Puppy grooming program
Grooming is not just cosmetic — it’s an essential part of your puppy’s comfort, confidence, and development. By starting early and choosing gentle, professional puppy grooming, you’re investing in a lifetime of calm, happy grooming experiences.
I offer a gentle, introduction to grooming for your puppy
Your puppy’s first grooming experiences shape how they feel about grooming for life. My Puppy Grooming Program is designed to create calm, positive associations from the very beginning — using patience, kindness, and expert handling in a relaxed, one-to-one environment.
When Should Puppy Grooming Begin?
At Home:
Grooming should start as soon as your puppy comes home. Short, positive sessions help build trust and confidence.
Introduce brushing and combing gently
Allow your puppy to sniff and explore tools
Keep sessions brief and rewarding
Gradually introduce touch to ears, paws, legs, tail, and mouth
This early handling helps your puppy feel safe and relaxed when being groomed.
At a Professional Grooming Salon:
We recommend researching a professional puppy groomer as soon as you know you’re getting a puppy. Experienced groomers often book in advance, and early planning ensures the best start.
Puppies can be introduced to the salon from 12–13 weeks of age, allowing them to experience grooming in a calm, structured, and compassionate way — learning at their own pace.
Choosing the Right Groomer
A quality groomer should offer:
Experience with your puppy’s breed and coat
A calm, patient, and knowledgeable approach
A clean, safe, and quiet environment
One-to-one grooming where possible
A focus on your puppy’s wellbeing above all else
Why Puppies Need Specialist Grooming Care
Puppies experience grooming salons very differently to adult dogs. New sights, sounds, smells, and sensations can feel overwhelming if introduced too quickly.
My Puppy Grooming Program focuses on gradual desensitisation over 8–10 weeks, ensuring grooming becomes a calm, enjoyable routine rather than a source of stress or fear later in life.
The Puppy Grooming Package
(Each program is gently tailored to suit your puppy’s individual needs.)
Visit One – A Calm Welcome
Your puppy’s first visit is all about comfort and confidence.
Time to explore and settle into the salon
You remain with your puppy throughout
Gentle handling of feet, ears, face, and tail
Play, praise, and positive reinforcement
A consultation to discuss breed, coat, and future grooming needs
Light trimming (nails, hygiene or face tidy) may be included if appropriate.
Visits Two to Four – Building Confidence
Across the next three visits, your puppy is gradually introduced to:
Bathing and water
Salon sounds and equipment
Dryers, clippers, scissors, brushes, and combs
Increased handling and grooming techniques
These sessions build trust, familiarity, and confidence — allowing your puppy to feel relaxed and secure.
Ongoing Support
You may be given simple guidance to practise at home between visits. Grooming is a wonderful bonding experience and helps reinforce everything your puppy learns in the salon.
Exclusive Puppy Package Gifts
Taking the Grrr Out of Grooming by Sue Williamson
A professionally selected brush (and comb if required)
A luxury 30ml perfume spritz, chosen for your puppy
A Puppy Grooming Graduation Certificate
After Graduation
Once your puppy has completed the Puppy Grooming Program, we recommend regular grooming appointments to maintain a healthy coat and skin, prevent matting, and support overall wellbeing.
Grooming frequency depends on breed and coat type, but consistency is essential. Appointments can be booked in advance, with Direct Debit payment options available for ease.
I also offer gentle, non-invasive dog teeth cleaning, providing a calm, sedation-free alternative to traditional veterinary cleaning. So during the first 12 months of your puppies life, this is a great time to introduce them to teeth cleaning, so that it is positive again and preventative care , rather than reactive care, when you dog has mouth full of teeth covered it tartar.