As you will have gathered I'm relatively new to cocker spaniel ownership
I also have a working springer but grooming wise he's a doddle
My rescue cocker (nearly 2 yrs old) came to me absolutely matted up on his ears and in his armpits. His feathers had been chopped off. I was told by the lady at the rescue that "he needs to be sedated at the groomers" Well, I booked him in to be castrated and asked for him to be trimmed whilst under the anaesthetic which he was.
I'm taking things very slowly as I think he's been bashed with a hairbrush.
If he sees me get the grooming tools out (I also have persian cats
) he shoots away and won't come near me. I asked at the vet's for advice and they sold me a slicker brush which has a rubber flexible back so it fits nicely in your palm and he doesn't see it (hopefully!) Once he realises what I'm doing I have to virtually pin him down (not cruelly though, I hasten to add) I'm trying to keep on top of his coat but would you recommend that I booked him in to a groomers or just persevere myself? I only got him at the end of July so he's still learning to trust me and I don't want to undo the very small progress we are making.
Thanks for reading this