How to Prepare Your Dog for Their First Grooming Appointment
Whether you’re a first-time pet owner or a seasoned dog mom who’s always had low-maintenance dogs, you may feel a bit lost when it comes to booking your dog’s very first dog grooming appointment. Rest assured, the process of booking your pet with Shampoochi Day Spa is simple and stress-free for newcomers and returning clients alike! Worried about how your precious pup might handle their first appointment? We have some tips to put your mind at ease and ensure that your pet has an amazing and positive first experience.
Don’t Wait Too Long to Book
Get Comfy in the Car
While many dogs naturally love car rides, there are also many who get very nervous – or even sick- when in a moving vehicle. For these pets, arriving for their spa day after a stressful ride can add tension to their experience. If your dog is one of the unfortunate few like this, there are a few things that can be done to help. Short practice rides around the block with lots of positive reinforcement are a great way to start. Even with plenty of exposure, some dogs will always find the car stressful. For these dogs, Shampoochi mobile grooming is the perfect solution. If you’re in the Port St. Lucie area, one of our talented staff members will bring the salon to you and eliminate the stressful car rides altogether!
Being Okay without Mom and Dad
With separation anxiety on the rise, it’s no surprise that many dogs have a hard time being away from their owners. A very simple way to help mitigate this stress for your pet is to recruit a friend to help you practice. Having them hold your dog and give them some treats while you leave the room is a great way to show your pup that everything will be okay when you need to leave them.
Get Used to Handling
Not only does your dog need to be okay with being left with new people, but they also need to be handled in ways that they may not be used to. It’s not often in their day-to-day lives that someone lifts their feet or examines the inside of their ears. Groomers must be able to safely access every part of your dog’s body to do a thorough job. Practicing holding your dog’s paws and flexing each toe, moving their tail into various positions, and holding their head still with a hand under their chin will do wonders for your dog’s confidence. Always make sure to be extremely gentle, and reward highly with praise, treats and play when finished.
Grooming Tools Don’t Have to be Scary
Once your dog is comfortable being touched and handled all over their body, you can start introducing them to some grooming tools! Of course, your Shampoochi groomer will take it nice and slow during your dogs first several visits until they are fully accustomed, but getting a head start at home will make your pup that much more comfortable during this process. Besides, you’ll need to brush and comb your furry bestie between grooms anyways, so it’s great practice for you both to start as soon as possible. Start small by only brushing a small section of their fur at a time, and as always, make sure you give lots of love and rewards for their cooperation!
Start Small
If your dog is struggling with any of these steps, it’s a good idea to start small with their spa visits. Instead of scheduling them for a full groom for their first time, consider getting just a bath and brush, or even just a nail trim. This is a great way to keep the visit short and stress-free. It won’t be long until your pup is excited to get to the salon and see their favorite Shampoochi groomers.
At Shampoochi Day Spa, we are more than happy to accommodate first- time guests, no matter their experience or comfort level. However, following this guide of dog grooming tips can ensure that your pet is as comfortable and happy with the process as possible. Preparing your pet for their first groom doesn’t have to be complicated. Working at their pace to introduce them to each aspect of grooming and being sure to make it fun and rewarding for them is a surefire way to ease your mind and have them excited for their Shampoochi Spa days.
