Basic, easy grooming (for a beginner) to prevent knots??

[natasha-maria]

Hello everyone!! 

I adopted an elderly cocker about 3 months ago and this is my first ever long-haired dog.
I started off grooming her daily with a regular brush (it has two sides - one with soft black bristles and the other with hard metal bristles). She was never keen on me grooming her legs (understandably). However, after not too long, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and needed 2 major operations, so I stopped grooming as much to avoid any extra stress during her recovery. Fast forward to now - she has a LOT of matts and clumps that I will have to clip out and I am not managing this wild fur!!

I bought a conditioning spray that can be used wet or dry but unfortunately it doesn't seem to do much at all.

I've read through some of the pinned posts here but they seem a bit more geared to grooming for a professional kind of look. I don't mind how she looks, I just want her to be comfortable.

Does anyone have any advice for easy, inexpensive and most of all, pain-free / stress-free grooming tips? I wonder if I'm even using the correct type of hairbrush, for example. I just want to be able to maintain a healthy coat once the matts are clipped out and avoid it happening again.

Thanks!!

[Patp]

Sorry to hear that your girl has gone through the mill a bit!!

I must admit to not brushing Jinley every day (more like once a week)  I have 2 pieces of valuable equipment for when she gets a knot, one is a pair of thinning scissors to cut into the knots and a matt splitter.  That way I dont get as much of a gap as I would if I cut out the knot.

Other people will be along with some other ideas

[chrisp]

Mollie is absolutely dreadful for mats.  It's a real constant battle.  This was recommended to me and it helps.  I also rub in conditioner into the mat to help tease it apart.  If too bad, I split it and can then either get it apart or cut it out.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/mikki-Anti-Tangle-Moulting-Comb-for-cats-and-dogs-/321176238598?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Dogs&hash=item4ac7987a06

It has rotating teeth so it doesn't pull too much.  

[natasha-maria]

Thanks for your replies and tips - I'll look into ordering that anti-tangle brush!!

I was wondering about ordering this type of bush - is it correct for a cocker?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-Colors-Shedding-Grooming-Hair-Brush-Comb-For-Dog-Cat-/140624137096?pt=UK_Health_Beauty_Hair_Care_Brushes_Combs_PP&hash=item20bdda0b88

I've been battling at the knots these past days and managed to salvage some of her chest hair. Had to clip out some knots behind her elbows though (but she still looks gorgeous of course)  . Good to know I'm not the only one fighting the same battles!!

[Lottielove]

I've just adopted an elderly cocker too and I could have written your post word for word! I have had to resort to cutting out a few matted bits but overall she isn't too bad now.

[natasha-maria]

I've just adopted an elderly cocker too and I could have written your post word for word! I have had to resort to cutting out a few matted bits but overall she isn't too bad now.

  Teehee... oh that is funny to hear. Looks like I'm not the only one then!! Best of luck with your sweet oldie

[LisaNewland]

Amber has been with us for three weeks, she has very short curly hair (see pics), nothing at all like most Cockers I've seen. Not sure why this is but we love her just as she is. However, she does have a couple of matted spots on her chest and legs which are very close to the skin. Should I cut these off myself or take her to a groomer? Also, what is a groomer likely to do to her coat, seeing as it is short and curly? Any ideas?

I've enclosed a pic to demonstrate.

[JamiesGirl]

Ambers coat is curly and thick because she is spayed a groomer will likely reccomend that you get her clipped around every four to six weeks.  You can keep her as she is but it will take a lot of combing to prevent matts.

[JennyBee]

LisaNewland: Brodie has the same coat, due to being spayed and also clipped (we had no choice but to clip as her hair became out of control after being spayed!). I try to brush the problem areas as much as possible, but some areas mat (ie her arm pits) no matter how often I brush them, so the groomer clips them out. I admit that she is so hairy that I have cut out small mats in the past, as it is impossible to notice I've done it!

She goes to the groomers every six weeks and they clip her short (otherwise she'd need doing every four weeks ) but leave some feathering. Here's a pic of her after a visit to the groomers:

[williamsmum]

She looks very nice and I think the groomer has done a good job. 

[LisaNewland]

LisaNewland: Brodie has the same coat, due to being spayed and also clipped (we had no choice but to clip as her hair became out of control after being spayed!). I try to brush the problem areas as much as possible, but some areas mat (ie her arm pits) no matter how often I brush them, so the groomer clips them out. I admit that she is so hairy that I have cut out small mats in the past, as it is impossible to notice I've done it!

She goes to the groomers every six weeks and they clip her short (otherwise she'd need doing every four weeks ) but leave some feathering. Here's a pic of her after a visit to the groomers:

Oh Brodie looks lovely! Do you go to a specific Cocker spaniel groomer or will any qualified dog groomer do the job?

[julie1]

Kez has a curly coat like LisaNewland's Amber (because she is spayed).   Honestly if they are bad I just cut them out......if it's possible (& so far it as always worked)  I put a fine steel comb between the Knot & the skin & just chop it off, with being so curly no one can tell;  I also keep her fur very short under arms, between back legs & private parts, & under her tail around the anus.  I also find spraying in conditioner & using the fine/short pin cushion type brush, if I can explain the principle  I start from under the cotter/knot, hold it upwards & brush-out just a very small bit at a time (sort of from underneath) don't just tug at it, this will hurt her.

[JennyBee]

LisaNewland: Brodie has the same coat, due to being spayed and also clipped (we had no choice but to clip as her hair became out of control after being spayed!). I try to brush the problem areas as much as possible, but some areas mat (ie her arm pits) no matter how often I brush them, so the groomer clips them out. I admit that she is so hairy that I have cut out small mats in the past, as it is impossible to notice I've done it!

She goes to the groomers every six weeks and they clip her short (otherwise she'd need doing every four weeks ) but leave some feathering. Here's a pic of her after a visit to the groomers:

Oh Brodie looks lovely! Do you go to a specific Cocker spaniel groomer or will any qualified dog groomer do the job?

My groomers do all small to medium breeds, and are fully qualified - I would have a look for reviews online in your area to get an idea of who to go to, as there are a lot of groomers out there and some of them aren't as good as others... I was lucky that I liked the sound of the first groomer I phoned, and have been going there ever since!

I also use a soft pin cushion brush on Brodie, same as Julie1, as Brodie has really sensitive skin and hates other types of brushes