Your Guide to Caring for a Cocker Spaniel Puppy

Introduction

Owning a Cocker Spaniel is one of life’s greatest joys. With their gentle nature, soulful eyes, and playful spirit, Spaniels make loyal companions and cherished family members. Whether they’re bounding through fields or curled up on the sofa, their love is unconditional.

But to enjoy a happy, healthy life together, proper care is essential. From grooming and nutrition to exercise and training, every choice you make helps shape your dog’s wellbeing. This guide shares everything we’ve learned — so you can give your Spaniel the very best start and a lifetime of love.

The Importance of Grooming

The classic Spaniel trim isn’t just for show — it’s all about health, hygiene, and practicality. Every area of a well-groomed Spaniel serves a purpose, designed to keep your dog comfortable and reduce the risk of infections or injuries.

For example, the face and lower jaw are often shaved clean. That little spot under the chin? It's a hotspot for bacteria — keeping it short helps avoid buildup and irritation. The top third of the ears, inner ear, and head are kept neat using shears or hand-stripping to prevent moisture, debris, and infection.

Feet are trimmed to resemble a cat’s paw: clean, round, and free of excess hair to avoid dampness and matting between the toes. Moving to the rear, the bottom and underside of the tail are trimmed short. While flowing feathering looks pretty, it easily catches debris when your Spaniel does what they love most — exploring the great outdoors.

This practical trim keeps them healthier, happier, and always ready for their next adventure.

Understanding Coat Changes

Your Spaniel puppy will start off with a beautiful, glossy baby coat — but don’t be surprised when they suddenly start to resemble a fluffy sheepdog. That soft, fuzzy layer is completely normal and will naturally shed out over time, either through hand-stripping or gentle use of a Coat King. Your groomer can help guide you when the time is right.

This is one of the most common questions we get — and the answer depends on a few things. If your Spaniel has been spayed or neutered, you may find that the coat changes texture and never quite returns to that signature, silky gloss. While shaving might become necessary in these cases, we always recommend having the procedure done only if absolutely necessary, and with a second opinion from your vet.

Personally, we’re a bit Spaniel-snobby (you’ll understand once you’ve seen one in full show coat) — a well-groomed Spaniel should turn heads and stop people in their tracks! But, as with everything, health comes first, and if neutering or spaying is right for your dog, that decision takes priority.

If you're considering shaving purely for ease, it’s your choice and depends on your lifestyle. But proceed with caution: once the coat is shaved, it’s unlikely to return to its original condition. That glossy finish we all love is very hard to get back — so think carefully before taking the clippers to your Spaniel.

In short: we’ll always cheer for the show look, but we’ll never judge your choices — just don’t be surprised if we try to convert you into a full-blown Spaniel grooming nerd along the way.

Coat Care

Cocker Spaniels have luxurious coats that require regular maintenance. Brush your Spaniel at least once per week — and always after a walk. Debris often gets caught in sensitive areas like the ears, feet, and under the legs, where it can cause irritation or infection if not removed. Pay particular attention to damp hair between the toe pads, which can be a hotspot for bacteria. Long hair increases the risk of entanglement and skin problems, but with consistent care, these issues are easily avoided. Brushing not only reduces shedding, it also distributes natural oils for a healthy, glossy coat.

Bathing should be done about once per month, typically in line with your Spaniel's grooming trim, which is needed every 4–6 weeks. Regular trims help maintain that beautiful, show-ready look and keep your dog comfortable. Use pet-safe, gentle products and consider visiting pet shows or expos, where grooming products are often available at great prices.

Even with the best intentions, mats and tangles can still appear. The key is early detection. If you find a mat, apply a detangling spray and gently tease it out, or carefully trim it away using shears or grooming scissors — never pull. Weekly grooming, especially after walks, will go a long way in keeping your Spaniel's coat tangle-free and looking its best.

Essential Grooming Tools

Keeping your Spaniel looking their best requires the right tools — and a bit of practice. Here's what we recommend as part of a basic home grooming kit:

• A sturdy grooming table (non-slip and adjustable if possible)

• Scissors (including thinning shears for blending)

• A Coat King for coat thinning and deshedding

• A steel comb for everyday detangling

• An assortment of brushes (slicker, bristle, and pin)

• Finger cots/condoms for hand stripping

• Chalk for grip and coat texture

• A high-quality shaver for trimming sensitive areas

  
  

We highly recommend researching techniques on YouTube before getting started. Mike Wildman is a fantastic resource — his tutorials are easy to follow and full of expert tips.

And remember, we’re always happy to support you! Depending on your location, we’re available to walk you through the basics in person. While I’m not a professional groomer, I’ve learned how to keep our dogs looking polished and show-ready with consistency and care.

Treats & Nutrition

Choosing Healthy Treats

When it comes to treats, natural is always best. We’ve found that bones, trachea, and dried tripe are big favourites in our household — not only do they keep our Spaniels happily occupied, but they also help maintain clean, healthy teeth.

We avoid rawhide, as it can pose a serious choking hazard if swallowed. Always supervise treat time and speak with your local pet store for advice on the safest options for your pup.

It’s easy to accidentally overfeed during the early training phase, so here’s a great tip: weigh your puppy’s total daily food allowance in the morning, and use it throughout the day as training rewards. Puppies learn all the time — not just during scheduled sessions — so having kibble ready helps reinforce good behaviour naturally, without overfeeding.

Our Nutrition Choice

We use Royal Canin for our dogs, as it offers balanced nutrition and suits our routine well. But food is a personal decision — often a mix of convenience, budget, and your puppy’s specific needs. A fantastic resource to help you choose is allaboutdogfood.co.uk, which rates popular dog foods by their nutritional profile. We highly recommend giving it a look before deciding what to feed your pup.

Grooming Table Training

Surprise! One of the most important training lessons for a Spaniel is learning to stand calmly on the grooming table. Your pup will spend plenty of time there throughout their life, and grooming involves sharp tools — so safety is crucial.

We begin this training early, and your puppy will have had their first experience before coming home. After that, it’s over to you! We’ve found lickable treats work wonders here — think soft cheese in tubes, small yoghurt pots, or dog-safe spreads. Just keep the nutrition in mind and choose a healthy option your puppy loves. Make grooming a positive experience, and you’ll both enjoy it more.

Balancing the Diet

A healthy Spaniel is a happy Spaniel, and diet plays a huge role. Make sure your dog’s food is nutritionally balanced for their age, size, and activity level. Fresh water should always be available, and remember — a hydrated dog is more energetic, alert, and comfortable.

Need help building a feeding routine or choosing the right portions? Just ask — we’re always happy to share what works for us.

Exercise Requirements

Daily Exercise Needs

Ever heard someone say, “Spaniels are loopy!” or “You’ve got your hands full with that one”? We hear it all the time — but with show-bred Cocker Spaniels, it couldn’t be further from the truth. These dogs love their walks and playtime, but they’re also incredibly adaptable and can be calm and content on quieter days.

That’s one of the reasons they’re such a popular breed in the UK. Yes, our girls love their daily walks, but they also enjoy training sessions and games in the garden just as much. Show Cockers are equally suited to families and outdoorsy types alike.

Our routine? Around 2–3km walks, 3–4 times per week, longer on weekends when time allows. We also play ball games daily in our large garden — a great option on hot or freezing days when a proper walk might not be ideal.

And remember, mental stimulation matters just as much as physical — a puzzle toy or a quick obedience session can tire your dog out just as well as a walk.

Puppies Need Less Than You Think

It’s tempting to take your new puppy out straight away for long, exciting walks — but please resist! Puppies are babies, and like human babies, they need plenty of rest and sleep to grow and develop.

The general rule: five minutes of walking per month of age, up to 6 months. So, for a 3-month-old puppy, that’s just a 15-minute walk!

If you need to walk older dogs too, a homemade papoose or puppy backpack can help you include pup in the fun without overdoing it. And here’s something we learned the hard way — don’t walk your new puppy with your other dogs right away. They need time to bond with you and learn your walking expectations.

Solo walks and training help your pup see you as their guide — and it sets a strong foundation for life.

Fun Activities to Try

• Fetch (use a soft ball for pups!)

• Short walks in new environments

• Scent work in the garden

• Obedience or trick training sessions

• Dog-friendly social events or puppy meetups

• Visits to calm dog parks (once vaccinations are complete)

  
  

Spaniels love variety and connection — you’ll be amazed how much they enjoy learning with you!

Signs of Exercise Fatigue

Knowing when your dog has had enough is just as important as knowing when they need more. Watch for:

• Slowing down or lying down mid-walk

• Heavy panting or excessive thirst

• Lack of interest in play

• Sleeping longer than usual afterward

  
  

Every dog is different, so tailor your activity to suit your dog’s age, personality, and health.

In our home, routine helps everything run smoothly. Lady and Nelly walk to the left, Missy walks slightly behind — any change confuses them. Dogs love knowing their place in the pack and thrive on predictable patterns. It helps them feel secure — and makes walks a pleasure for all.

Our Non-Negotiable Commands

At Claw & Kin, we believe in giving every puppy the very best start — and that includes early training in essential commands. When your puppy leaves us, they’ll already be familiar with a range of cues that help build confidence, communication, and good behaviour.

These are our non-negotiables — the commands we use consistently from the moment their little ears can hear:

• Yes – for positive reinforcement

• No – clear and calm correction

• Leave it – to prevent unwanted chewing or picking things up

• Off there – for furniture, people, or places they shouldn’t be

• Find it – a fun and engaging scent work game

• Close – for walking nicely by your side

• Wee wee – the toilet-time command

• Din din – meal time cue

• Bed bed – time to rest or settle down

• A-a! – a gentle verbal interruption for unwanted behaviour

• Down – lie down command

• Stand – perfect for grooming or checks

• In – used to encourage entry into a crate, room, or car

• Come now – recall with urgency

• What’s this? – used to draw attention to something new

• Where’s your ball? – starts a fun game of fetch or hide-and-seek!

  
  

And of course, they’ll know their name inside out. By using these commands consistently in your own home, you'll find your puppy settles faster and continues to grow into a confident, well-mannered companion.

Medical Treatments

At Claw & Kin, your puppy’s health and wellbeing is our absolute priority — right from day one. Here’s what you need to know about how we approach flea and worming treatments, vaccinations, and vet checks before your puppy joins your home.

Flea and Worming Treatments

Spaniel coats are magnets for all kinds of outdoor passengers — so regular flea and tick treatment is essential. We use Bravecto, a high-quality treatment known for its lasting protection against fleas and ticks.

Your puppy will arrive fully wormed, and your vet will be able to advise you on when the next dose is due. Maintaining this schedule is vital for your puppy's long-term health and comfort.

Vaccination Schedule

You might be surprised to hear that we only vaccinate puppies on request — and here’s why. Some vets do not support the same vaccine brands we use, and in these cases, puppies may be required to restart their vaccination course. We’re also mindful not to over-medicate unnecessarily. Instead, we speak with each family to discuss their vet’s protocols and make the best decision together.

It’s all about informed choices, mutual trust, and doing what’s right for your puppy.

Vet Checks & Developmental Notes

Every Claw & Kin puppy is thoroughly vet checked before leaving us. One thing we like to highlight: testicles. Yes — really! Puppies are checked by the vet at 7 weeks, and we do request that they assess testicle presence. However, in some males, one or both testicles may not descend until 6 months or older, so please don’t worry if this is noted in your paperwork. We’ll guide you through every detail.

Caring for a Cocker Spaniel isn’t just about looking after a dog — it’s about nurturing a companion, a family member, and a loyal friend. With the right care, grooming, nutrition, and attention, your Spaniel will thrive and bring joy for years to come.

We’re always here if you have questions — whether it's about coat care, training, or choosing the right treats. At Claw & Kin, our support doesn’t stop when your puppy leaves — you become part of our family, too.