04/09/2026
Took Loki to puppy class this week — partly to get him properly socialised, partly to refresh my own knowledge of puppy training.
It reminded me how much of a difference early training makes once a dog starts coming to the salon (or the vets). Puppy training is one of the most valuable things you can do before they get older, and honestly, groomers and vets notice it straight away.
Here's what genuinely helps me as a groomer — and what you can start at home today:
🐾 Paw handling. Feet are the number one flashpoint. Hold each paw for a few seconds, spread the toes, touch between the pads, tap the nails. Do it daily and nail trims stop being a battle.
🐾 Face, ears and tail. Lift the ears, look inside, gently hold the muzzle, run your hand down the tail and back end. These are the areas dogs guard most — and the areas I have to work on with scissors.
🐾 Standing still on a raised surface. Pop them on a step, a low table, anything solid, and reward calm standing. A dog who can stand still for two minutes is a dog who has a comfortable, safe groom.
🐾 Brushing at home. Little and often between appointments. It keeps the coat matt-free and teaches them that being brushed is normal rather than a once-every-eight-weeks event.
🐾 Noise. Dryers, clippers, running water — loud to quiet and everything in between. Run the hairdryer near them at home while they're eating and pair the noise with something good.
🐾 Muzzle training. Done young and done positively, a muzzle becomes a non-event rather than something scary. It's a kindness, not a punishment — and for an anxious dog it can be the difference between a calm groom and no groom at all.
🐾 Shaping and confidence work. Getting them to interact with new objects and surfaces builds a dog who meets new things with curiosity rather than panic.
🐾 Socialisation. People and dogs, so walking into a new place isn't overwhelming.
🐾 Being left. A groom means a few hours away from you. A pup who's used to short separations settles far better than one who's never been apart.
🐾 Car travel. If the journey is stressful, they arrive stressed. Short, happy trips that don't always end at the vets make a real difference.
🐾 Basic commands. Sit, stand, wait. Small things that make the whole groom smoother and safer for both of us.
None of this needs to be a big session — two minutes a day, paired with a treat, and you'll have a dog who enjoys being groomed rather than endures it.
Got a new puppy? Bring them in for a puppy intro session — no full groom, just a gentle introduction to the salon, the table and the sounds. Starting it right is so much easier than undoing worry later. 🐶
If you want to attend a puppy class please speak to The Canine Classroom Sam is amazing 👏
