Trimming a springer spaniel's feet should be part of regular grooming.
Even if you brush your springer spaniel regularly, it's easy to overlook the feet. Your dog's feet need attention as much as its coat. Once you teach the dog how to let you work on its feet, it's a simple process to keep them neat and healthy. Overgrown feet and nails can lead to problems with walking, joints and traction. Your dog's feet should be groomed every few weeks. Teaching the dog to allow this should be accompanied by praise and treats.
Instructions
1. Lay your dog on its back. This is fairly easy with small dogs. Pick the dog up and while sitting on the floor, gently turn it over and place it between your legs. Put a dog bed, cushion or towel on the floor to cushion the dog. If the dog is larger, it may be easier to have the dog roll over on its back against a couch or wall and brace it on one side.
2. Clean out the hair between the dog's paw pads. Use small, round-tipped scissors or 5-inch straight blunt shears. Hold the dog's paw in one hand and gently spread the pads so you can trim the fur. Keeping this fur short will give your dog better traction on slippery floors and ground.
3. Trim the hair at the back of the springer's leg above the top pad. It should be short enough so it doesn't touch the ground. Comb the hair out around the feet, taking care not to pull if there are mats.
4. Trim the dog's nails with a dremmel or clippers for dog nails. A dremmel is easier to use if the dog is accustomed to it; you're less likely to cut into the quick. Use clippers with care, taking only a bit off the nail when you cut. If the nails are white, you can see the quick, if they're black, you can't. If you hit the quick the nail will bleed; keep styptic handy just in case.
5. Keep your dog's feet and nails trimmed for healthy walks.
Stand the dog up. Place a small dog on a grooming table or raised surface where you can easily see the feet. Trim around the edge of the feet with scissors, following the line of the foot. The foot shape should be oval or slightly round. Don't trim above the nails, trim around them. Feathers of fur between the toes are OK, although they're only needed in the show ring.
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