4 Ways to Prepare Your Pup for the Dog Groomer
Dogs can sometimes be spooked by their first trip to the groomers, as they are encountering different smells, other animals, and a totally new environment! Despite the initial skepticism, many dogs will learn to love their time at the groomer due to the pampering, head pats, and tender care given during their appointment.
You might be asking yourself, “What are the best ways to prepare my dog for the groomer?” If you’ve struggled to make going to the groomer’s a positive experience for your pup, or you just want to ensure they get the most out of your time and money, we’ve put together a few tips!
Grooming for Dogs: The Basics
The type of grooming services best suited for your dog will vary, which is why most groomers offer a variety of options. Standard grooming appointments may offer or consist of bathing, coat trimming and brushing, ear cleaning, nail trimming, de-shedding, and teeth brushing.
Your dog may require more frequent trips to groomers depending on their breed. Typically, long-haired dogs will require specialty maintenance as it is necessary to maintain the health of their coat and prevent matting, whereas short-haired dogs may only require the basics. You can learn more about the type of grooming your dog would benefit from most by talking to a grooming professional.
Benefits of Taking Your Dog to the Groomer
Before we get into the four best ways to prepare dogs for groomer appointments, we thought it relevant to address some of the ways your pup will benefit from making the groomer part of their monthly or multi-monthly routine:
- Baths and combing help to maintain a shiny, healthy coat
- Nail trimmings help with balance, posture, and comfort
- Early detection of issues with ears, skin, and sensitive areas
- Preventing excessive shedding around the house
- Your dog will look and smell great!
4 Ways to Prepare Your Dog for the Groomer’s
Taking your dog into a new environment can be nerve-racking at first! Luckily, there are steps you can take at home to ensure your pet’s comfort. Here are some foolproof tips and tricks to prepare dogs for the groomer.
1. Start at Home
One of the best ways to prepare your dog for groomer appointments is by getting them familiar with what to expect while they are there. This includes performing several bonding exercises with your dog such as:
- Regularly brushing around their mid-section, legs, tail, and face
- Gently handling their ears, mouth, and face
- Wiggling and massaging their paws and toenails
2. Schedule Grooming Appointments Ahead of Time
Prevent missing an appointment by scheduling one ahead of time and making sure it’s noted on your calendar. Scheduling ahead will also ensure that you won’t need to delay grooming due to availability at the groomer.
3. Keep Up with Grooming at Home
Once you’ve gotten into a routine of taking your dog to the groomer regularly, it’s incredibly important to maintain their well-being in-between grooming appointments. Not only does this allow you to prolong the time between appointments and save money, but it ensures that your dog will always be feeling his or her best. Some things you can do at home with little to no equipment include:
- Brushing
- Ear cleaning
- Nail trimming
4. Find a Trusted Provider You and Your Pet Love!
Just as important as the previous three steps we mentioned, finding a trusted provider who loves your pet and is cognizant of their needs is crucial to ensuring their overall comfort at the groomer’s. Like any service provider, we would encourage you to:
- Research services offered by the groomer
- Check out recent reviews if available
- Ask them lots of questions!
At Pet Palace, we are confident in our caring, friendly staff to take great care of your dog during their next grooming appointment. Plus, our grooming services are offered at all eleven of our Pet Palace Resort locations:
If you’d like to learn more about the types of grooming services we offer, fill out an inquiry form today!
Preparing Dogs for the Groomer’s Made Simple with Pet Palace!
Preparing dogs for groomer appointments seems pretty simple, right? That’s because it is! By incorporating a few or all these steps into your dog’s routine, you can ensure their comfort, and, as a result, your bond with them for years to come!
Contact us to get started!
Categories: Dogs, Pet Grooming, Tips for Your Pets