The Zim Family Cocker Spaniel Forum

I have never had a dog before that needs to be groomed, I'm lost. He's actually not looking too terrible so far but I'm worried about when to go vs Winter. He is currently about 3 months old. I want to find a cut that will last as much through winter as I can (is that a puppy cut?), I don't want him being cold. We live in MT so it definitely gets chilly here. It shouldn't be too awful, temp wise, until late October/early November. His hair is still quite short, although the legs are getting a bit curly and there are a few curls on his sides that looks like a man with a bad comb over .

I don't think I'm capable of shaving him, I am too scared of cutting his skin so I'll need to use a groomer. I'm fine with trimming him using scissors, which I've done with the few curls winging up and he looks good right now. I am so totally in love with this little turkey already, I want him to look and feel good but I desperately need advice if anyone has suggestions. Thanks!

Assuming you are taking care of his hair, you will be fine to go several months for his body. His little face, however, is going to start looking overgrown soon! Trust me, I have been there done that...I didn't cut my Oliver's hair until maybe 5 or 6 month's old, and he looked like an entirely different dog when it was done! I would just wait until you think he doesn't look so hot, and then make an appointment.

If he is FULLY vaccinated then I would start grooming him
Now. Every groomed has a diff opinion of a puppy cut. Be careful with that term

I reread your post. At his age he wouldn't be fully vaccinated

He should be done with shots soon, and I would start taking him then. I wouldn't have the groomer do a full cut on him, just a face tidy if he'll allow it, and a bath and gentle blow dry to get him used to the whole process. I would take him once a month to do this while working with him at home.

Try and find a groomer who is interested in making a good dog to groom for life, not one that is going to let the puppy sit in a cage for hours or rush him through the process only to leave him scared.

Also the comment about getting him a cut that will last through winter scares me a bit. Cockers need to be groomed on a regular basis, they can't be left for months or you'll for sure end up with skin issues. Grooming doesn't mean shaving down to the skivvies. Make sure your groomer is capable of doing cuts that aren't shave downs too.

from someone that works at a grooming salon, i would suggest as soon as vaccinated get him in for a "puppys first grooming"

I would also suggest to do it during the week when the salon is not terribly busy. Puppies are notoriously freaked out their first time in a grooming salon. It's a new place with new smells, and a lot going on. Grooming puppies on Saturdays is pretty much the worst days to groom them, since the salon is insanely busy, and your pup will not get groomed as quickly as if they are groomed during the week. Call and ask what their least busy day and time is and take him then if you can.

Some things i would suggest working on before his first grooming:

The sound of a blow dryer (put him in the bathroom with you while you blow dry your hair)
Holding his face (hold it for a second and treat him, elongate the time)
Touching and playing with his paws (while lounging around with him, just play with his paws a little, stick your fingers between his pads, treat him)
Brush him. Your groomer will most likely be using a slicker brush on him, so i would suggest using one of those on him to get him used to it.

Groomers hate the term "puppy cut" because it means different things for everyone. If you have a specific cut in mind, i would suggest taking in a picture of that cut. If you chose to go the shaved back route, i would suggest showing the groomer where you want the line, if you know. Groomers tend to do Cocker lines like Schnauzer lines (wayyyyy too low) and create the "tutu" look.

I know you said that you would like a cut that lasts through winter, and shorter cut will work for that, but please know, that most Cockers should be groomed once every 2 months at the least. Even my slow growing older girl needs her face, ears, feet, and sani done once a month. Cockers tend to mat, and get very oily and dirty much quicker than most other breeds.

I would check into mobile groomers that come to your home for one on one the first time. My groomer came to my home before Hannah was old enough to visit the grooming shop. She was so furry you could not see her eyes. She was gentle and took the time and now of course she loves it and goes right in with them.

I second Deborah, try and find a mobile groomer. The dogs get one on one attention and are in and out in the least possible time. Start early to get them used to it. Both mine started being groomed at around 10 to 12 weeks by our mobile groomer and they both love her to pieces and get the zoomies everytime she visits the house. Now thanks to Julie Hydro we do the grooming ourselves but still have to use our Mobile groomer once in a while. It is best to find a picture of a cut you like and start from there.