Trimming is an essential element of grooming your Cocker Spaniel. Regular trimming not only ensures that your pet looks good, clean, and hygienic, but it is also vital for his/her health. The long curls of your beloved pet can easily tangle and lead to infections and injuries. If you are not a professional groomer and want to trim your Cocker Spaniel, here are tips on how to trim a cocker spaniel at home.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Trim A Cocker Spaniel at Home

If you’ve recently purchased or adopted a Cocker Spaniel and are ready to trim the luscious hair for the first time, here are a few tips on how to trim a cocker spaniel :

1. Get the Right Grooming Products

To begin with, you’ll need the right set of grooming tools for a Cocker Spaniel. As Cocker Spaniels have a lot of hair, only products designed for pet grooming should be considered. Here is an overview of some grooming must-haves-

  • Pin brush

  • Matting comb

  • Grooming scissors and shears

  • Dog clippers with blades in sizes 3 ¾, 10, and 15

Also, note that you should also purchase quality shampoo and conditioner for bathing your pet. Consult your vet or dog trainer to know more about the top brands you can consider for the purchase.

2. Choose A Cut

Now that you have the basic grooming products, it is time for you to select a cut for your Cocker Spaniel. The ‘puppy cut’ is one of the popular Cocker Spaniel haircuts among owners. It is a short hair trim that creates an even coat all over the pet’s body. But even after the puppy cut, your pet will still need regular grooming at least once every 2-3 weeks. Read our dedicated guide on how often Cocker Spaniels need haircuts for recommended haircut and grooming schedule.

Choose a Cut

So, while selecting a cut, do consider the Cocker Spaniel grooming requirements. Fancy trims generally have a lot of regular grooming needs. So, unless it is a show dog, consider cuts like the puppy cut as it makes grooming a little easier to manage.

3. Start Trimming

Use the matting comb and pin brush to give a decent overall brushing and combing. This will help remove the matted fur and hair shed. Remember that Cocker Spaniels have an undercoat and an overcoat. Brush and comb both the coats.

Now that you’re ready to trim, follow these steps-

  • Use the clipper with blade 15 or 10 to first trim the face, neck, and head

  • Flip the ears down and use the same blade to trim the ears

  • Use blade 7 to trim the entire upper body up to the tail

  • Turn your dog on the back and trim the back and belly

  • To trim the hair on their paws, comb and the hair neatly and trim it with the help of a scissor

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, trimming a cocker spaniel will be an easy task for you. Keep these tips in mind if you’re about to trim your Cocker Spaniel for the first time. If your pet’s fur is looking dull, do check out our blog post on ways to keep a Cocker Spaniel’s fur shiny.