A clean, well-groomed Cocker Spaniel is a sight to behold......and a joy to hold!  Regular grooming sessions will help your dog become comfortable with the grooming process and keep him looking and feeling his best.  Whether you've purchased your Cocker for show or pet, the following (along with a high-quality diet) is essential  for healthy skin and coat:

Brush the coat with a pin brush and/or slicker brush 1 - 2 times a week.  

Follow-up by going over the coat with a wide-toothed comb to find any tangles that may have been missed.  Pay close attention to armpits, tops of the feet between the toes, between the rear legs, belly coat, and the ear fringe as these areas tend to mat easily.

Depending on how dirty your dog gets, bathe your Cocker about every 2 - 4 weeks with a mild shampoo (Cockers have sensitive skin so avoid using harsh Flea Shampoos).  Using a good conditioner after the bath is essential to make grooming easier, especially for Cockers who are kept in full show coat.  Never bathe a dog who is matted; be sure to brush/comb out all tangles prior to bathing.  When matted hair gets wet, the mats become tighter.   Avoid brushing muddy/dirty feet or ears or areas of the coat that are soiled with urine.  This will break off the coat.  Shampoo and rinse these areas well then brush out while blow-drying.

Dry your Cocker thoroughly after a bath with a warm-air dryer, paying special attention to the armpits and between the toes/pads of the feet.  Wet hair in these areas will mat easily and become painful for your dog.  Be sure to completely comb out the coat after it is dry.  

Whether your Cocker is kept in a full show coat or a field cut, coat trimming should be done about every 6 - 8 weeks.   The show Cocker trim is NOT the same as the pet Cocker trim or the field cut.  A professional groomer may be needed, but most grooming salons only do pet trims.  Be prepared to pay a professional groomer $47 - $50 every 8 weeks for the life of the dog to keep a pet Cocker clean and comfortably groomed.  OR.....A booklet called "The Cocker Spaniel Show Trim and So.....You Want to Show Your Cocker Spaniel" can be ordered from the American Spaniel Club.  It is very informative and well illustrated on how to do a Cocker show trim.  Order from their website:    http://www.asc-cockerspaniel.org/index.php/educational-materials.html

Toenails will need to be checked and carefully trimmed each time the dog is groomed or more often if needed.    

 Cockers have long hair growing between the pads on the bottom of their feet, so this area should be checked once a week for tangles, thorns, seeds, etc. which may have become imbedded in the pads or hair.  (When the hair is dry) use a small comb and gently comb the hairs between the pads on the bottom of the feet and between the toes on top of the feet to remove tangles which can become painful if left unattended.  Electric clippers can be used to trim the hair even with the pads on the bottom of the feet.

The Cocker Spaniel Breed is prone to ear infections due to their long ears which hang close to the head allowing for very little air circulation.  Wetness inside the ear canal + body warmth = the perfect breeding ground for bacteria (yeast).  The hair around the ear openings should be shaved close to provide for better air circulation.  The dog's ear canal is shaped like an "L", which does not permit water to drain out easily.  So, it is important not to get water in the ears during a bath.   A few drops of mineral oil in the ears prior to bath time will help water to be easily shaken out after the bath.  Or, place a cotton ball in each ear, remembering to remove them afterward.  Smell your dog's ears often.  A foul smell could possibly indicate an infection -- see your veterinarian at once.  Ear infections (commonly yeast infections) left unattended can cause hearing loss, not to mention severe pain for the dog.  After any ear infections are treated with an antibiotic, your veterinarian can advise you on a solution to use to clean the ears regularly and help keep them dry.

Some Cockers may have itchy, flaky skin problems; oatmeal shampoos are very soothing for this condition.  However, the problem is best resolved by starting from the inside of the dog -- always feed a high quality dog food.   Avoid grocery store brands and human foods (table scraps).   High quality dry dog foods containing Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids are very good for skin and coat.  Brewers Yeast Tablets, Linatone, Missing Link, Lipiderm, Nupro, or Kelp are just a few examples of food supplements that can be given to improve skin and coat.  If these options do not produce results, consult your veterinarian to inquire about having thyroid testing done.  Low thyroid can contribute to skin/coat problems.  Cockers have sensitive skin and stomachs so some skin issues my be attributed to food allergies which a vet can test for. 

Toothbrushing should begin at a very early age to get your dog accustomed to the process.  An unhealthy mouth can lead to periodontal disease which can be painful and result in the loss of teeth.  If not treated this disease will affect the heart, liver, and kidneys.  Always use a toothpaste specifically for dogs - flouride in human toothpaste can make a dog ill.  Around 3 years of age your Cocker should have a professional cleaning done by a veterinarian.  This should be done once a year thereafter.  

                                             

Brushing your Cocker's teeth 4 times a week, providing dental-type chew toys, tartar-control snacks, and feeding a dry dog food diet are great ways to help keep teeth clean.  Avoid canned dog foods as these are not as nutritionally complete (60 - 70% water) AND cause more plaque/tartar buildup on the teeth.  Seek your veterinarian's advice on a good dental hygiene program for your dog.