A Letter to new puppy parents :)

Hi there—first of all, congratulations on your puppy! 🎉 They’re cute, wiggly, bitey, dramatic, and probably already running your life. Welcome. I want to take a moment to talk to you about something very important: your puppy’s first haircut. I’ll be honest—because that’s who I am—a puppy’s first grooming appointment can be a little shocking, a little emotional, and sometimes mildly traumatizing for both you and your puppy. And that’s okay.

Your puppy is experiencing a lot of “firsts” all at once. A new person, new sounds, new smells, and brand-new sensations like clippers, scissors, water, and dryers. Standing still isn’t exactly their strong suit yet, and that’s completely normal. During a puppy’s first few grooming visits, my goal is not perfection. My goal is safety, comfort, positive experiences, and building trust. That means your puppy might not leave looking like an Instagram dog just yet—and that’s totally okay.

One thing that surprises many puppy parents is what happens to their coat. Between six and eight months of age, most puppies begin transitioning from their soft puppy coat to their adult coat. During this time, puppy hair starts to fall out while adult hair grows in coarser, thicker, and heavier. This combination can cause matting to happen very quickly, sometimes in just a matter of days. Because puppy hair is extremely soft and fluffy, even a small trim can make it look like a lot more hair was taken off than it actually was. Once the adult coat starts coming in, it doesn’t “poof” the same way—it lays heavier and often appears shorter, even when I use my longest guard comb. If your puppy didn’t get a haircut during this stage, they could easily become matted by the next visit—not because you didn’t brush, but because the two coat types tangle together as the adult coat grows in.

You may also notice some very normal puppy behavior during grooming. Your puppy might wiggle, sit down, flop over, bite the brush, cry dramatically, or act like they are being personally victimized. I promise your puppy is safe. I work at their pace, give breaks when needed, and focus on making grooming a positive learning experience rather than a stressful one.

What I need from you most is patience, trust, and maybe a deep breath. Your puppy is learning a life skill that will benefit them for years to come. Every grooming visit builds confidence. Every visit gets easier. Every visit helps your puppy feel safer and more comfortable.

In short, puppy grooms are about training—not perfection. Coat changes typically happen around six to eight months of age, matting can happen quickly during this transition, and a “not-perfect” first haircut is actually a successful one. You’re doing the right thing by starting early.

Thank you so much for trusting me with your puppy. I truly love helping them grow into confident, happy, well-groomed dogs 💛

With love (and dog hair everywhere),

Raquel

Bailey & Friends 🐾