When should you start grooming your puppy? We'll explain the preparations and things to be aware of.

Puppies need grooming a few months after birth. However, puppies are mentally unstable and vary from one another, so owners may be wondering, "When is it okay to start grooming...?".

When can puppies be groomed?

It's often said that puppies can be groomed after they're three months old. While this varies slightly depending on the grooming salon, most places allow this after they're three to four months old. It's a good idea to check with the grooming salon you plan to take your puppy to in advance.

And there's another important point to consider when taking your puppy to the grooming salon for the first time: vaccination. If your puppy hasn't been vaccinated for at least one to two weeks, you shouldn't have it groomed.

Most grooming salons require your puppy to be at least three months old and at least one to two weeks after receiving vaccinations. While owners may groom their puppies themselves, it's important to follow the same rules.

Things to do before grooming your puppy

Vaccinations are essential for your puppy's first grooming session. If you use a grooming salon, you must present a vaccination certificate. Since puppies are not vaccinated immediately after birth, you should wait until they have fully vaccinated before taking them to the grooming salon.

Grooming salons house a variety of dogs, so there is a risk of catching an infectious disease from other dogs. Puppies, in particular, are less physically active than adult dogs, so they are at greater risk of developing illnesses. Make sure your puppy has been vaccinated and has progressed well before grooming.

Why do puppies need to be vaccinated?

Vaccination is mandatory by national law

The vaccination required by national law is the "rabies vaccine."

Rabies is a disease that can infect not only dogs, but also humans. Once infected, it is a very dangerous disease that develops after an incubation period and can be fatal. Therefore, dogs must be vaccinated against rabies.

Rabies vaccination is recommended one month after the combination vaccine.

To resist various diseases

As time passes, puppies gradually lose the immunity they received from their parents. From that point on, they need to build their own immunity. At this time, administering a combination vaccine can prevent disease. The combination vaccine is administered about three times between the ages of two and three months.

Why should puppies be groomed after the age of three months?

Traumatizing

Grooming at a young age can be a traumatic experience. Puppies are vulnerable to their surroundings. Being held down for long periods of time and exposed to the sound of clippers can be frightening. Of course, there are individual differences, and some puppies are fine, but some are certainly frightened.

Some puppies can become traumatized by grooming due to such experiences. Once traumatized, subsequent grooming becomes extremely difficult. They may become violent, tremble, and refuse to even consider going to the grooming salon.

It's mentally and physically taxing

After about three months, your puppy's mental health will have stabilized somewhat, so it's okay to gradually begin shampooing and grooming. However, during puppyhood, they're curious and roaming around, so they probably aren't well-trained.

If you trim them at this age, they'll get angry and start thrashing around. You may need to use a lot of force to restrain them, and they could get injured. This puts a lot of strain on puppies, both mentally and physically.

A Step-by-Step Grooming Plan is Important

Keeping the above in mind, there's no need to immediately take your puppy to the groomer just because he's over three months old. If possible, it's better to get him used to grooming gradually.

At the grooming salon, your puppy will experience unfamiliar surroundings, unfamiliar people, haircuts, and shampooing all at once. If everything is new to them, it can be very stressful. It's a good idea to let your puppy experience things a little at a time before taking them to the grooming salon.

Try giving your puppy a few home shampoos beforehand, taking him to unfamiliar places, and encouraging him to interact with unfamiliar people. By getting him used to various things in this way, he will feel less anxious and stressed when he goes to the grooming salon for the first time.

By giving your puppy gradual experiences leading up to the grooming salon, he will gradually become accustomed to the experience.

How to Shampoo at Home

It's okay to start shampooing your puppy at home from about 2-3 months of age, but avoid thorough shampooing that involves thoroughly wetting the entire body right from the start. This could scare the puppy and cause trauma.

For the first shampoo, it's recommended to start by shampooing only a small part of the body, such as the dirty puppies' paws or bottom.

If you want to trim your dog even outside the permitted period

Some owners may want to trim their dog's coat even outside the permitted period due to its long coat.

Even if you can't take your dog to the grooming salon due to vaccinations, trimming at home is very difficult. A small trim may be okay, but it's not recommended. Full-body trims are discouraged.

If you still want to trim your pet's hair, it's best to consult a veterinarian. Depending on the veterinarian, they may be able to trim your pet's hair for you.

Summary

It's recommended to groom puppies after they're three months old, and wait one week after vaccinations. To avoid trauma, be careful when grooming your puppy for the first time. Even after three months, depending on your puppy's personality, you may want to postpone grooming for another month or two. Determine a period of time that will not be a burden to your dog.