As soon as you bring your new Cavalier puppy home, begin his grooming routine. The grooming needs of a puppy are very small compared with those of an adult, but this important time spent together can benefit both of you. Regular grooming gives you an opportunity to check your dog’s skin, ears, and eyes. It is also your chance to give him a once over and a basic health check. If possible, have a grooming session at least one or two times per month, or more often if you desire.
Puppies begin to lose their puppy coats at five months or so. Their coats may be somewhat fluffy or flat, but the pigment on the chestnut-colored hair is significantly lighter than it will be on an adult Cavalier. In contrast, tricolor puppies are born with the darkest of blacks in their coats, and that won’t change as the puppy loses his coat. As the adult Cavalier coat comes in on ruby types, you will notice a difference in the color as well.
Whether the puppy coat was fluffy or flat, the adult coats all come in flat. Puppy coats aren’t very long, and they rarely mat or tangle. All that is needed to maintain them is a regular brushing or combing, and shampooing and conditioning followed by a drying and combing as needed. Occasional baths do not harm your puppy as long as you are using quality products specifically made for dogs. The nails should be trimmed every two to three weeks.
Bath Training
If you begin bath training while your Cavalier is a puppy, he will grow comfortable with it by the time he reaches adulthood. You can get him used to the idea by placing him in a dry tub or sink. Next, give him a treat, praise him, and pet him gently. If he struggles to get out, hold him there but talk to him quietly to reassure him. When he calms down, take him out of the tub.
At this point, don’t reward him or make a fuss over him. You want him to learn that he gets rewards for being in the tub, not for getting out.you. Repeat this process once a day for awhile, slowly increasing the time he remains in the tub. When he’s comfortable in a dry tub, add a little lukewarm water so he gets his feet wet and continue to reward him while he stays in the tub. When he accepts this, wet his body with lukewarm water from a sprayer or by pouring water onto him with an unbreakable container, again rewarding him for accepting it. Eventually, you’ll have a dog who accepts bath time without fear and who may even enjoy being bathed.
Preparing for Bath Time
To prepare to bathe your Cavalier puppy, place him on a grooming table or a nonslip surface that is at a comfortable height for both you and your dog. If you don’t wish to invest in a grooming table, any counter top will do as long as it does not have a slippery surface. While your puppy is on the table or counter top, gently comb out all the mats that you may find. Puppies do not usually mat badly, but if mats are present they can usually be found behind the ears and on the rear legs. After the combing is completed, check the nails, and if they need trimming, trim them gently.
Bathing a Puppy
Now your puppy is ready for his bath. A Cavalier is small enough to fit neatly within a kitchen sink or bathtub. Apartment dwellers can easily use a shower that has a hand-held shower head, but make sure you place a rubber in the the tub to prevent your dog from slipping and becoming injured.
An inexpensive and handy way to bathe your Cavalier in a shower stall is to create a makeshift grooming table using one or two extra large plastic storage containers that come with a tightly fitted lid. Determine how many you will need by the height that works best. Also, buy one or two smaller boxes to store your grooming and bathing tools. After the shower, the boxes can be stored in a closet or garage.
Before bringing your dog to his bath, have all of your supplies set up and ready to go. Put the stacked plastic box into the shower stall with a towel over the top to provide a nonslip surface and have your grooming products nearby.
To begin, place your puppy in the sink, tub, or shower. Wet him with lukewarm water, apply shampoo, and gently work it into the coat with your fingers, beginning at the neck and working down to the tail. Be careful not to allow soap to enter his little ears or eyes. Once the puppy is bathed, rinse him thoroughly, and then blow him dry or towel him dry right away. Puppies chill easily, and you need to be prepared to warm him quickly.