GROOMING!!! This is a very important subject of concern with cocker spaniel owners. I would like to summarize this for you all. There are no bad dogs, just bad groomers. I know this sounds a bit harsh but it True!
  Upon leaving CC’s your puppy will have been groomed Many times. From about 2wks until they depart anywhere from 7-8 weeks. I have clipped faces and toe nails on a regular basis. The final grooming I do put them into a little cocker cut for my families depending on the season and age of the puppy. I do my best so that your puppy will not be scared to death upon grooming sessions. Do they like it, some less than others. Do I accomplish my goal ? “ALWAYS’. What do I tell my families all the time? “Finish what you start.” You set the bar the first time you puppy is groomed by yourself or the groomer. The first red flag is this........ If you bring your puppy home from the first grooming session and his face is not as it was when you picked him up..... He has won the first battle at the groomers and it will go down hill from here on. It is not the puppy’s fault it is as I said, the Groomers. They did not stand firm and accomplish what they started. It just goes back to everything else I push so hard to enforce “Proper Training”.
  So please everyone, find a good groomer who has the love of your beloved pet but is also recognized as the boss or “Leader” of the parlor. This is so very important. I have several dogs here and have had them come and go. Not one time have I ever banned one of my crew from the grooming parlor because of improper behavior. I simply do not allow it. Nor do I allow my children to swear and be belligerent. You must take control.
I cannot say that enough. Take heed, or do as you please, but I have taken the time to give you the best advice I can. It is your responsibility to act upon the advice and properly train and educate your new pet and Family Members as well.
  Brushes and crates for your new puppy…. Not much needed for some time with a new puppy. A simple pin brush and slicker will be fine. Shampoo for puppies needs to be gentle and safe. Lots to choose from. When a puppy is bathed it is very important that it be dried with a blow dryer. When started at an early age it will aid when older and it has lot’s of Cocker Coat. Brushing and drying is very important. Toe nails, need to be clipped and you can do it yourself. If your afraid to clip them too short… just take the little hook off that tends to scratch you.
  Potty Training! Good luck with that!!! You have to stick to it. You cannot lapse on this. A puppy that is 7-8 weeks old needs to be taken out about every 45 minutes. It will potty outside or if not taken out in your house. Praise Praise Praise! I have always treat trained my dogs and they respond very well to this. The older a puppy gets the bigger the bladder and better control. Your new puppy will potty all the times it seems. Trust me, it does not have a bladder infection so don’t take it to the vet!
  Puppies respond very well to routine, but then so do our children. The difference between the two is that one is a Pack Animal! Yes dogs are pack animals and need to be treated as such. Your puppy needs to understand from very early on that he is the follower and you are the leader. If at any time in the puppies/dogs life he believes he is the leader you do have a serious problem. Maintaining leadership needs to be worked at. From day one, please keep your puppy on its back and make direct eye contact with it. This is the submissive role for the puppy. He understands that you have him just where you want him. Do this as often as you can. When the pup tends to get a bit rowdy and out of control, yes they all do at some point gently remind him to calm down in this manner.
If you have a young child that tends to be submissive, the puppy will pick up on this and you may have a problem if your not aware of the “Pack Rule”.
  My latest concern… Anytime an animal is put under anesthesia to have any type of surgery, necessary or elective you run the risk of the animal to have complications due to the anesthesia which my result in the death of your pet. So I urge you to please think long and hard before any type of elective surgery is done on your pet for its safety.