Keeping a puppy calm and still enough to groom can be quite a challenge.  Grooming involves several steps, all of which are difficult for a wiggly puppy to sit through patiently.  Washing, brushing, nail trimming and clipping can all be enjoyable activities for a young puppy once he gets used to doing them.   Participating in grooming teaches a puppy good socialization skills, which carry over into many other areas.  Being comfortable with a groomer can also help a puppy learn how to interact with a variety of people, including the vet, pet sitters, visitors and children.

The best thing an owner can do to prepare a puppy for his first trip to the groomer is ensure he can tolerate being touched.   Prepare him by regularly rubbing his ears and paws, in addition to any other areas where he might resist being handled.

Getting Your Pup Used To Nail Trimming

Nail trimming can be a difficult task with dogs of all ages, so it’s important to teach a puppy to tolerate it when he is young.   The earlier an owner begins nail trimming, the easier it will be as the puppy ages.

Here are some tips to prepare a puppy for his first nail trim:

1. The first step is to teach the puppy to tolerate having his paws touched.  In your first session, rub each of your puppy’s paws for as long as he will tolerate it.  Reward him with a treat when you finish, and praise him profusely.

2. When he’s comfortable having his paws touched, you can start to manipulate his paws a little more.  If he’s comfortable with this, click the clippers to introduce him to the sound and then reward him with a treat.

3. Next time, rub and wiggle his toes. Press lightly on the paw pads and gently touch the nail.  Go slow and stay calm and relaxed.  Let the puppy see and sniff the clippers, and click them a few times.   Again, reward with a treat and lots of praise.

4. Keep introducing the clippers to the puppy, letting him sniff them as much as he wants.  Keep those treats handy!

5. The next step is a little trickier.  When he’s used to the sound the clippers make, start introducing the actions needed to trim his nails by lightly placing the tip of the nail in between the blades of the clipper.  Don’t squeeze hard enough to cut into the nail, but apply a small amount of pressure.  Release the nail, offer a treat and praise again. 

6. When the puppy is completely comfortable with the above steps, it’s time to actually trim his nails.  Don’t rush, and remember to stay calm and use a soothing voice.  Carefully place each nail into the clipper to avoid nipping the nail quick and praise him in between each clip.  When you’re finished, lavish your newly manicured pup with love and attention for behaving so well.