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 good 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, 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 and pads of the feet.  Wet hair in these areas will mat easily and become painful for your dog.

  Whether your Cocker is kept in a full show coat or a field trim, coat trimming should be done about every 6 - 8 weeks.  (A Cocker who is being actively shown may need more frequent grooming sessions).  A professional groomer may be needed, or this can be done at home.  There are many books available on dog grooming to assist the beginner.  Toenails will need to be checked and carefully trimmed as needed at this time.

 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, or 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 through the hairs between the pads to remove tangles which can become painful if left unattended.  Electric clippers can be used to  gently trim the hair even with the pads 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 + warmth = the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.  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, 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.

Tooth-brushing 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.  At 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.