At The Stables Dog Grooming, we believe a puppy's first grooming experiences can shape how they feel about grooming for the rest of their life.

Our Puppy Confidence Programme has been carefully designed to introduce puppies to grooming in a calm, gentle and positive way. Rather than expecting puppies to cope with a full groom straight away, we take the time to help them build confidence with handling, brushing, bathing, drying and the grooming environment.

Every puppy is different. Some puppies quickly gain confidence with grooming, while others need a little more time to feel comfortable and secure. For this reason, our Puppy Confidence Programme is completely flexible. The stages below are designed as a guide, but we will always work at your puppy's pace. If your puppy needs additional time at any stage, sessions can be repeated as often as necessary before moving on to the next step.

Our priority is not how quickly we complete the programme, but how positively your puppy experiences grooming. By allowing puppies to progress at a pace that suits them, we can help build confidence, trust and lifelong positive associations with grooming.

There is never any pressure to move on before your puppy is ready. We will discuss your puppy's progress with you throughout the programme and recommend the most appropriate next steps based on their individual needs.

What's Included?

Session 1 – Meet, Greet & Explore

A gentle introduction to the salon environment, grooming table, equipment and handling. Plenty of treats, praise and positive experiences help your puppy feel safe and relaxed.

This session may include:

Exploring the salon

Gentle brushing

Table introduction

Handling of paws, ears and face

Introduction to grooming equipment and sounds

Lots of rewards and positive reinforcement

Session 2 – Bath & Familiarisation

A gentle puppy bath, low-noise drying, brushing and continued confidence-building with grooming equipment and handling.

This session may include:

Warm puppy bath

Gentle drying

Brushing and combing

Introduction to nail trimming

Continued confidence-building exercises

Positive reinforcement throughout

Session 3 – First Puppy Groom

A bath, dry and tidy-up, with plenty of patience and reassurance throughout. We focus on creating a positive experience as we introduce your puppy to grooming.

This session may include:

Bath and dry

Face, feet and hygiene tidy

Light trimming  or clipping where appropriate

Continued confidence-building

Grooming advice tailored to your puppy's breed and coat type

Supporting You at Home

We believe grooming is a partnership between groomer and owner. Throughout the programme, we will provide advice on:

Handling and grooming practices at home

Brushing techniques

Coat care requirements

Grooming schedules for your breed

Building positive grooming experiences

Preparing your puppy for future grooming appointments

Building Confidence for Life
Our aim is simple: to help puppies grow into confident dogs who feel comfortable and relaxed during grooming throughout their lives. Whether your puppy progresses quickly or needs a little extra time and support, we will always work with patience, kindness and understanding to ensure their welfare and emotional wellbeing remain at the heart of every visit.