Your puppy's first groom: when to start and what to expect
A good first groom starts at home, weeks before the appointment. Here's when to book it, how to get your puppy ready, and how to choose the groomer.
When to start
The RSPCA's advice is to introduce puppies to grooming as soon as they're fully vaccinated. Puppies are typically vaccinated at eight and ten weeks (sometimes as early as four to six weeks), with the second dose two to four weeks after the first. Ask your vet when yours is fully protected.
A good groomer asks for proof of vaccinations before they groom your dog. That matters: it stops contagious diseases spreading between the dogs they see.
Getting your puppy used to it at home
Use reward-based training to get your puppy used to the brush, the comb and any other grooming kit a little at a time. Be patient, and never force it if your puppy doesn't want to: short, happy sessions do more than one long one.
Choosing the groomer
Dog grooming isn't regulated, so it's worth checking for yourself. The RSPCA suggests:
- Ask your vet, friends and family who they recommend.
- Visit, and meet the groomer before you book, so you can see your puppy gets on with them.
- Ask about training: the most recognised qualifications for dog groomers in the UK are City and Guilds. Membership of the British Dog Groomers Association or the Pet Care Trade Association shows ongoing training in safety and hygiene.
- Ask whether they work by appointment only, how many dogs each groomer looks after at once, and whether they'll talk through your puppy's needs, such as sensitive skin or nerves.
- Ask to see their insurance.
- Ask for tips on grooming at home between visits.
Safety: ask how they dry dogs
The RSPCA warns that drying boxes are particularly risky, because a dog can't move away from the heat, even when someone is watching. Faulty equipment and the wrong temperature have caused serious injuries and deaths. Ask how they dry dogs, and whether their equipment is serviced regularly.
Questions owners ask
When can my puppy have its first groom?
The RSPCA's advice is to introduce puppies to grooming as soon as they're fully vaccinated. Puppies are typically vaccinated at eight and ten weeks; ask your vet when yours is fully protected.
Do dog groomers need a licence?
No. The RSPCA says the dog grooming industry is unregulated, so check the groomer's training, insurance and how they dry dogs before you book.
What should I ask a dog groomer?
Whether they ask for proof of vaccinations, what training they have (City and Guilds is the most recognised in the UK), whether they're insured, how many dogs they look after at once, and how they dry dogs.
Find one near you
Every business you can book on Pooky Dog is checked: ID and insurance, and a council licence where the law needs one.
Where this comes from
Checked against these on 4 October 2026. The law can change: check the source before you rely on it.