Be your own foo-foo parlor

Don’t you just love snuggling on your fur baby?? All the pets…. and rubs… twirling of the ears… and stroking those paws… This is a GOOD thing! Keep doing it!

Let’s take a look at our Pup Tip #6 (included in your starter kit) and do a deeper dive.

Pup Tip #6: Get you puppy used to being groomed

• Brushing, bathing and cleaning your puppy will help when they go to the vet for check-ups. No one wants to be “that person” with the dog that can’t be touched at the vet.

• Start slowly and gradually introduce your puppy to grooming tools. A brush is a natural first tool to get your puppy used to being around a brush AND getting brushed.

• If your puppy is resistant to grooming, don’t force it. Start with short sessions and use positive reinforcement techniques. Take your puppy outside with a brush and make it fun. Or, even brush them while they are sleeping. When they start to wake up you’ll be mid brush stroke.

• There’s no set schedule for how often you need to groom your puppy. The important thing is to get them accustomed to grooming, like brushing or touching their feet and ears. Pet vets are easy and playing with your puppy down the road is easier.

• Trim your puppy’s nails a small amount at a time. Or, if you’re like me, have someone else do it. But play with puppies paws so they don’t mind those nail trims.

It’s important to have good grooming habits when your puppy is young so that your grown dog doesn’t freak out about grooming. Most importantly, grooming your puppy will keep them clean and fresh smelling.

When I brought Rylee home I was ALWAYS playing with and petting his paws, rubbing and touching his paws, twirling his “mama’s ears” - cuz they are mine. ;) And even touching his mouth and teeth. One of these days, I’m going to finally brush his teeth! ha But I did all this - and still do - because when we go to a vet or someone comes to trim his nails, he knows its just normal life. Nothing scary. In fact, you might find that your fur baby loves all the touchy feely things your doing with paws, ears, teeth, and fur. So do it.

Overall benefit of doing these easy tips… is that your puppy will grow to be healthy and allow others to help KEEP him/her healthy. :)