Do you groom them yourselves?

[Rae]

Hiya, still just lurking on the forum as I don't have a cocker yet , but I love reading the forum and hope it's okay if I ask this.

I was always under the impression that you'd have to take them to get groomed (clipped etc) by a groomer. I just wondered how many people actually do it themselves and is it that easy to do? I'm just about to have a look at some of the stickys but wanted to ask too.

Thanks in advance

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

You can do either.

It's cheaper do it yourself, however, the initial cost of the grooming equipment is high.

I'd originally taken Charlie to a groomers, but I couldn't find one that did exactly what I wanted them to do (proper show cut)...so I've been helped by someone on here and she's shown me how to do him myself, I still take him to her to do as she does it quicker and better than I do, but I'm learning so I'm happy.

[Emilyoliver]

I groom my two (they have full coats - not clipped).  I like to do them myself as it's great for bonding (my boy loves it), and I can keep them tidy all the time rather than have to wait 6 weeks or whatever between groomer visits.  I trim/ tidy them every second week.  It's not difficult and I had help from their breeder initially.  So if you get a puppy from a show breeder, they should be happy to help with advice.

[Rae]

Thank you for your replies

It would definitely be a show breeder I'd be going to. I would like to learn to do it myself at home if that was possible then 

[wendall]

the groomers I go to is very happy to teach me if I wanted to

[Cassie01]

I was/am a very nervous home groomer - and I have chosen this only because I haven't managed so far to find someone I trust to show groom (although I do now have a contact and will book an appointment after my pups first season ends).

I think a lot of what is required is entirely doable - but it's gaining the know how/confidence to do it that's the stumbling block. I recently attended a grooming seminar with many experience pro's giving hands on advise - they made it look soooo easy. Nevertheless fear of messing up still looms large for me and I wouldn't go anywhere near a set of clippers (heaven help my poor pup)! But, after a few months of reading and practicing I can now comfortably detangle, remove old coat (handstrip) with the comb-elastic band method and I can also trim around the feet.

I did stumble across this on youtube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgIYrBSNWKo and although it's in Spanish (and fairly lengthy), it does give you a clear indication of how to show groom.

Good luck when you do finally get your cocker  

[Emilyoliver]

Best advice I got from breeder was 'don't panic if you make a mistake - it grows back!' So try not to worry too much about mistakes, have a picture in your head (or even printed out) of what you want to achieve. It gets easier with practice and time   

[katie94]

We brush and comb Rufus every day at home but he goes to the groomers approx every 3 weeks at the moment to have his puppy coat stripped out and any trimming of feet, claws etc, firstly because we're scared of making mistakes and secondly as part of his socialisation as he's such a nervous boy.

[debbiedaywalker]

I did some grooming courses (pre Internet) to learn how to groom my first Cocker, the equipment is pricey to start with but saves a small fortune over the years, especially as I now have two. I love being able to do them myself, and can have them look exactly as I want them.

[Rae]

Thank you so much for your replies  I would definitely prefer to do it myself, I've read a few bad stories about groomers and know it must be hard to find the right one, that worries me a lot! I would definitely need to do a lot of research though as I think I'd be really worried about getting it wrong to start with. Thanks again.

[minimoo]

my OH does our three i used to do it but it wasnt neat enough so he does it now and im very happy with that   , we clip ours but leave the feathering ears etc ive had a few people ask where we get them done , it helps if you keep on top of it and keep the knots or tangles down to a minimum , there was a very helpful picture on here on the grooming section which my OH printed of when he started  under clipping guide  

[karenl]

I groom Amber myself she has never been to a groomer, she quite likes it now although when she was a puppy it was like trimming a biting crocodile  but I persevered & it did help bond with her, I brush her first with a slicker brush then use thinning shears on her feathering, I like to leave as much feathering on I can but with all the bad muddy weather we've had recently I've kept it quite short. I trim her paws with hairdressing scissors & blend in the fur on her legs with the thinners, thinning shears on her top knot too. She knows she gets a treat when I ask her to turn over & she obliges ! She has a smooth back so I only have to brush that.

[Miadanu]

Home groom here as well - handstrip rather than clipping though as I prefer that look.
Attended a level 1 grooming course at Plumpton College to learn more theory and gain some practical experience of other dogs as well as my own.  Initial outlay on your own equipment is a bit but well worth it in the long run.  Still learning as I haven't quite achieved that show cocker ear look - one day

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

 just watched that grooming video,  it was really good,  thank you.

[joanesmith]

I just watched the Youtube video too.  Very interesting...but wondered about the use of clippers under the throat/neck?  Would that be acceptable in a show dog or would trimming with thinning scissors be better? 
I groom and trim (finger strip) my own dog, but am very novice and want to get it right...or as good as I possibly can!  I don't think I will have the chance to show my lovely little Bo...but even if I don't...I want him to look right! 
I really enjoy grooming him myself, and I think he enjoys the attention!