The Zim Family Cocker Spaniel Forum

When I decided to get KC I decided to learn how to clip him myself. I watched a dozen U tube how to videos, and got my own grooming supplies and table. Now I want you all to note that I have only trimmed him 6 times and this is my first time clipping him very short. I did not intend for it to be this short! But my hand slipped a couple of times and then I had to fix it by trimming it shorter... and shorter again... I am not happy with myself, Should I keep trying or spare both of us and take him to the groomer from now on? You decide

You will never get better if you don't keep trying. Your puppers is adorable!!!!
Keep trying

Your KC is adorable. I love the way he is hanging his head in the second pic. I would just tell everyone that it is his summer cut, so he can be nice and cool with all this heat. Keep trying and you'll get better

I did the exact same thing to my Buddy earlier this year. It's just hair and it'll grow back, just remember even the expert was once a beginner.

He's still pretty cute no matter what!

Keep doing it yourself and watch julie's videos. You'll be surprised how helpful they are, especially legs and feet I would totally destroy a leg before she posted the video

KC is a doll

It grows back pretty quick.I myself have to learn when to stop. The more I try and "fix" something the more I goof it up. When its "good enough" you need to stop until you get more experience. GOOD LUCK!

Like everyone else said, it is only hair and it will grow back.

I too have bought all the grooming supplies and tried to cut my cockers,
I still can't get the legs to look half way decent, but the dogs don't mind.

He doesn't look bad, still vey cute, don't give up, just keep practicing and you will get better.

Rose, I wouldn't worry yourself for a split second...he looks just fine! :-)

My little Oliver spent some time in the countryside with my parents a while back, and while with them they took him to a professional groomer...needless to say, the result was perhaps even shorter than the photo you shared. I was horrified...puppy cut in my mind was not shaved down! Oy! My family, on the other hand, thought it was just adorable and he felt like a "little lamb." There is also the added bonus that Mr. Oliver is sooooo much more cuddly when he is in a short cut, presumably because he isn't hot all the time!

Is that before and after photos? One time we had our girl trimmed and they made her paws look like French poodles and she would run and hide from visitors, after that we bought our clippers and did our own cuts. Started with that #10 blade for face and back. If you are going to be doing your dog don't forget between the pads.

The dog mostly doesn't care what it looks like or a mistake been made. It will grow back.

Wow, it's good to know I'm not alone when it comes to learning how to clip a cocker the right way. It is an art. Thanks for the support, I'll keep trying.

I love the before and after picks Adam. Oliver is very adorable!

I took a look at Julie's videos, they are very good, I think I will have her video on next time I trim him. Thanks for posting them Julie.

I've seen worse! Bearing in mind you didn't mean to clip him that short, I think he would look better a little longer, but then I keep George in full coat so I'm biaised! Assuming you're using clippers and not trying to scissor him evenly, which is much harder, all you need to do is clip in the direction of hair growth, brush up the other way, then clip in the direction of hair growth again. Do that a couple of times on each area and it will look much more even.

Awww, he's cute! And he doesn't look that bad. Trust me, I decided a long time ago to learn how to cut my boys' hair on my own. The first time I tried to cut Walker really short, I ended up shaving him bald. Literally.....almost bald. He had to wear a sweater around the house when it got chilly at night.

Then I asked the groomer that my parents used for their dogs while I was growing up if I could bring both my boys in and watch her cut them. She would do one leg and make me do the other side. Do one ear, then make me do the other ear. She'd watch me and after I would finish with my side she'd show me how to fix it.

After that, I never truly "butchered" my boys again. Are they a little choppy every now and then? Sure, but nothing like my bald Walker a few years ago.

Don't give up! You'll get the hang of it. And I don't know about anyone else, but after I cut my boys hair I always feel so accomplished and proud!