When your puppy comes home we will have done some preparation work with him. He will have had several bathes, been under the blow dryer, been clipped, and had his nails done. Now it is up to you to build on this foundation. Everything you do with your puppy should be in small doses, a puppy can’t tolerate being on the table for an hour being groomed. Start with getting him on the table and being quiet. As soon as he is quiet give him a treat and let him down to play. Next move on to brushing, gently brush him and pick up his feet and hold them. Touch his ears as if you were going to clip them. Make sure if you have a boy that you touch his testicles, other people are going to do this to him throughout his life. If you do this you will have a dog who loves the grooming table and jumps up on his own.
A Bouvier is a double-coated breed that is hair, not fur, which is why he does not shed. He will blow his puppy coat between one year and two years old. If you don’t keep up with the brushing during this time you will have one big mat. Your puppy will naturally have a harsh coat, which you want to encourage because it is much easier to keep up. My pups like to lay on my lap and I use this time to start hand stripping the jacket. As you are running your hand along the puppy from head to tail gently grab any loose hairs and pull them out a few at a time, make sure to pull the same direction as the hair grows. Do not use any tools or powder at this point. You can do this on a table if you are more comfortable. Keep the beard clean and it will be easier to brush out.
Tools you will need to start
Slicker brush
comb
Nail clippers
