1st Timer's Guide to Getting a Lab Groomed

Aug 4

If you’ve just booked your first grooming appointment for your Labrador Retrieve Congrats! You’re already one step ahead in keeping their skin, coat, and overall health in check.

But maybe you’re wondering…
“Do Labs even need grooming?”
“Will my dog be nervous?”
“What should I expect as a first-timer?”

Whether your Lab is a puppy or a full-grown shedding machine, here’s everything you need to know before that first grooming appointment rolls around.

**🐾 Do Labs Really Need to Be Groomed?**

Yes, yes, and yes. While they don’t need haircuts like poodles or doodles, Labs still benefit from professional grooming services especially when it comes to:

Controlling seasonal shedding
Removing impacted undercoat
Keeping nails healthy and trimmed
Preventing ear infections
Managing dry skin or allergies

Regular grooming helps keep your Lab clean, healthy, and way more comfortable especially if they love being outdoors or swimming.

🐾 What to Expect at Your First Appointment

Here’s what a first-time appointment usually includes:

A thorough skin and coat check
A deep deshedding bath and blowout
Ear cleaning
Nail trim or grind
A final comb-through and tidy-up
A report card and tips for upkeep

First-timers often need extra brushing and time to work through a packed-in undercoat, especially if they haven’t had a bath in a while. Don’t worry, groomers will go at their pace!

🐾 How to Prep Before Your Groom

You don’t need to do much, but here are a few things that help both you and the groomer:

Take your Lab for a potty break before they arrive
Let them know if they’re nervous, reactive, or scared of specific tools
Have paper towesl nearby for any clean-up help if needed
Don’t feed a big meal right before (some dogs get nervous tummies)

🐾 Common First-Time Lab Parent Worries

Here are a few things groomers hear all the time and our honest answers:

❓“Will you shave my Lab?”
Never. Shaving a Lab can damage their double coat and mess with their ability to regulate body temperature. We’ll deshed instead!

❓“My dog’s never been professionally groomed. Is that okay?”
Totally fine! We’ll take our time and make it a positive experience.

❓“What if my dog is nervous or doesn’t sit still?”
We’re trained to work with wiggly, nervous pups. We use calming techniques and always put your dog’s comfort first.

💡 Want to Know What Tools to Use Between Appointments?

Got you covered.
Check out Ciara’s full list of recommended products and tools here:
👉🏽 Grooming Favorites for Labs

🖤 In a Nutshell: It’s All About Building Trust

The first groom sets the tone for all future ones. The goal is to make sure your Lab feels safe, clean, and confident and that you as a pet parent feel relieved knowing your pup’s in good hands.

If you’re still nervous or have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out or request to book a grooming appointment.