Cocker Spaniel — Junior Care
Care recommendations — Junior stage
As a Cocker Spaniel moves into the junior stage, keep exercise age-appropriate while growth is still underway. Most individuals can transition toward a quality adult-maintenance diet around now, and this is also a common point to ask a vet about spay or neuter timing if it hasn't happened already. Provide a steady mix of daily walks, play sessions, and mental enrichment suited to its moderate energy level, since dogs at this age typically have energy and enthusiasm to spare, and keep up the training and grooming habits introduced as a puppy so they stay a normal, low-stress part of handling.
⚠️ Watch for
It's still uncommon at this age to see clear signs of the conditions Cocker Spaniels are predisposed to, but it doesn't hurt to ask a vet whether early baseline screening makes sense. Keep an eye out for head shaking, scratching at the ears, odor, or visible discharge, or a bunny-hop gait, reluctance to jump or climb stairs, or stiffness after resting, and mention anything unusual at routine visits.
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