Wiggle-Waggles

What makes our Puppy Programme different

We’re teaching puppies using science backed behaviour techniques that grooming is safe, predictable and manageable. It is a bonding and educational fun experience for both you and your puppy as we encourage you to stay with your puppy until your puppy learns that they are safe without you.

The programme is suitable if your puppy is:

New to grooming
Under a year old

⭐For puppy parents

Puppy sessions at Wiggle Waggles are as much about you as they are about your pup.

You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how grooming actually works
We chat through everything to do with grooming with you from which brushes suit your puppy’s coat, to how we gently introduce dryers, clippers and scissors in a calm, puppy-friendly way.
We chat through coat changes, styling options and what different looks mean for day-to-day maintenance, all in a relaxed, no-pressure way.
Think of it as a confidence-building experience you share together — learning, watching, celebrating small wins and helping your puppy discover that grooming can be a positive, happy part of life.

🌱 Visit 1: First introductions (confidence building)

This visit is all about positive first experiences.

Your pup will be welcomed into the salon to have a good explore the salon calmly, with plenty of sniffing and treats
Meet their groomer and learn that we’re friendly and predictable
If your puppy is confident we may progress to some of the activities listed in the visits below and if your puppy is more unsure, we’ll take a slower, more minimal approach so they don’t get too overwhelmed.
Be gently touched on the body, paws and face (only if they’re comfortable)
Be introduced to a brush on easy areas like the back
Hear grooming sounds (dryer or clippers) at a distance, without pressure

There may be no bathing or cutting at all — and that’s absolutely fine. The goal is simply: “This place feels safe, and I'm happy to be here.”

🌿 Visit 2: Gentle handling & familiarisation

On the second visit your puppy will be familiar with the salon and we will build on what went well last time. Your puppy might:

Spend short periods on the grooming table
Have light brushing on more areas of the body
Practice having paws held and nails gently touched
Be introduced to the bath without necessarily being bathed
Experience brief, low-level drying with treats or a lick mat
We gradually introduce your pup to the louder sounds in the salon; such has the bath hose, dryers, clippers and scizzors. This is done in a gentle, controlled manner so a positive association with our grooming is built and it is not stressful to your puppy. If ready, we’ll do an ear clean and nail clip

🌼 Visit 3: Mini groom & skill building

As confidence grows and your pup is used to being in the salon with us, and gained our trust, we can start to introduce elements of a mini groom and your puppy might:

Have a nice relaxing bath
A gentle cuddle dry
Tidying around the eyes, feet or hygiene areas
Continued desensitisation to scissors, clippers and dryer
Learning calm behaviours like standing still or resting on the table

Some puppies love this stage quickly. Others need a few repeats — both are completely normal.

🌸 Ongoing visits: Preparing for full grooms

Over time, visits gradually become more like a full groom, always guided by:

Your puppy’s emotional wellbeing
Their body language on the day
What they’ve already shown they’re comfortable with

For some puppies, this happens in 3 visits. For others, it may take a little longer — and that’s a success, not a failure.