How To Groom Your Cocker Spaniel PuppyIt's important to establish a regular grooming routine for your Cocker Spaniel puppy so that he quickly becomes accustomed to the grooming process.
If this is not established when he's a very young puppy, you'll almost certainly have difficulties grooming your dog when he's older. If your puppy objects to being man-handled, be firm, and continue grooming. If he tries to bite your fingers while being brushed, tap him very gently on the nose and say "No" in a disapproving tone. Learn how to stop your puppy biting It's best to establish and maintain control - you are the alpha dog - his 'pack leader'. Your Cocker Spaniel puppy won't begin to develop feathering until he's about 6 months old, so his grooming sessions up to then should only take a few minutes. Brushing Your Cocker Spaniel Puppy It may be easier if you stand your puppy on a table while you brush him.
You may want to place a bath mat on the table to prevent your puppy from slipping. Brush your puppy gently from head to tail with a soft bristle brush. Using a metal comb or a metal pin brush, gently comb his ears and his legs. If there are any knots or tangles, try to tease them out with your fingers, or with the end of the metal comb. Be careful not to pull your puppy's fur otherwise you may hurt him, and he may begin to resent being groomed. Learn to brush an adult Cocker Spaniel 'Trimming' Your Cocker Spaniel Puppy Using a pair of blunt round-ended scissors, pretend to cut your puppy's fur around his paws and ears. This will help your Cocker Spaniel puppy get used to the sound that snipping scissors make. When your puppy is older he will sit quietly while you trim him. Cocker Spaniel Puppy Paws and Claws Dogs can be sensitive about having their paws handled, so it's best to get your Cocker Spaniel puppy used to this at a very early age.  Begin by picking up his paws. Stroke them gently and then examine them - don't do anything more, simply praise him and offer him a treat for letting you handle his paws. Repeat this training exercise each day until your puppy is happy to have his paws handled. It's possible for debris such as seed heads, grass, twigs etc., to get caught in between the toes or pads of the feet, which, if left, could cause pain or lead to infection. It's important to check for these regularly, and to keep the fur growing on the underside of the paws trimmed level with the pads. Never remove the fur from between the pads as your puppy needs this fur to protect his paws. Gently comb his paws and check in between his toes. Get your puppy used to the feel of a steel comb between his toes, but be very gentle as this can be a sensitive area. When you think he's ready, hold your Cocker Spaniel puppy's paw in both hands and squeeze very gently. Next, carefully lift each nail, in turn, between your finger and thumb. Don't forget to praise and reward your puppy. Repeat this each day until he's accustomed to the exercise. Your new puppy may not need his nails trimming just yet, but now is the time to acclimatise him to the sight, feel and sound of nail clippers, scissors, and nail file. By the time your Cocker Spaniel puppy is ready to have his nails clipped, he will be accustomed to having his paws handled, and it will easily become part of his grooming routine. Please read our article on cutting your dog's nails before you cut your puppy's nails for the first time. When you've read the article, and you feel confident, begin by clipping only one nail each day - gradually work up to all four paws. Praise your puppy and offer him a tasty treat. If you still don't feel confident about the procedure, we recommend that you ask your vet or groomer to show you how before you try yourself. Cocker Spaniel Puppy Eyes Gently clear away any sleep from your puppy's eyes with damp cotton wool. Use a separate piece of cotton wool for each eye to avoid transferring possible infection. Learn about health problems that could affect your dog's eyes during his lifetime. Cocker Spaniel Puppy Ears Keep his ears clean by using a lightly moistened cotton bud, but do not push the bud into the ear canal as this could seriously damage your puppy's ear. Again, use a separate cotton bud for each ear to avoid cross infection. Learn about possible infections in your dog's ears. Dental Care For Your Cocker Spaniel Puppy Your puppy's dental care is very important. You should check your puppy's teeth regularly for signs of gum disease. Gum disease can be very painful and can lead to teeth loss and other health problems. Your puppy's gums should be a healthy pink.
If your puppy has bad breath, or his gums look pale, or conversely, are red and swollen, it would be advisable to take him to see the vet. If your Cocker Spaniel puppy gets used to his mouth and teeth being inspected, it will be much easier for you when he's older. You can help to keep your puppy's teeth clean by brushing his teeth twice a week. You can buy puppy toothbrushes and toothpaste from most pet stores or from your vet. Never use toothpaste meant for humans as it can upset their stomachs if swallowed. Begin by gently rubbing your finger over your puppy's teeth and gums. He may not be too happy with this but we recommend you persevere. You could try dipping your finger into a little beef or chicken stock if your puppy refuses to open his mouth. When your puppy is used to his teeth and gums being rubbed, you can try to introduce the toothbrush and a little toothpaste. Learn how to brush your puppy's teeth. Dental sticks can help to keep your puppy's teeth clean and tartar free. It is said that feeding your dog dry food (kibble) also helps to keep teeth clean. Learn how to brush your dog's teeth
Your Puppy's Bottom Check your puppy's bottom area to ensure he's clean, and that his bottom looks healthy. If necessary, use a cotton wool ball, moistened with warm water, to clean the area. All dogs can suffer from impacted anal glands, which can be very painful if infection occurs. To learn about impacted anal glands follow this link.
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Ensure you have all that you'll need for your grooming session; don't leave your puppy alone whilst he's on the table - he may fall and injure himself.