At Hearty K9s, we handle our pups daily from birth, touching their feet and using various techniques as they grow so they become comfortable with being handled. The best thing you can do is continue this when you bring your puppy home.

Start Your Grooming Session With Touch

Getting your puppy comfortable with being handled is the foundation of stress-free grooming. Here are some simple things to practice regularly:

• Touch and massage their toes often. Have them stand at the door after being outside and wipe their paws. This builds patience and tolerance while you hold their feet. When they are relaxed on your lap, gently squeeze and release their paws. Hold their legs, tail, and face during brushing, and practice light ear massages too.
• Practice restraint with timely praise and treats so your puppy learns that being still and calm leads to good things.

Desensitize Your Puppy to Noise and Vibration

Clippers can be startling for a puppy that has never experienced them. A simple trick if you do not have a clipper yet: take the head off your electric toothbrush, turn it on, and offer a treat. Run it along different areas of their body for short periods. If they stay calm and quiet, reward them. This helps them get used to the noise and vibration before they ever see a real clipper.

Build Positive Associations at Home

Practice grooming routines at home to make each experience feel normal and safe:

• Work on ear cleaning, nail trimming, baths, and brushing regularly
• Use high-value treats if your puppy is food motivated, or offer calm confident praise with smiles and gentle pets
• Keep sessions short and always end on a positive note

The No-Groom Groomer Visit

Consider booking a no-groom visit at your local groomer. Just a short walkabout, a sniff around, and a treat from a friendly face. This builds familiarity and positive associations before any actual grooming takes place, making the first real appointment much less intimidating.

When Should You Book Your Puppy’s First Professional Grooming?

Just like a baby’s first haircut, the scruffy stage arrives before you know it! Once your puppy is fully vaccinated at around 16 weeks, you can book a first appointment. The groomer will introduce the experience gradually, doing a light puppy cut or tidy if needed, and helping set your pup up for a lifetime of stress-free appointments.

The First Big Haircut: Timing Matters

Although not proven, some believe that shaving a puppy’s coat before the adult coat grows in can affect the texture. To be safe, wait until 5 to 6 months for the first full haircut. If a trim is needed before then, a scissor cut only is preferred for puppies under 5 months.

The Coat Transition Stage: What to Expect at 6 to 10 Months

This is the stage that catches many owners off guard. Once a non-shedding puppy’s adult coat begins growing in, the puppy coat needs to be brushed out daily. Unlike shedding dogs, where the puppy coat naturally blows out, non-shedding Goldendoodles require very regular, thorough brushing to prevent mats, which can form quickly during this transition. Many owners find this period the most challenging and opt to keep the coat trimmed shorter to make maintenance more manageable.

Ongoing Grooming Schedule

Once the adult coat is fully developed, here is what to expect:

• Non-shedding coats typically need haircuts every 4 to 8 weeks
• Heavier-shedding coats only require trims every 3 to 6 months
• Minimal shedders fall somewhere in between

Continue practising the 10 touches from our puppy program throughout this stage, especially toe and ear massages, full body handling, and light tail pulling. Teaching your puppy to stand calmly and tolerate noise and vibration now will pay off at every grooming appointment for years to come.

Want a Puppy That is Already Ahead of the Curve?

At Hearty K9s, socialization and handling are built into our puppy program from day one. Learn more about our program here or get in touch to ask us anything about preparing your new pup for a lifetime of happy grooming.