How to Take Care of Cocker Spaniels

Cocker Spaniels are one of the most popular and well-known dog breeds. Cocker Spaniels are a happy and easily trainable breed, contributing to their popularity as a family dog. Caring for Cocker Spaniels can be achieved by nearly anyone, with a little bit of time and knowledge.

Things You'll Need

  • Toys
  • Treats
  • Crate
  • Collar
  • Lead
  • Food and water bowls
  • Dog food
  • Grooming supplies
  • Cotton Balls
  • Eye Wash
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Call your vet and make an appointment to have your Cocker Spaniel examined. Regular vet checks and vaccinations are vital to ensuring the health of your dog.

    • 2

      Offer your dog plenty of fresh water and high-quality dog food. Many dog foods are made with substandard ingredients, so choose a good-quality food. The Dog Food Project website offers a good amount of information regarding dog food choices. Cockers care prone to food allergies, so choose your dog's food carefully.

    • 3

      Groom your Cocker Spaniel regularly. Cockers are a breed that requires frequent clipping and brushing. Keeping your dog properly groomed avoids painful mats or tangles. Check you Cocker's skin after you clip him for signs of primary seborrhea, a skin condition common in Cocker Spaniels. Report any scaly or itchy spots to your vet for diagnosis.

    • 4

      Clean your Cocker Spaniel's eyes frequently. Cockers are prone to a host of eye diseases such as distichia, conjunctivitis and cataracts, so cleaning them often will help you to monitor and avoid these problems. Use a cotton ball and good eye cleaning solutions to remove any fluid or buildup from around the eyes.

    • 5

      Trim the hair from inside your Cocker Spaniel's ears. Cockers have a high incidence of ear infections, so their ears must be kept clean and dry at all times. Cut the hair with a small pair of scissors and remove it from the ear. Clean your Cocker's ears with a cotton ball soaked in an alcohol/water solution. This will ensure that you remove any moisture and grime from the dog's ear.

    • 6

      Crate your Cocker Spaniel when you are not home. Crating your dog will make sure that she stays out of trouble while you are gone.

    • 7

      Keep a collar on your Cocker Spaniel at all times. A collar is a good place to attach your dog’s identification tags, so be sure that your dog’s collar is strong and in good repair.

    • 8

      Exercise your Cocker Spaniel frequently. The Cocker Spaniel is a sporting breed with a high amount of energy and frequent play or walks will help him to burn off that excess energy.

    • 9

      Train your Cocker Spaniel. Cockers are highly intelligent dogs and they benefit from short, frequent training sessions. A bored Cocker Spaniel will act out aggressively. But, keeping him well-trained will help to avoid any behavior problems.