Puppy Grooming Checklist for Melbourne Dog Owners

Bringing home a new puppy is exciting, but grooming is one of the most important habits to introduce early. A well-planned grooming routine doesn’t just keep your puppy looking great, it builds confidence, prevents anxiety, and sets the foundation for a lifetime of stress-free dog grooming.

If you’re searching for a puppy grooming checklist in Melbourne, this guide from Spitz Groom covers everything you need to know to get started the right way.

Why Puppy Grooming Matters Early

Your Essential Puppy Grooming Checklist

🐾 1. Start Handling Early (At Home)

Before your puppy ever steps into a salon, begin with gentle daily handling:

• Touch paws, ears, tail, and face regularly.

• Lift lips to simulate teeth checks.

• Introduce short, positive sessions.

Pro tip: Pair every interaction with treats and praise to build trust.

🪮 2. Introduce Brushing Slowly

Brushing is one of the most important grooming habits, but it must be introduced correctly.

• Start with short sessions (1-2 minutes).

• Use a soft, puppy-friendly brush (we recommend a pin brush)

• Focus on calm areas first (back and sides).

• Gradually work toward sensitive areas.

Regular brushing helps prevent matting and keeps your puppy comfortable between professional grooms.

Often puppies don't 'need' daily brushing right away, but we recommend you use this time to get yourself and your pup into a routine by doing a little each day. A little everyday will help even the most anxious or timid pup build confidence so that by the time they actually need it, it's not a scary thing. Remember that no two dogs are alike and some pups take to grooming better/faster than others.

✂️ 3. Get Your Puppy Comfortable with Tools

Many dogs develop fear because tools are introduced too quickly.

Start by:

• Letting your puppy see and sniff brushes and clippers. (Please don't let them chew the tools though!)

• Turning on tools such as clippers, nail grinders or dryers nearby so they get used to the sound. Modifying distance from the dog to prevent startling or fear. 

• Rewarding calm behaviour around grooming equipment.

This process, known as desensitisation, is critical for fear-free puppy grooming.

🛁 4. First Bath Experience

Bath time should be calm, warm, and positive:

• Use lukewarm water and puppy-safe shampoo.

• Keep sessions short and gentle.

• Avoid water near the face initially.

• Reward throughout the process.

A positive first bath helps prevent lifelong resistance to washing.

Pro-tip: smear some dog safe peanut butter on the side of your bath tub and let them lick while you wash! If they are frightened of being in the tub, work on desensitisation of simply being in the tub (for example, create a positive association by feeding them dinner in the tub each night for a week and see if it helps sweeten the deal)

🐕 5. Book a Puppy Introduction Groom

One of the most important steps is booking a puppy grooming introduction session (once your pup is vaccinated, and ideally as close to 16 weeks as possible)

At Spitz Groom, these sessions focus on:

• Gentle exposure to the salon environment

• Short, low-pressure grooming experiences

• Building trust with the groomer

• Creating positive associations early

Waiting 6 months or more before your pup has their first salon visit can be detrimental.

✂️ 6. Nail Trimming Preparation

Nail trimming is one of the most common stress points for dogs.

To prepare:

• Handle paws daily. 

• Gently press on nails to mimic trimming.

• Introduce nail clippers or grinders slowly.

• Reward calm behaviour.

Consistency here makes a huge difference in future grooming appointments. Some puppies (including our very own) can take YEARS to desensitise to nail trimming, but the more you practice, the sooner the possibility they will be accepting of and comfortable with the process. 

👂 7. Ear & Hygiene Awareness

Regularly check and gently handle:

• Ears (especially for floppy-eared breeds)

• Eyes (for tear staining)

• Sanitary areas

This helps your puppy become comfortable with necessary hygiene care.

🧡 8. Watch for Signs of Stress

Understanding your puppy’s behaviour is key to low-stress grooming.

Signs of discomfort include:

• Lip licking or yawning.

• Turning away or trying to make a quick getaway.

• Whining or stiff body posture.

• Trying to bite (note there is a difference between fear biting and puppy mouthing)

If you notice these signs, pause and reset. Pushing through can create long-term grooming anxiety.

If you aren't sure, feel free to reach out and we will gladly assist in guiding you. Videos are helpful if you are struggling with problem behaviour or unsure if your puppy is playing Vs uncomfortable.

Grooming Frequency for Puppies

Melbourne’s changing weather can impact your puppy’s coat and skin.

As a general guide:

• Brushing: 2-4 times per week (depending on coat type, more or less may be required) however, we recommend daily brushing while they are 6m and under

• Bathing: Every 3-6 weeks. Again this is heavily dependent on your breed, however while they are young, it's a good idea to get more exposure opportunities in than you would typically need as an adult. For example, a double coated breed only needs to be bathed every few months; we recommend to then bathe monthly until they are comfortable with the process. Poodle or Poodle mix breeds might need a bath every 4-6 weeks as an adult; so we recommend bathing them as a puppy every 2 weeks so they get used to the process. 

• Professional grooming: Every 4-8 weeks at a very high level. This is going to depend on the needs of your dog (in particular, their coat type), how involved you are as a pet parent and how skilled you are on the tools! A typical double coated breed only really needs a professional groom once every few months, and some stretch this out to bi-annual or even annual (or never!) as the frequency is all relevant to how much the dog gets brushed and there is typically minimal trimming involved. If you are not in a position to brush your double coated breed as often as it needs, or you like it's coat to be sculpted all year round, professional grooms may need to be more frequently such as monthly. Conversely, breeds which get clipped and trimmed (such as a poodles) often rely on the expertise of a professional groomer, as per owners are often not appropriately skilled (or confident) to perform a hair cut at home. It is therefore more typical for these breeds to be on a 6 week frequency. 

A consistent routine helps maintain coat health and keeps your puppy comfortable year-round.

Choosing the Right Puppy Groomer in Melbourne

Not all grooming experiences are the same, especially for puppies.

Look for a groomer who offers:

• Fear-free or low-stress grooming techniques

• Puppy-specific introduction sessions.

• One-on-one appointments.

• Patience, flexibility, and behaviour understanding.

This stage is particularly important for puppies aged 8-16 weeks, when early experiences shape lifelong behaviour. If you’ve recently welcomed a new puppy, or are planning to, contact our team to arrange a half-day Puppy Introduction Session. Each session runs for four hours and is priced at $125. We typically recommend a series of three sessions, spaced every 4–5 weeks, before transitioning into an ongoing, tailored grooming plan developed in collaboration with your groomer.

Set Your Puppy Up for a Lifetime of Positive Grooming

The first few grooming experiences shape how your dog will feel about grooming forever.

By following this puppy grooming checklist and choosing a professional, behaviour-focused dog groomer in Melbourne, you’re giving your puppy the best possible start.

Book Your Puppy’s First Grooming Experience

At Spitz Groom, we’re passionate about creating calm, positive grooming journeys, starting from day one.

If you’re looking for gentle, fear-free puppy grooming in Melbourne, our tailored introduction sessions are designed to build trust, reduce anxiety, and set your puppy up for lifelong success.