Before the first groom

Preparing Your Puppy

A little preparation at home goes a long way to making your puppy's first professional groom a positive experience — for them, and for you.

How to set your puppy up for grooming success.

1

Brush daily

Get your puppy used to being brushed from an early age. Short, positive sessions build familiarity with the sensation — and prevent matting from taking hold as the coat develops.

2

Gently hold face & paws

Groomers spend a lot of time around heads, ears and paws. Regularly and gently holding your puppy's face and paws — with treats and praise — teaches them these touches are safe and normal.

3

Regular home bathing

Bathing at home between grooms reduces anxiety around water. Keep sessions warm, calm and positive. Make sure you dry them thoroughly afterwards to avoid skin issues and cold.

4

Get used to dryers & loud noises

A blow dryer can be alarming for puppies the first time. Gradually introduce them to the sound at home — from a distance, at low speed — before their first salon visit. Treats and calm energy help enormously.

5

Practice training commands

Basic commands — sit, stay, stand — make the grooming process smoother and less stressful for your dog. A puppy that responds to gentle direction feels more confident and in control.

6

Slowly introduce nail trimming & ear cleaning

Use nail clippers and cotton pads at home so your puppy becomes familiar with these tools before encountering them in the salon. Introduce gradually, one small step at a time.

7

Lots of exercise beforehand

A well-exercised dog is a calmer dog. A good walk or play session before a grooming appointment helps your puppy arrive relaxed rather than full of pent-up energy.

Complimentary

Book an EmBARKing Session first.

For puppies and first-timers, the EmBARKing Session is a free 10–15 minute nose-around before any grooming appointment. Your puppy explores the space on their own terms, with no scissors or clippers involved. Highly recommended before the first groom.

Enquire to Book

Ready for your puppy's first groom?

Send us a booking enquiry with your puppy's name, breed, weight and age — we'll guide you through the rest.

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