he is introduced to new experiences gradually, and that he gets lots of praise and treats. If your puppy begins to nip you while handling, provide a toy, treat, lick mat, slow feeder or food puzzle for puppy to keep its mouth busy instead!
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EARS: Massage, gently tug on, lift, and look inside your puppy's ear. Gently clean inside his ears with ear cleaner and a cotton ball or tissue.
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EYES: Use a damp, warm wash cloth to gently wipe under your puppy's eyes. Give a treat after!
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GROOMING: Brush his coat – at first just a few strokes at a time. Gently brush around his entire body – careful not to brush too hard or in one place too long. Brush his coat early and often to prevent tangles and matting. Never yank, tug, or de-matt a puppy. Brushing should be a soothing, calm experience.
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MOUTH: Get him used to having his mouth opened and examined by you. Praise your puppy and work your way up to puppy allowing you to count his teeth! Teeth brushing can also be a positive way to introduce mouth handling – use a very tasty dog-specific toothpaste (NEVER human tooth paste which may contain xylitol which is toxic to dogs!). At first, let puppy taste and do just a few strokes at a time. You can even train them to accept being given a pill by pretending you are giving him a pill by touching the back of his tongue with your finger, and then immediately reward with a high value treat or a syringe full of dog treat paste!
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FEET: Massage and touch his paws and nails. Gently squeezing each paw. Gently squeeze each toenail. You can also use soothing, re-moisturizing paw balm on his toe pads! You can also use a nail file – do just one swipe per nail at first, rewarding frequently, and work your way up to actually filing the nails smooth.
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BATHS: Get him used to baths by putting him in the tub for treats: first with no water at all, then with a little puddle to play in. Eventually get him used to running water, being wet, and finally being shampooed and rinsed.
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HANDLING: Have everyone in your family, friends, and strangers pet and handle your puppy. Ask people to stare at your puppy close up, give him tight cuddles, gently tug his tail, fiddle with his paws, play with his toes, grab him by the collar , lean over him and pick him up.
Don't forget to plan regular “happy visits” to your vet and groomer between 8 – 14 weeks old so that you can make the most of your puppy's important socialization window, or the time in which their little developing brains are most susceptible to new experiences!
FAQ: When should I schedule my puppy for its first groom?
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If you wait until puppy "needs" a haircut, you've waited too long!
You want to get puppy into a groomer well before they need their first haircut. This is because their socialization window, or the time in which their little developing brains most readily accept new experiences, begins to close by 14 weeks old. It's really important they have at least a couple happy experience at the groomer prior to 14 weeks old. I want puppies to have their first visit between 8 - 14 weeks old, and stay on a 4 - 6 week schedule throughout their first year of life so that they learn grooming is a normal part of their life. The first visit can be as soon as they've had at least one vaccine, and should not be a full haircut. A Bath & Tidy, or bath and light trim of the hair in front of their eyes, on their feet, and private areas is a great way to give them a short, positive introduction to the groomer. During this intro the puppy also begins its training on how to behave and sit still for the grooming process. I use treats and praise, adjust the dryers lower, and take my time with puppies to make sure it is a positive experience. Puppies that aren't exposed to the grooming process early can become adult dogs that are frightened at the groomer. They may struggle, thrash around, flail, vocalize by whining, screaming or barking, or even scratch or bite, which is dangerous when we are working with sharp tools. I want the puppy to learn to feel comfortable with me and to learn to behave properly before they get too big or strong.
*Do not feed puppy its meal prior to appointment so that they will be hungry. Bring puppy's favorite treats with you, and ask the groomer to reward the puppy throughout the grooming experience.
FAQ: Shouldn't I wait until my puppy is fully vaccinated?
The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior has this to say about early socialization:
"The primary and most important time for puppy socialization is the first three months of life. During this time puppies should be exposed to as many new people, animals, stimuli and environments as can be achieved safely and without causing overstimulation manifested as excessive fear, withdrawal or avoidance behavior. For this reason, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior believes that it should be the standard of care for puppies to receive such socialization before they are fully vaccinated."
"In general, puppies can start puppy socialization classes as early as 7-8 weeks of age. Puppies should receive a minimum of one set of vaccines at least 7 days prior to the first class and a first deworming. They should be kept up-to-date on vaccines throughout the class."
https://avsab.org/resources/position-statements/