The Zim Family Cocker Spaniel Forum

So, first and foremost: I love my dog. He's a 5 year old Cocker Spaniel and has beautiful soft brown and off white fur. He's been such a good dog and is always fun to be around. So now here's the problem:

-Grizz (my dog) is deathly afraid of water/scissors/shampoo/leashes/dog groomers.
-Grizz is an outside dog who is always getting dirty
-I used to comb him once every 2 days but now I've moved out of my parent's house and the fur is completely matted.
-The last time we had Grizz under control to groom him properly (meaning get his hair cut) was probably 2 years ago.
-His fur is soooo matted at this point that I am helpless on what to do.

Please, please, please, PLEASE send me ANY advice that can help me save my dog and ultimately improve his help. I can't stand seeing him this way :( I am desperate for any kid of help. Where do I start? Any advice is welcomed.

Thank you!

I would start by making him an indoor dog as any cocker should be...as pretty much any breed should be in a COLD cold climate. If you are unable to care for him as he needs to be, have you considered rescue?

I would HIGHLY, STRONGLY, MOST-ASSUREDLY recommend the $30 DVD made by Jim. Amazing - and he explains the table/arm/noose technique... and encourages those of us who are nervous to just give a go at it - even for a little bit, then come back again after a few days and do a little more.

Since it has been a really long while since your dog has been groomed, i would have him shaved down completely. There could potentially be skin problems under those mats, and there will be no salvaging the hair at this point.

Honestly, for such a serious shave down (that will most likely take 3-4 hours) i would find a groomer to do it.

After you have him shaved down completely, you need to get him used to grooming. Brush him every day (even while his hair is completely shaved) to get him used to it. Use treats, and LOTS of them. Have him in the bathroom with you while you have the blow dryer on. Have him in there while you are taking a shower. Since it has been 2 years since he has been properly groomed, i would imagine he is afraid of all of those things.

Many of us will use peanut butter smeared in the bath tub for a dog that isn't familiar, or afraid of the tub.

If you are then wanting to groom yourself, i would invest in a good set of clippers (you will find the recommendations for good clippers with the search feature) and a couple other necessities, but for the shave down, i would still highly suggest a groomer.

Also, Cockers are not really outdoor dogs (due to their LOVE for human contact - they are velcro dogs) so if you are unable to have him as an indoor dog, then Cockers may not be the right breed for you.

I agree, make him an indoor dog! Or at least outdoor partially & not completely. I see you live in Utah. Its Cold there!
Bring him in! I'm not telling you how to live your life - but Cockers are very much people dogs, and need to be around people!
They are very much "velcro dogs". We all say that around here, and we have a reason for it - they are constantly at your feet,
and they like it that way. I do too, TBH! Keeps him out of trouble...well most of the time.

I also agree with Dani, get him shaved down ; if he hasn't been groomed in 2 years ; I bet he is a mess. Find a groomer to do this.
Its NOT going to be easy if you do it yourself, because if i was betting he is going to have skin issues & put up a real fight ; and both you
and the dog will just end up frustrated. No point in it. After shaving him down, if you still want to groom him yourself purchase the Zims
Grooming DVD. Jim has a link to it on his Grooming Page. It has a list of different
grooming materials you will need such as a Nice pair of Clippers, Oil for the Clippers, Two-Sided Brush, & Grooming Table. I just invested
in a Grooming table - I didn't have the money to purchase it before, and I got it for Christmas! Its VERY helpful, thats for sure.

If you start to brush the dog out everyday or 4-6 days out of the week; it will get better. He will learn to like being brushed, grooming may
take a while ; some dogs handle it better then others. Rudy is AWESOME. He doesn't put up a fight at all, expect bath time! He runs to the couch ; and turns into a log! But, Grooming he is perfect, we started at a young age.

If you can't keep up with his Grooming & Keeping him Indoors, I would also agree with Dani & Debbie when they say Cockers may not
be the breed for you, they are very high maintenance, IMO; Grooming, Training, Attention, etc. They are beautiful dogs; but not for
everyone, thats for sure! Maybe consider re-homing him to someone who has the time, talk with local rescues; but please don't drop him at a shelter, if all possible. I hope this doesn't come off offensive, I'm just giving you my honest opinion. Good luck.

Shaving him down is what will need to be done, but if he is tossed back outside in the frigid weather in Utah he will be TOTALLY miserable, dangerously exposed IMO

I would also get him vetted. He probably has some serious ear infections going. Has he had his shots? A groomer will want a record of that.

I am not trying to be rude, but if you have left home or can't give him the regular care he needs, and he must remain outside dog, please turn him over to a rescue...NOT the pound or a shelter, but a real rescue who will give him the care he needs and rehome him.

I'm going with the rest I'm afraid - he will need shaving down, bringing inside, and gradually getting used to brushing and baths while his fur is short and there won't be knots to worry about. Surely there's somewhere in your house he can live, cockers really aren't happy living outside.

I am going to go a different route than everyone else, although I agree he needs to be shaved down. I think he needs to get to the vet ASAP! A cocker (or any other dog) does not belong living out in the cold, this is neglect in my opinion. As far as the grooming, the mats are probably very deep right now and he may need to be put under anesthesia to access the damage. Please do not attempt the first grooming at home, it will most likely be very painful and you do not want him to associate you with pain. Watch this video and you will understand what I mean.


http://www.campcocker.com/in-memory-of-peanut/