The grooming process should be a pleasant experience, not a difficult one for you or for the pup. The following tips will help prepare your puppy for professional grooming. Handle the feet of your puppy while petting, holding or just while laying beside you. For the bath, lower the pup slowly into about 4 inches of warm water. Use a cup to wet the entire coat and massage in the shampoo. Rinse thoroughly with fresh water. To dry the pup, use warm towels from the dryer, vigorously rubbing the coat. Place the pup on the counter on a tub mat, securing the puppy with a grooming noose if possible. Like an eye hook attached to the bottom of overhead cabinet. Hold the pup firmly teaching him to stand. Blow dry if needed then brush the coat in opposite direction that it grows. Clip nails, clean ears with cleaning solution. Tools that will be needed: Puppy and adult nail clippers Fine to medium tooth comb Slicker brush Oatmeal shampoo. Your adult Standard Poodle does not need to be bathed between trips to the groomer unless he gets into something that causes him to smell or for skin health issues. If you need to bathe him always use a mild shampoo. Remember a good brushing will give your Standard Poodle the appearance of just having a bath. Your Standard Poodle should be professionally groomed every 6 to 8 weeks, but not until after the full series of shots has been completed. The groomer should ALWAYS pluck the hair from the ears, clip the nails and express anal glands.