To brush an Irish water spaniel, shampoo your dog once a month to keep its fur soft, which will make it easier to brush. As you prepare to brush your dog, calm it down by petting it, talking to it in reassuring tones, and offering it small treats. When your dog is ready, use a coarse scrub brush to gently remove any dirt and loosen the coat for the next stage of brushing. Then, use a wide-tooth steel comb to check for matting and tangles, which can be worked through with a de-matting comb or ...