Taking care of and raising puppies requires a lot of attention since regular care and proper training significantly impact the dog’s health and behavior as an adult. At our kennel, every puppy receives basic training and gets accustomed to grooming before leaving us, making it easier for the new owners. In this post, I will talk about this, and I’ve also created a video where I show the basic steps for cosmetic grooming, which will help you continue on the right path to raising a happy and healthy dog.
The first few times are very important for the puppies to feel calm and stress-free. I do everything slowly and patiently so that the puppy has a positive experience of the process. Of course, this process goes much faster for an adult dog that is already used to it. During grooming, I regularly reward the puppies with different treats. In the video, you’ll see an 8-week-old Havapoo puppy, Nora, who is the most active and playful puppy of the N-litter.
Remember, grooming routines are a fantastic way to strengthen the bond between you and your puppy. When you groom your puppy, you build trust with one another, which is the foundation of a strong and healthy relationship.
Let’s begin by talking about puppy care.
Bathning:
We get puppies accustomed to bathing while they are with us, but it is important to continue this at home. Puppies should generally be bathed every 4–6 weeks or as needed if they get dirty. For more frequent bathing, it’s recommended to use a moisturizing shampoo. In the video, I use a moisturizing shampoo available at most veterinary clinics (DermAllay™ Oatmeal Shampoo Dogs & Cats), or K9 Puppy Shampoo is also an excellent choice. For adult dogs, K9 Aloe Vera Shampoo Mild & Economical is a great option. After shampooing, you should use conditioner (K9 Puppy Conditioner, and for adults: Aloe Vera Conditioner Mild & Economical). Rinse the coat thoroughly and ensure no shampoo gets into the dog’s eyes or ears. For the area around the eyes, if you are unsure, you can use a towel or cloth dipped in soapy water to gently wipe around the dog’s eyes.
There are also shampoos specifically designed to help with allergies in dog owners, but I will discuss that in another blog post.
Drying:
After the bath, first towel-dry the dog, then use K9 Aloe Vera Nano Mist Leave-In Conditioner Mild & Economical spray.
Hairdryer:
A hairdryer is an essential tool to prevent moisture in the coat, which can lead to skin problems. Always use a low heat and medium speed to avoid discomfort. Reward the puppy during the process to create a positive experience. The dog’s well-being is always the highest priority, so ensure the hairdryer is used calmly and safely. Avoid blowing air directly on the puppy’s face or into its ears.
Dental Care:
Taking care of your dog’s teeth is vital for good oral health. Start brushing their teeth as puppies with special dog toothpaste and a soft brush. Begin gently without toothpaste to get the puppy accustomed to the sensation. I usually start using toothpaste when the puppy is about 3–4 months old, but remember to only use toothpaste designed for dogs (Aptus Bucadog Toothpaste 70 g). Never use human toothpaste. Brush 2–3 times a week and regularly check the teeth during teething at around 6 months of age. If baby teeth don’t fall out, especially canines, they may need to be removed by a veterinarian at around 6.5 months. It’s not necessary to extract the teeth earlier since they usually fall out on their own. Putting the puppy under anesthesia for this is unnecessary unless the puppy is in pain, which is very rare.
Check your dog’s teeth at least once a year, and remove tartar if needed to prevent gum disease and other oral health issues.
Brushing:
Regular brushing 2–3 times a week helps the puppy get used to the process. Mats can form under the arms and on the chest due to a harness. At 6 months of age, when the puppy sheds its baby coat, matting may increase and require daily brushing. You’ll need a dog brush and a dematting tool to help remove mats.
Eye Area Care:
Dirt and tear stains can collect around the eyes. Regularly trim the fur with blunt scissors to avoid irritation. Tear flow can be caused by inward-growing hairs, which can be improved to some extent by keeping the fur around the eyes short. Daily cleaning with a damp cloth may also be necessary.
In both Bichon Havanais and Poodles, this can be a hereditary issue. Eye testing can detect such problems, and dogs with these issues should not be bred. We take great care to avoid this in our breeding.
Ear Care:
Keeping ears clean prevents infections and inflammation. Check the ears weekly and use a special ear-cleaning solution if needed (Dechra CleanAural® Dogs). Poodle mixes may have hair growth in the ear canal, which sometimes needs to be removed. I show how this is done in the video, but if you feel unsure, it’s best to leave this to a groomer. Keep in mind that not all groomers perform this service, so make sure to remind your groomer to check this.
Paw Care:
I trim the fur around the puppy’s paws with blunt scissors every week to keep them clean. Often, I use a dog clipper for this, but since most households don’t have one, I show the scissor method in the video. Regularly check the paws to ensure there is no irritation or dirt between the pads.
During summer, be cautious about hot asphalt, which can harm a dog’s paws, and in winter, protect the paws from drying out by using paw balm when needed. For small adjustments, I recommend this clipper:
Nail Care:
Regular nail trimming is not only essential for comfort but also for health. During the first 7 months, I recommend trimming a little every two weeks to get the puppy accustomed to the process. As an adult, nails can be trimmed every 4–6 weeks depending on activity levels and how quickly the nails grow. Puppies adapt quickly to nail trimming if you start early. We start working on this while the puppy is with us so that it won’t be afraid of the clippers or handling.
Create a calm environment. Trim the nails when the dog is relaxed, such as after a walk. Check the nail length carefully and avoid cutting too far. If you feel unsure, visit a groomer. Cutting incorrectly can create a negative experience for the dog, making future nail trims challenging.
If the nails are rarely trimmed, the quick may grow too long. However, this can be reversed with patience and regular trimming. Trim a small amount of the nail each week and file them every three days. Over time, the quick will recede to a normal length.
First Visit to the Groomer:
The grooming requirements for your Havapoo can vary depending on whether the puppy’s coat resembles the silky fur of a Havanese or is curly and thick like a Poodle’s. This is important to understand, but the coat’s character is not always fully evident at 8–9 weeks of age. While grooming a Havapoo is not particularly difficult, it does require regular attention to prevent tangles and keep the coat in good condition. Around 6 months of age, puppies begin to shed their puppy coat, and the coat may change, becoming more prone to matting.
This is the time when I recommend the first visit to a dog groomer, but preferably earlier, at 4 months of age, for an introduction so the puppy gets used to the environment. The groomer can also provide advice on how to best care for your puppy’s specific coat. For a positive experience, it’s a good idea to let a professional establish the foundation for future grooming.
Summary:
With us, every puppy receives a basic introduction to grooming and training. By continuing proper care such as bathing, brushing, nail trimming, and separation training, you can ensure that your dog becomes a happy and healthy family member.
