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One of the most common things we hear from new puppy owners is that they've been waiting until their puppy is "ready" for a full groom. The problem is that waiting too long often means an early first visit — even a short one — gives puppies a positive reference point for every groom that follows.
The timing question
The general guidance from most vets and groomers is that a puppy should have their first grooming visit shortly after completing their initial vaccination course — usually around 12 to 16 weeks of age. This first visit shouldn't be a full groom. It should be a short, positive introduction to the studio, the groomer and the basic tools.
The reasoning is straightforward: puppies have a socialisation window that closes at around 16 weeks. Positive experiences during this window — including being handled by a stranger in a new environment with unfamiliar sounds — make a lasting difference to how the dog responds to similar situations as an adult.
What a good first session should involve
A puppy's first groom at MyKindCoats is intentionally short — usually 20 to 30 minutes. We focus on:
- Getting the puppy comfortable being handled all over — paws, ears, underbelly
- Brief exposure to the sound and feel of a brush and comb
- A nail trim if the puppy tolerates it
- Possibly a bath and dry, depending on how relaxed the puppy is
We don't attempt a full breed haircut at a first session. The point is building confidence and positive associations — not getting a particular look.
What to do at home first
In the weeks before the first visit, start handling your puppy's paws, ears and mouth daily. Use a soft brush on them regularly. Let them hear a hairdryer from a distance, getting gradually closer over several days while keeping things calm and positive. These small steps make the studio visit much easier.
For curly or non-shedding breeds (Poodles, Doodles, Bichons): the first groom is especially important. These dogs will need professional grooming every 4–6 weeks for their entire lives. A positive first experience is a genuine long-term investment — a dog that tolerates grooming well is easier, cheaper and less stressed for years to come.
What about the second visit?
If the first session goes well, the second visit — usually at around 4 to 6 months, or when the adult coat starts coming through — can be longer and involve more actual grooming. By this point the puppy has a reference point for what the studio experience is: something that ends positively, with familiar people.
Dogs that have their first few grooms during the puppy period with the same groomer consistently grow up treating grooming as routine. Dogs that are first brought in at a year or two old, with no previous professional handling, often take significantly longer to settle.