How to Groom a Cocker Spaniel Puppy

Cocker spaniel puppies are naturally curious and can get into everything. They require a throughout grooming at least once a month. Grooming the puppy at an early age will help it become accustomed to being handled as an adult. This can also be a wonderful bonding experience for the puppy and for the rest of the family.

Things You'll Need

  • Table
  • Soft-bristled dog brush
  • Metal dog comb
  • Blunt scissors
  • Dog nail clippers
  • Towel
  • Hand towel
  • Warm water
  • Cottons balls
  • Tooth brush
  • Puppy toothpaste
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set the puppy onto a table and brush it with a soft-bristled dog brush. Begin at the head and work your way down the back. Use a metal comb to brush the puppy's ears and legs. Work out any tangles in the fur with your fingers and then brush again with the appropriate instrument.

    • 2

      Snip the scissors around the puppy's face and ears without actually cutting the fur. This will help the puppy become accustomed to this sound when it is time to trim the animal, which may not be for several months.

    • 3

      Lift up each of the puppy's paws and check for any rocks or twigs between the toes. If there are an, remove them immediately. Gently comb the fur between the toes with a fine-toothed metal comb.

    • 4

      Handle the puppy's nails by gently touching and turning them. Place the nail clipper near the nails and make the snipping sound. The puppy will probably not need to have its nails trimmed yet, but this will help it become accustomed to the sound of the clippers.

      If the puppy is old enough, hold it on your lap with a towel and pull the nail away from the skin. Snip approximately 2 mm of the nail, no more. Cut one nail a day if the puppy resists a great deal. Otherwise, you can clip all the nails in one sitting.

    • 5

      Wipe away any debris from around the puppy's eyes with a warm, moist towel.

    • 6

      Moisten a cotton ball and rub the inside of the puppy's ear flaps, avoiding the ear canal. Use a separate cotton ball on each ear to avoid cross contaminating.

    • 7

      Rub your puppy's teeth and gums with your finger to accustom the puppy to the feeling of something in its mouth. To brush the teeth, place a small amount of puppy toothpaste onto a toothbrush and brush the teeth for as long as the puppy will allow. The puppy's teeth should be brushed twice a week.

    • 8

      Look at the puppy's rear end to ensure that it is clean. If there is any debris, wipe it away with a cotton ball that has been moistened with warm water.