Guide
Puppy's First Groom: When to Book and What Happens
Most groomers take puppies once their vaccinations are complete, usually from about 12 weeks, for a short introduction costing £25 to £36, the middle half of published prices. Early, short visits are what make later full grooms easy.
When should a puppy have its first groom?
Book a first visit once the vaccination course is complete, which for most puppies means from about 12 to 16 weeks old. Most groomers ask for this. A puppy introduction costs £25 to £36, the middle half of 97 published puppy prices (October 2026), and lasts 30 to 60 minutes. For breeds whose coat keeps growing (poodles, cockapoos, doodles, bichons, shih tzus) an early start matters most, because they will be groomed every 4 to 12 weeks for life, depending on the coat.
What happens at a puppy introduction?
Very little grooming, on purpose. A typical first visit is a short bath, a gentle dry, a brush, and a tidy around the eyes, feet and rear. The aim is for the puppy to meet the noise of the dryer, the feel of the table, and having feet, face and ears handled, while things are still easy. Some groomers run a course of two or three visits, each a little longer than the last.
How many visits, and what do they cost?
Groomers vary. Some offer a single introduction; others run a course of two or three visits a few weeks apart, priced as a package, with each visit a little longer than the last and the final one close to a full groom. Single visits cost £25 to £36, and the middle half of 13 published courses and packages is £45 to £140; two groomers in the data make the first short visit free. After the course, puppies with growing coats go onto the adult interval for their coat: every 4 to 8 weeks for a poodle, 6 to 12 for most poodle crosses.
Ask whether the groomer books puppies at a quiet time of day, and whether you can stay for the first few minutes. A short, calm, successful visit does more than a long one that ends in a struggle.
What can you do at home before the first visit?
Handle your puppy's paws, ears and mouth daily, for a few seconds at a time, with treats. Brush gently, even if there is little coat. Stand the puppy on a non-slip mat on a raised, stable surface for short spells. Let it hear a hairdryer on low from across the room. A puppy that already accepts being handled will have a much calmer first groom.
When does the puppy coat change?
Most puppies lose their puppy coat between about six and twelve months. For poodle crosses this is when matting suddenly gets worse, because the adult coat grows in under the softer puppy coat and the two tangle. Groomers often recommend more frequent visits, or a shorter clip, during this stage.
Common questions
Can a puppy be groomed before its vaccinations?
Most groomers will not take a puppy until its vaccination course is complete. Ask your vet when your puppy is covered.
How much is a puppy groom?
The middle half of 97 published puppy prices is £25 to £36 (October 2026), depending on size and what is included.
Should a puppy have a full haircut?
Not on the first visit. A short introduction followed by gradually longer visits is the usual approach.