𝗕𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘆 🐾 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗹𝗲

🐾 When should a doodle puppy visit the groomer for the first time?

Bailey is 16 weeks old, so we’re looking into his first appointment! There’s no single perfect age: it depends on your puppy’s vaccines, your vet’s advice, and the groomer’s requirements. But grooming practice can start at home much earlier with a few gentle brush strokes, paw handling, and treats (American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior; AKC).

Do puppies need every shot first? Grooming salons have different rules. Since the distemper/parvo puppy series typically continues through 16 weeks, we’re checking Bailey’s vaccine record with our vet before booking (American Animal Hospital Association).

Our vet also recommended the Bordetella vaccine because grooming salons can mean close contact with other dogs. It helps protect against one cause of contagious respiratory illness, but it doesn’t prevent every kind of “kennel cough” (AAHA).

For his first visit, we’re hoping for a gentle introduction bath, brushing, nails, and a little trimming only if he’s comfortable. The goal is a good experience, not a perfect haircut! And until then, we’ll keep brushing at home so tangles don’t get ahead of us (AKC; VCA Animal Hospitals). 🧡

How old was your doodle at their first groom?