Grooming Instructions for a Cocker Spaniel

Breeds like the poodle and cocker spaniel need to be regularly groomed, as their long shaggy coats can oftentimes get dirty or grow to lengths that hinder the dog's comfort. Grooming your cocker spaniel yourself can be a time-consuming task.

Things You'll Need

  • Large pin brush
  • Steel comb
  • Matting comb
  • Electric buzzer
  • trimming blade
  • #7 or 8 1/2 trimming blade
  • Oster Clipper A5
  • Medicated ear powder
  • Lanolin coat conditioner
  • Guillotine nail clipper
  • Scissors
  • Thinning shears
  • Artificial tears eye drops
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Instructions

    • 1

      Brush the entire coat with the pin brush and follow it with the steel comb to remove tangles from the coat before you trim. Use the matting comb to get rid of any thick matting that the brush and comb can't get.

    • 2

      Attach the trimming blade to the electric buzzer and trim around the area 1/2 inch from the anus, never actually trimming the anus. Trim underneath the tail, the pelvis area between the navel and groin, the front of the neck, the inside and outside of the upper section of the ears and the head.

    • 3

      Attach the #7 or #8 1/2 trimming blade to the buzzer and trim the entire back from the back of the neck to the tip of the tail.

    • 4

      Clip the nails using the nail clippers. Be careful when clipping the dog's nails as cutting them too short could cause the dog pain.

    • 5

      Clip any extra hair from the between the pads of his paws, the feathering on his legs and the paws themselves.

    • 6

      Use the thinning shears to blend out any uneven hair on the hindquarters, front legs, chest and under the chest if necessary.

    • 7

      Brush the coat down again to remove any loose hairs, shake the medicated powder into his ears and work the conditioner into his coat to give it a soft texture and a nice gloss.

    • 8

      Place some of the drops into his eyes to remove any hair. You may have to do this during the trimming process.