Puppy Grooming for Bichon Frises

Puppy grooming, while not complicated, is still important for Bichon Frise puppies. Start working with your pup early, to get her used to being handled.

Bichons Frises are high-maintenance dogs that require regular pet grooming, and most owners will tell you it’s best to have this done by someone who knows how to groom a dog.

However, even with regular appointments at the pooch salon, you’ll need some pet grooming supplies on hand for regular home grooming in between visits to the groomer.

Regular grooming will keep matting of your Bichon Frise’s thick hair to a minimum, and it will keep his skin healthier.

Bichon Frise Puppy Hair Styles

You should make an appointment with a professional pet groomer every 4 to 6 weeks. A professional groomer will wash your Bichon’s hair, trim his nails, and cut and style his coat.

Why a hair stylist?  Just like you, your Bichon Frise puppy needs a hairstyle. Many Bichon owners who are not showing their dogs, opt for a low-maintenance cut for their Bichons called a puppy cut. This keeps the coat short and minimizes matting.

If you intend to show your dog, your groomer will give him a show cut, which keeps his full coat. The show cut gives the Bichon Frise the “marshmallow” look for which the breed is known.

In between salon visits, you are your dog’s groomer. Bichons don’t lose the hair they shed. It becomes tangled in their coats and forms tight mats.

Too much of this matting can lead to nasty skin conditions which will make your dog miserable.

Start Puppy Grooming Early

You can’t avoid grooming Bichon Frise dogs, even as puppies. Get your puppy used to the grooming experience as soon as possible, in a gentle and non-stressful manner.

Groom or bathe your dog at the same place each time if possible.

• Use slow movements to keep from alarming your dog.
• Let him get comfortable by sniffing the tools.
• Bring out special bath time toys and treats.
• Talk to him and explain what you are doing. Your puppy will enjoy your talking to him.
• Let your puppy get used to the sound of the blow dryer. Use short bursts of air until he grows accustomed to the air and the noise.
• Praise and reward him when he shows good behavior.

Bichon Frises love praise and they are eager to please. If you approach grooming in a calm manner, your grooming tasks will become a fun time spent with your pet.

Puppy Grooming at Home

Brush your Bichon’s coat a few times a week to remove shed hair and keep his coat from matting. Many groomers recommend a brushing every day, even for a puppy cut.

If your Bichon Frise has a show cut, you’ll need to brush him at least once a day to keep that cottony look to his coat.

Your Bichon should have a bath about every two weeks to remove dead skin and dirt. More frequent bathing can dry out his skin and cause irritation and itching.  Consider using a hypoallergenic shampoo that is gentle on your puppy’s skin.

If you bathe your Bichon yourself, brush him out before the bath to remove as much shed hair and dirt as possible.

A wet coat is more prone to matting. After the bath, you’ll need to blow him dry, using a low heat setting and high air flow. Comb his coat again gently, to remove any leftover shed.

Puppy Grooming Supplies

For home pet grooming, you’ll need a few pet grooming supplies to make the job easier and less messy. Choose high quality grooming equipment. It will make your job easier and is well worth any added expense.

• A Finishing Comb– A finishing comb is great for fluffing your dog’s outer coat, for its finishing touches.
• De-matting Comb– No matter how careful you are, you dog is bound to get mats in his hair. A de-matting tool will help you remove them easily.
• Slicker Brush– also helps remove mats. This slicker brush has soft bristles and an ergonomic design, so that it will be easy on you. It has a 10 year guarantee.
• A Comb for the Undercoat– Use a rake for your dog’s undercoat and it will help you work through mats, tangles, or stubborn knots in his coat. Your dog’s undercoat will always require some attention. But you’ll also have to be careful not to damage his delicate skin.
• Grooming Scissors – You’ll need grooming scissors with rounded ends, to prevent injury to your dog’s eyes and ears.
• A Dog Hair Dryer– Use a quiet dog hair dryer with a low heat setting for drying and fluffing your dog’s coat after bathing.

Puppy grooming your Bichon Frise can be a daunting task, but for Bichon lovers, it’s a labor of love.

Keep a positive attitude toward your grooming tasks, and buy quality grooming tools, and the job will be easy.

Grooming is a time for bonding, and you’ll both come to love the relaxing time that you spend together each day.