How to Give A Cocker Spaniel A Summer Puppy Cut

Start With A Rough Cut

• Step 1:
  Gather all of the supplies needed for clipping the dog. Having everything ready prevents you from leaving the dog on the grooming table while getting something.
• Step 2:
  Place the pet on the grooming table, using the appropriate precautions when lifting. Use grooming straps to secure the dog.
• Step 3:
  Brush and comb through the entire dog's coat, using the matt breaker if necessary. This is critical, as matts will catch on the clippers and injure the dog.
• Step 4:
  Start at the face of the cocker spaniel. Using a No. 9 or No. 10 clipper blade, shave the entire face clean going in the direction of the hair growth. Take special care in removing the hair near the cocker spaniel's eyes, using the clippers opposite the hair growth in this area.
• Step 5:
  Use a No. 10 blade on the pet clippers to trim the inside of both ears. Be careful of the folds in the cocker spaniel ear. Use a cool, sharp blade.
• Step 6:
  Starting at the base of the skull, use whatever blade length you chose for the body of the cocker spaniel puppy cut. If you chose a clip on comb attachment for a longer puppy cut, place it over a No. 9 blade first. Always clip the entire body of the cocker spaniel in the direction of the hair growth.
• Step 7:
  Use a No.10 blade on the pet clippers to shave under the hind legs up to the middle of the stomach.
• Step 8:
  Use a No.10 blade on the pet clipper to shave under the tail and around the anus. Use care in this area not to allow the clippers to make contact with the anus as irritations may occur.
• Step 9:
  Use a No.10 blade on the dog clippers and clip all of the hair between the pads on each of the cocker spaniel's feet. Spread the toes and trim the hair between from the bottom.
• Step 10:
  Clip the toenails with the nail clippers. Have the styptic powder handy in case a toenail gets cut too close. To avoid cutting too close, hold the nail clippers flat against the pads of the dog's foot and trim small amounts at a time to where the nail curves slightly.
• Step 11:
  Bathe the cocker spaniel and use a conditioning cream rinse to soften the coat for the finish clip. Make sure all matts are removed prior to bathing, as water will make them tighter.
• Step 12:
  Completely dry the dog with a blow dryer or towel. If using towels, wait until the dog is completely dry before finishing the puppy cut.
• Step 13:
  Use a finish blade, marked with the same blade number as you used for the rough cut, but followed by an "F". For example, I used a No.4 blade for the rough cut on my cocker spaniel, so I will use a No.4F blade for the finish puppy cut. Clip the entire body of the dog with the finish blade.
• Step 14:
  Trim the legs of the dog with scissors or the pet clippers, depending on the length you like. For longer hair length on the legs, comb the pet hair from the foot to the hip and trim in a downward motion with grooming scissors. Lay scissors even with table to trim around the dog's feet.
• Step 15:
  Comb through the cocker spaniel's ears, from both inside and outside. Trim around the edge of the ear from the inside and the outside to get them even.