PET PARENTS

Preparing Your Puppy for Professional Grooming

Bringing home a new puppy is exciting, and their first visits to the groomer shape how they will feel about being groomed for the rest of their life. This course teaches you how to set your pup up for grooming success from day one. Learn what puppies experience at their appointments, how to support them at home, and how to make each visit calm and positive.
cute illustrated puppy icon for Puppy Prep Course section

Help your puppy grow into a calm, confident grooming client

Every puppy needs grooming support, no matter their breed or coat type. The skills your puppy learns now will shape how they feel about being touched, brushed, bathed, and dried for the rest of their life. This course gives you simple, gentle steps you can use at home to help your puppy feel safe and relaxed.

Why early preparation matters

Early experiences around touch, sound, and handling have a big impact on how your puppy feels about grooming as they grow. Teaching these skills early makes grooming calmer, safer, and easier for everyone.

A prepared puppy:

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Feels safer with the groomer

Is less likely to develop fear or stress 

Is easier for professionals to handle

Learns to enjoy being brushed, dried, and cared for

Stays healthier because regular grooming becomes easier

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Your puppy does not naturally understand brushing, lifting paws, dryers, clippers, or standing still. These are learned skills. This course teaches you how to introduce them gently so your puppy grows up relaxed and confident.

Follow Bernie the Bernedoodle as he learns each step of gentle grooming preparation.

Bernie the puppy learning gentle grooming touch with Dr Fiona
Phase 1: Simple touches
Bernie the puppy being introduced to grooming tools
Phase 3: Introducing sounds
Bernie the puppy practising calm grooming handling
Phase 4: Introducing tools

 Watching one puppy progress makes it easy to understand what to do with your own.

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"When puppies are prepared at home, they are less stressed and worried when we touch their paws or do their nails. Each groom builds on the last, and it becomes a lifelong process of calm, safe handling."

ADONIS M, Professional Dog Groomer
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"We see the difference every day. Puppies who have learned gentle handling and short grooming sessions at home walk into the salon more relaxed and ready to learn. Eventually, it becomes an absolute pleasure for both of us, and a beautiful friendship!"

LEEZA B, Professional Dog Groomer
A Confident Puppy Starts Here

Everything You Need To Prepare Your Puppy

Learn Anywhere

See what actually happens at a grooming appointment and learn how to support your puppy between visits.

Simple, Step-by-Step Lessons

See what actually happens at a grooming appointment and learn how to support your puppy between visits.

Understand the Grooming Experience

See what actually happens at a grooming appointment and learn how to support your puppy between visits.
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Inside the Course

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No Fancy Equipment Needed

You can begin preparing your puppy using everyday household items. We show you how to introduce touch, sound, and new sensations safely and gently. If you choose to add grooming tools later, we guide you step-by-step.

Frequently asked questions

Should I really learn to prepare my puppy at home?

Yes. Early grooming preparation makes a big difference to how your puppy feels about being touched, brushed, and handled as they grow. Dogs have a lifetime of grooming ahead of them, so the less stress they carry into each appointment, the better. This course gives you simple, gentle exercises that help your puppy feel safe, confident, and ready for their first visits.

Do I need any special equipment?

No. You can begin with things you already have at home. If you choose to add grooming tools later, we show you how to introduce them safely.

How long will the course take?

You can watch the course quickly, then practise the little exercises over a few weeks. Puppies learn best through short, gentle sessions.

How long do I have access to the course?

You can watch the course quickly, then practise the little exercises over a few weeks. Puppies learn best through short, gentle sessions.

What if I need help or have a question along the way?

We are here for you via email (learn@igroomschool.com.au) anytime.
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About the Creators

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Dr Fiona PATTERSON

Dr Fiona is a qualified veterinarian and certified dog trainer who specialises in behaviour and gentle, science based puppy learning. She helps families understand their puppy’s body language, emotions, and needs so grooming, handling, and everyday life feel calm and predictable.


Her work focuses on strengthening the bond between dogs and their people using positive, practical techniques that support confident, well adjusted puppies. In this course, Dr Fiona guides you through each step of preparing your puppy for grooming in a safe, reassuring way.

If you ever need extra help, Dr Fiona also offers personalised 1:1 training sessions in Melbourne or online.

IGROOMHUB TEAM

We’ve spent decades working with dogs and the people who love them. Between grooming salons, teaching students, and supporting thousands of dog families, we’ve seen what really helps puppies feel safe, confident, and understood.


igroomdiy is part of the igroomhub family, created specifically for pet parents. It’s where we share simple, practical grooming and care advice for everyday homes, along with safe, high quality tools chosen by professionals. Everything is designed to help you care for your puppy with confidence.


We created this course with Dr Fiona to give every family the confidence to prepare their puppy for a lifetime of positive grooming.

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Together, we created the Puppy Prep Course to help every puppy begin their grooming life feeling safe, confident, and cared for.