What grooming tools do you need to buy for a 8 week old puppy?

[Smita, Ollie and Juno]

We are getting our little labradoodle puppy on the 23rd. I am currently getting all the stuff together for the puppy. I have a collar, leash, food/water bowl and a crate. I am wondering what I need to get for grooming. I want him to be comfortable with being handle and groomed before he learns to dislike it. All I have got so far for grooming is a puppy shampoo and a puppy slicker brush. Any tips are appreciated. I did a search here but didn't come up with anything much. Thank you in advance.
Kassie

[Candy & Hudson]

You will also want nail clippers, I bought a set with a guard so I can only cut the tip. I also bought a pair of blunt-ended scissors for trimming around the eyes. A metal comb would also be good to get your puppy used to, as regular brushing should be done with a slicker AND a comb (if the comb doesn't slide through, keep brushing!) If you plan to do ALL of the grooming, you will want a set of clippers and attachments, but I have yet to venture that far :)
Good luck, and congratulations on your puppy!!

[Dori & Rua]

We got our little girl 3 weeks ago and she is now 11 weeks old. I read that you should get them used to being touched...so, I started by doing little massages right away. She will let me rub and massage her all over now...in fact, she'll just lay on her back between my legs and enjoy. We have taken 3 baths already...again, she lets me rub and massage the shampoo and then conditioner into her. At this point, she only weighs a bit over 5 lbs. so I can easiler brush her with a regular pin brush. Now, nail trimming is another story. I got a Dremel before she arrived and she was somewhat OK with it the first week she was here (I tried to do a nail or two at a time). This weekend, though, we brought it out and she was NOT impressed....I still have scratch marks. So, we gotta work on that. So, my advice is to get your puppy used to all of the touching, rubbing, brushing, etc., right away. Can't wait to see pictures!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Pay particular attention to the feet and the ears when you are rubbing as these are two areas that it is very important for them to get used to your handling. We have both the dog dremmel tool for toe nails and the pedi paw. The girls will tolerate the pedi paw just fine -- the dremmel they hate. It is also very hard with the dremmel not to get their hair caught in it because there is no guard.

[Smita, Ollie and Juno]

Thank you Candy and Dori.
Candy, that really helps. I will try to get all those things. I am a little nervous about cutting puppy's nails.
We have a hair cutting clipper set at home. I wonder whether that will work or will I need special pet hair clippers?
By the way, Hudson is adorable!!
Dori, You're so right about getting them used to it. That's what all the books I've read (and that is a lot of books) say about puppies. Massaging seems like an excellent idea. I'll surely post a lot of pictures when he gets here! I enjoy reading your blog and Rua is a gorgeous little girl!

[Candy & Hudson]

Thanks, we think he's pretty cute! :)

Regarding the clippers; I have seen people on here who say they use regular 'human' clippers so they should be fine! You won't need them for a while but you can use the sounds and vibration of the clippers to help your puppy get used to those as well. Turn them on and just rest the back side of the clippers on different parts of your puppies body!

[Smita, Ollie and Juno]

That's a great idea!! Thanks. This forum is invaluable for a novice like me.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Or you can start looking for a good groomer! We brush our guys a lot and use dematting things on Ned, but we let our groomer cut and trim and bathe. When we have bathed Ned ourselves we have had matting to deal with, so we try not to bathe him.

[Smita, Ollie and Juno]

Thank you, Nancy. I am definitely on the lookout for a good groomer too. I do want him to be used to home grooming too so he gets used to the process. I'll just have to wait and see how his coat turns out :-)

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

Puppy coats are designed by nature to be pretty easy maintenance. That's why the coat change catches people unaware. Just getting your puppy used to brushing [any brush] and combing [steel comb] and standing on a table is what is required.

As adults more is required.

My top 3 must have items />
Steel comb
scissors
high velocity forced air blower
With these 3 tools, I can keep my dogs groomed. I have a lot of specialty tools too, but those 3 are my most important allies.
Next 3 on my list
Various Les Poochs brushes from soft yellow to red MattZapper
nail clippers
clipper and blades 40 to 3/4
Last 3, but still important to me
Tool for pulling ear hair
slicker brush for sensitive puppies and adult tummies
standing high heat blow dryer
For products
/> Shampoo
Creme rinse
Leave in conditioner
Detangling product
Ear powder for plucking hair
Ear cleaner
Baby Powder to assist in brushing a matted coat
Waterless shampoo for spot washing

[Smita, Ollie and Juno]

Thank you very much!! I am going to save this list to my computer for future reference.