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Your Cavapoo’s first trip to the groomer ranks right up there with your son’s first haircut (well, maybe not exactly).
Remember that a grooming session generally involves more than a haircut.
It could consist of cutting your dog’s nails, squeezing his anal glands, and bathing your puppy.
This post, however, centers on the main event-your designer dog receiving his premier haircut.
At what age should your Cavapoo have his first haircut?
There’s a difference of opinion as to when the first grooming experience should occur.
Some believe that a Cavapoo’s first cut should be when he’s between 6-8 weeks old.
Others suggest that you should carry him to the groomers when he’s 4-6 months of age.
Whatever period you choose for that premier cut, make sure that it will be a positive experience!
You don’t want him to dread going back for future grooming sessions.
After all, he’ll need to have a trim every 4-6 weeks!
So, what are some things you can do to ensure that your Cavapoo will look forward to getting groomed?
Follow these practical tips so that your fur baby will have a great grooming experience!
Observe Your Prospective Groomer
Before carrying your Cavapoo to get that first cut, visit the groomer to check out his personality and attitude.
This may be a snap at businesses like PetSmart where the grooming station is in the very front of the store.
Why, you can stand back incognito and watch how the groomer relates to the dogs he’s grooming.
Observe the tone of voice that he uses.
Does he get impatient with his dog customers?
Does he crate nervous pups away from the other dogs instead of seeking to calm them?
Remember that a grooming session could take several hours and could naturally tire your puppy.
Does the groomer give dogs a break to walk around, use the bathroom and drink water?
If you cannot stand back and watch incognito, enter the business, and get to know the groomer.
Don’t be afraid to ask important questions.
Here’s another idea. Carry your pup with you as you investigate the groomer.
Keep your eyes peeled on how the groomer relates to your dog.
And observe how your fur baby responds to the groomer.
There needs to be a little chemistry between the two!
Make the First Grooming Session Brief
The first grooming visit should be brief to get your Cavapoo acclimated to the experience.
After all, he’s in a strange environment with a person he’s never met before.
And that new person is coming after him with scissors and trimmers!
Usually, a grooming session is about three hours long.
That’s a long time for a Cavapoo puppy to be away from his human and in a different environment.
Easing into the first grooming session will pay great dividends in the long run.
Practice at Home with Your Cavapoo
It’s a good idea to do a practice run at home with your Cavapoo before taking him to professional groomers.
Get him used to the buzz of trimmers. Let him hear the hairdryer. Clip his nails.
Remember that he’s never had any of these things done to him before.
Getting him used to these procedures will prevent a nasty anxiety attack at the groomers!
Here are some recommended grooming tools for you to buy for a practice round! And who knows, you might decide to groom your pooch yourself and save a lot of money!
Check out Newzela’s Dog Clippers for Grooming Low Noise, Dog Paw and Hair Trimmer with 3-speed Digital Display!
This great dog barber choice provides up to 240 minutes of grooming your pup!
It also comes with a Lifetime Warranty and a 365-days free exchange or refund. Now that’s a selling point if I’ve ever seen one!
Check it out for yourself by clicking here to be carried to Amazon!
Remember you’ll need a good brush too! Swihauk’s Self Cleaning Slicker Brush is an excellent choice! Look at this one by clicking this link to Amazon.
Decide Beforehand the Cut YOU Want Your Cavapoo to Have
Your canine family member shouldn’t be the only one enjoying an outstanding experience with the groomer.
You should too!
And one of the aspects of a good, wonderful, marvelous experience at the groomers is to get the cut you want your dog to have!
There are several different types of haircuts available for your Cavapoo.
Decide the type you want prior to carrying your pup to the groomer.
And even better… print out a picture to give to your groomer.
Remember, you are the boss!
So, don’t let anyone sway you from the “hairdo” that you want your dog to have.
Here are the usual choices available:
The Summer Cut
Of course, this cut is restricted to the “dog days of summer.”
Make sure that the groomer doesn’t shave your canine buddy.
He has hair for a reason!
His coat protects him from the hot rays of the sun during summer and the frigid temps during winter.
Cutting away about ½” of hair all over his body will give him relief from the summer heat.
Go ahead and trim back his face.
And when it comes to the hair on his tail and feet, make sure that they are trimmed short.
The Teddy Bear Look
This is likely the most popular cut for the Cavapoo.
After all, Cavapoos remind us of teddy bears!
With this cut the hair on the body is cut at one length at around one inch.
The hair on the legs and feet are kept short.
The Cavapoo’s face is trimmed so it can blend in with the body hair.
Finally, round the head with scissors.
Your Cavapoo will be like a magnet, drawing attention from everyone!
The Puppy Cut
Don’t let the name fool you!
The Puppy Cut can be done on Cavapoos of all ages.
It’s like the Teddy Bear Look; however, the hair is left a little longer with the Puppy Cut.
The Cavapoo Lamb Cut
The name gives this haircut away!
This style cut transforms your Cavapoo into looking like a lamb.
The body hair is cut about an inch plus while the hair around the legs is left longer.
This haircut leaves the hair around the ears longer while trimming the facial hair.
The Cavapoo Shih Tzu Cut
With this low maintenance cut you leave the hair on the body one to two inches in length all over.
The face hair is trimmed while the hair around the ears and head is longer but rounded.
Here’s an Infographic for You!
Conclusion
You’ve invested a lot of cash in your Cavapoo.
There was the initial price of buying your furry pet.
Then there’s the recurring cost of purchasing dog food for your canine family member.
Oh, don’t forget that you bought that special crate for him to sleep in!
And of course, there are other incidentals that you bought for your pup.
You’re proud of your four-legged friend.
You want him to look his very best!
And to reach that point you do all you can to ensure that he receives the best grooming available.
After all, he’s worth it!
-Howell
