The Zim Family Cocker Spaniel Forum

I shaved Rudy down completely naked............................. He was matted in his armpits and where my step-mom decided to groom him on her own, he was COMPLETELY uneven and I couldn't get it to grow out correctly. So I decided to shave him naked today. Plus, its going to be 80 degrees this weekend and next week.....and Summer is coming up, VERY soon for us. Spring is even hot here. My poor baby However, I don't think he looks horrible. He has his long ears still. I'm not done with him yet so I won't post pictures, until probably tomorrow. Sorry! I haven't finished his back, and I got tired after grooming through his THICK coat for about 2 hours today.

Also have more news - I got new Clippers! Andis Clippers! I also bought Thinning Shears, #7FC, #4FC blades, 1/4", 1/2", 3/4", 1" combs.
Money well spent! Working well, and I'm happy with them.

In non grooming news - I bought him a new collar, to help with pulling. Some might not agree with my choice of collar - but we've tried long hours of walking and correcting and its just not working, and after a huge debate in our house I decided to purchase a Prong Training Collar. As bad as that sounds, its not a collar he just wears around the house, Its only for walking and walking strictly. I also made sure the Prong's were not pointed, but rounded. It corrected him INSTANTLY. We tried it on at PetsMart and within a couple seconds he stopped pulling and I was totally SHOCKED! I'm happy with it.

That is a huge job! Pictures?

Can't wait to see Pics : )

80 degrees! I'm jealous! our "heatwave" is around 40 for this weekend.

The prong collar is a tool like any other. We've found it to be VERY helpful during walks as well

I don't have the best picture of it - because all I have is my phone. His feet need some work, & I'm going to fix them tomorrow after I get home from Church. He's been very cooperative. He was just getting frustrated with me and wouldn't let me touch his feet after me messing with them for a while. But, he's a trooper! Had a hard week! His back is getting shaved tomorrow too, it was just SO thick!

Sometimes you just have to start over. He'll grow out in no time. I gave Abby "paddle feet" once.

Em, he is darling !!!!
The feet tickle....do you have safety shears to do them? they have rounded ends so you don't poke. they also make a blade the is 5/8" wide so it can get between toes...just FYI...
give him a big kiss for me

Marsha

we bought a haltie that goes around Aussies nose and he still pulls a bit I think he looks cute

ok after 3 hours of shaving down over a span of 2 days (1.5 hours each day) I finally finished him! He was very patient and put up with me scissoring and using the clippers and clipping his toenails and having to deal with everything else. The only problem was he CONSTANTLY wants to sit down, but only when the clippers are on him. If i stop he'll stand up and it'll be fine, but right back to sitting down on the grooming table when I put them back on him. Then I remembered Jim's technique on his Grooming DVD, he used a 2nd Noose! So, we tried it and it works! He tried to sit down multiple times with no prevail! He was giving me the stinker face because I was torturing him.

I'm glad i finished him when i did because its POURING rain here now! BAD storms!! we took a quick run to the Vet who also does grooming; and we asked how much it would be to groom a cocker spaniel. She said $47, that is without extra brushing or matting. I told her Rudy was matted in his armpits, and she said that it probably would have been more then. Well, I might have spent 150+ dollars this weekend on grooming supplies at PetsMart, but I know I will be happy in the long run!!!

Em: He looks darling - you did a good job. He almost has that puppy look about his face again.