One of the joys of being a professional pet groomer is that sometimes we actually do get to play with puppies. Introducing puppies to the experience of being groomed can be lots of fun but can also be challenging. A young dog’s first grooming experience can lay the groundwork for how it copes with being handled in this way for the remainder of its life.
It is often a good idea to keep the first visit brief with very young dogs. We refer to this introductory appointment as “Puppy 101.” In most cases, the puppy is bathed and conditioned, has its ears cleaned and nails trimmed, a fluff dry, then a “3 F” trim, where we tidy up the face, feet, and fanny (sanitary trim.)
For many puppies, it is the face trimming that is the most challenging part. A buzzing, vibrating trimmer or shiny scissors around their sensitive eyes and ears are often enough to frighten a young animal. Some puppies are more challenging to train to accept facial grooming than others. They are fearful of the process and struggle and wiggle, making it nearly impossible to harmlessly trim the hair that needs to be removed. This seems to be especially true of dogs with short muzzles and large eyes, such as Shih Tzu.
A groomer friend of mine taught me a fabulous trick to help ease puppies into learning how to accept having their faces trimmed safely. Here is how:
- In your dominant hand, grasp the trimmer or scissors you want to use on the puppy. If using a trimmer, start with it off, then after a moment or two, turn it on so the puppy can become accustomed to the sound.
- With your non-dominant hand, gently but firmly hold the puppy’s chin.
- Using the littlest finger of your dominant hand (and still holding the trimmer or scissors), gently tap, tap, tap on the bridge of the puppy’s nose. This will surprise the puppy, but it will soon see there is nothing to fear. Speak in a calm, soothing voice as you tap.
- When the puppy stops wiggling and calms as it gets used to this strange but harmless thing you are doing to its face, swoop in with your trimmer or scissors and cut a bit of hair.
- Resume the tapping a few more times.
- Swoop and trim.
- Repeat as necessary.
Most puppies will lose their fear of the process within minutes and quickly learn to accept the needed facial trimming. I hope you will try this tap-and-swoop method the next time you get to “play with puppies” and help teach them to be calm and confident grooming citizens.
By Daryl Conner, MPS, MCG
Daryl Conner has been devoted to making dogs and cats more comfortable and beautiful for almost 40 years. You can find her happily working at FairWinds Grooming Studio with her daughter and infant granddaughter, or typing away at her latest grooming-related article. Daryl was awarded both a Cardinal Crystal Award and Barkleigh Honors Award for journalism. She shares her meadow-hugged antique Maine farmhouse with her practically perfect husband and too many animals.
