When to Start Grooming?

[Hazel & Chester Wayte]

Hello

 I am a new GD Puppy owner of Chester. He is 9 weeks old. I am wondering if it is too soon to take him to a groomer-

The Breeder mentioned a 'Lamb ' cut for his first cut but I am not sure when.

Just for a little trim around his eyes. He also has a bit of fur on his paws which cause a little skidding on the laminate floor. I know he will not sit quietly while this is done.

 

Do you take a treat or toy into these places? or would that cause chaos around other dogs being groomed?

 

Any Advice would be helpful

Thanks

Hazel

[Deb, Connor & Simon]

First, congrats on your new GD puppy. As a goldendoodle owner, I can honestly say they are just about the sweetest, smartest and funniest dogs you will ever meet...to say nothing of beautiful/handsome. :-)

I would wait until Chester is at least 12 weeks old before taking him to the groomer. That way he will have had his third set of puppy immunizations and should have a decent amount of immunity. Check with your vet on this also, though.

For his first few groomer visits, I would suggest just doing a light comb-out, trimming around feet, eyes and sanitary areas. He will not even need a "puppy cut" for a while. Your main goal is to get him used to and comfortable with the most basic grooming processes and feeling good about a positive experience.

Please post lots of pics as your little guy grows up.

Connor & Simon send happy doodle woofs and wags. :-)

[Deb, Connor & Simon]

P.S. Not a good idea for treats and toys until you're in the car. Again making everything a happy, positive experience.

[Elizabeth & *Kosci*.]

Congratulations. Welcome to DK. I haven't trimmed my Groodle yet, ( just eyes ) she is 16 weeks, but every evening when I watch tv, I will gently comb Kosci, so she get used to being groomed and hopefully won't get any matts.
I have a small handful of treats so it's all sweet and pleasant, and she is sleepy so happy to lie down and stay.( it only takes 10-15 minutes ) enjoy you puppy. They are the 'best'.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We got Ned at 3 1/2 months and took him to the groomer that week.  She just bathed and gave him a little trim. I didn't like the way she did his face, but it made his eyes just bore into your soul and it was chosen for the doodle calendar. (Guess we know nothing). We feel that it is important for the dog to develop grooming skills and if the groomer begins young, it is not a huge ordeal for the dog.

[Teri & Clover]

I took Clover to the groomer's after all of her shots were up to date. The basics...but I was happy they did a sanitary cut. She got a bit messy, and this made life much easier for me (especially when I was taking her out every few hours). She went to the groomer's today. She leaped up the steps and couldn't wait to spend time with her friends Becky and Kelly. I think we timed her second grooming so that it was after the big fear stage.

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

Awww, congratulations on your new baby! 

I started Lachlan at 10 weeks myself: gently brushing with a soft bristle brush, handling his feet and playing between his toes, trimming just the tips of his nails, playing with his mouth and very gently rubbing his gums with a fingertip, cleaning his ears with a cotton ball, letting him hear the clippers and hair dryer ... anything to get him used to being handled and groomed, so by the first time he actually got groomed everything was familiar to him and he was all "eh, okay, wake me when you're done."

[Hazel & Chester Wayte]

Thanks everyone..I will wait till he is at least 10 weeks. I wasn't thinking about the relationship with grooming and all his needles.Funny when I called the groomer for advice as to when- she was 'Bring him down anytime the earlier the better- no cautions about immunizations..' I might look for a different groomer.

I think that Photo of Ned is sweet.. his eyes do bore into my heart!

We have bathed and brushed Chester but no ears and gums yet..

Thanks again

Hazel + Chester

[Lynda Kamrath]

It is important for you to get him accustomed to grooming before taking him to a stranger to get groomed.  I would always start with ears and feet.  Checking between their toes on a regular basis gets them accustomed to having their feet handled.  Ears should have the soft hair on the insides plucked out.  Combing and brushing are another way to get him used to being handled.  If you are really brave you could crop the hair around his eyes.  The most important thing - enjoy your puppy.