It's Puppy and Kitten season!!

Yorkie Puppy

With summer finally arrived it is puppy and kitten season! With many families starting their vacations summer and late spring are the ideal time to bring home that new family member!

Then begins the house training, don't eat that! Don't bite this! Add the basics such as walking on a leash, sit, stay and come and you have fun filled and challenging days!

An important part of socializing your puppy is introducing him or her to grooming! At the very least they will need a nail clip every six to eight weeks and most will need the occasional bath.




Poodle Mix Puppies

Haircut puppies such as the Yorkie, poodle or poodle mixes, and some terrier breeds will need a haircut or trim every 1 - 2 months. Shedding dogs such as the golden, Labrador and collie will also need a bath every 2 - 3 months depending on their environment and long coated breeds will need a tidy up and some light trimming.

Labra-doodle Puppy

Some things you can practice at home to make grooming an enjoyable instead of tear filled experience (for both of you!) are:

- Touch paws, toe nails, between the toes, legs and all over as much as possible. Even if you are not going to clip nails your self hold up a nail clipper to each nail and give lots of praise. If you puppy fusses- persist gently and then when they relax reward!!

- DO a gently puppy massage every day as many times as possible- best to do during a quiet time! Start with the neck and chest and with gently hands touch your puppy all over!!

- Manners!! Basic obedience skills and socialization are crucial for you lifetime of happiness together! Invest in a good class, google training, go to the library and try to focus on positive reinforcement methods meaning your pup is rewarded for good behaviour (meaning it is more likely repeated) and discouraged from bad behaviour (will likely decrease).

-Get thee to a groomer!! At the very least your puppy should visit a kind, gentle groomer with experience handling puppies at least once before they are sixteen weeks! This ensures that they are familiar with the procedures BEFORE that first long haircut appointment.

Persian Kitten

Welcoming a new kitten to your home is always a joy although also needs time, training and patience! From introducing the litter pan to training what to bite or not to bite while teething to stay off of the drapes!!

Grooming is also crucial for kittens to be started as young as possible. Long haired breeds that are prone to matting need to be brushed and combed on a daily basis. Short haired breeds also need to be brushed weekly to help prevent that dreaded hairball. Ears are cleaned and nails clipped (even back nails for declawed cats!) The occasional bath can also be needed for flea treatments or the kitten that gets into the paint!

Tips to make grooming easier:

- Touch and massage your kitten every single day all over especially feet and nails! If you are not going to trim them yourself then hold the clippers to each nail praising as you go. Choose a quiet time for this activity!

- Get thee to a groomer!! Introduce your kitten to a groomer BEFORE 16 weeks at minimum. Especially those breeds prone to matting that may need a haircut.

Tips For Both!

-Softly touch and the brush of the fur (gently of course!) daily for a few minutes at least.

- Introduce the comb the same way. Softly comb through the hair gently for at least a few minutes every day careful not to snag at tangles!

-Touch each nail with clippers even if you are not clipping them yourself and praise. If your pet cries, screams and wiggles stay calm and persist. Letting go and stopping only teaches him or her that if they make a fuss...we stop and let go! Not good with a lifetime of nail trims ahead of them!

- Use tearless and hypo-allergenic shampoos formulated specifically for kittens and puppies and read the label carefully.

- Use only puppy or kitten formulated products and read the label carefully. Flea products especially should not be used under 5 months without consulting your vet or groomer!

What do I need?

Rubber Curry useful for short coated breeds (and to chew on!)



Grey hound comb (also available with a handle) used for checking that all undercoat is out or gently removing matts.

Slicker Brush!!! Most important item! Use a soft slicker appropriate to the size your pet will be. Use BASE of slicker first on the coat- the tip will scratch- ask your groomer for a demo!

-Do not use human products! We have a different skin PH and this can cause skin problems and soreness!

- Ask your veterinarian, friends, co-workers and neighbours for a referall to a groomer.

Visist thier shop ahead of time if possible or ask if they can watch them with another pet. If you are not allowed a tour or to see them handle this is a warning sign! Ask if references and/or photos are available.

Ask your groomer HOW to brush if unsure! Brushing incorrectly can be painful so it is better safe then sorry.