Puppy Grooming Advice

Our springers are just over four months old now - time flies! Just wondering if anyone else gets their pups clipped? We've found their hair around their pads on their paws is growing over their pads so they just need a 'little' tidy up and their ears. Is it ok to get your pup clipped? I don't mean all hair cut off, just tidy up
Kim

Certainly. Now is THE best time to get your little pup used to the groomers. I have pups in for just a pad/nail trim, brush, ear clean and socialisation first. I don't charge for it providing the customer then books in for a bath for a couple of weeks after, when we then progress as the puppy will be used to the dryer noise, and will be less scared. This way the puppy gets used to all the noises that go with a salon. Everything is taken slowly and therefore the puppy sees it as a nice place to go. Find a good groomer in your area offers to do this. A little effort now pays massive dividends for the rest of the dogs life

There is nothing worse than a dog coming to the groomers for the first time when its really hairy and is over a year old. It is then a lot harder for the dog to become acustomed to all the sights/sounds/smells. Making it stressful, not only for the dog, but also for the groomer.

I agree starting now is going to benefit him in the long run, and will not cause him any bother than if he was older..will just let him get use to it from a younger age.

To be honest i do all my own tidying up with paws and ears otherwise i would forever be at the groomers, i regularly trim paws and take out the tats then give their ears a good brush. Are They working strain springers ?? if so most don't have the heavy coats of their show cousins and need very little in the way of proer grooming

No, whilst I agree that a working springer has less coat, I groom loads that just come in for a bath and tidy, and if that is what someone wants to do then it is far better to get the dog used to everything. Most are in every 3-4 months or so once used to the whole process

I agree... the younger they are, the better it will be in the long run for them and their "grooming routine" if you think you will be taking them at regular intervals in the future.

And if you decide not to, there are things you can try to do at home which will help later on... for instance, desensitizing them (not as nasty as it sounds ) by getting them used to having their paws held up for a while (for trimming and nails) or holding their nose gently to keep their head still (to inspect/clean their eyes and for trimming ears etc...)... I'm sure puppy will have a blast at the groomers