I don't think a puppy is ever too young to be groomed or trimmed a little -- but they should be through with all their shots before they visit a groomer.
I have trimmed my little guy since I got him. He had such yucky baby hair that it had to be removed as soon as possible. I am not talking about "normal baby hair." His was so bad (and matted) that you couldn't have combed him or brushed him in a million years without hurting him a lot. Now at four months with most of his baby hair gone - his new coat coming in is much more manageable. Actually it's wonderful! And - boy does his hair grow fast!!!
My pup (at four months) gets his last shots tomorrow. This means he will be able to visit a groomer - but he's looking so great and doesn't need to go. As long as I keep him in a puppy cut - I can do this myself. This does mean that I'll also have to remove the hair from inside his ears and clip his nails --which I can do.
I have had several small dogs - and only do the anal glands - if and when needed...at the vet's office. My other small dogs needed this done about once a year or even less. I started out with my first dog having it done routinely at the groomer's --but it hurt my dog so much I wondered why I was doing it - and wondered if she needed it done that often. I learned, without doing it so often, that she rarely had any problem. It is, however, a constant problem with my daughter's dog. My vet said it is a problem that is more prevelant with some dogs than others. So - treat accordingly!
Good luck!
Carol Jean |