Tips In Fixing Fur Matts

[jude09]

Hello guys what techniques do you use when fixing up matts?

I use the divide and conquer method. Slowly divide the matts and attack them slowly bu surely.

what about you guys?

[ShardaBaker]

Here's something that may be of help...

Some tips to deal with matted fur

- First of all, you need to plan the de-matting process out well depending on the size of your dog. A small dog will be fine to sit on your lap or on a cushion next to you on a sofa or on the floor if that is where you are sitting.

Alternatively, you can get a large dog to lie at your feet, or again sit on the floor next to him. Above all else, you should be comfortable and settled because your dog will mimic your behavior. It may be that you want someone else there as well just to be on the safe side and for reassurance.

- As soon as your dog is settled, begin to fuss him or her and reassure verbally as well as with a little petting. Slowly start brushing your dog in areas that are not matted to get him or her used to the feel of the brush and the fur.


- After a while, zero in on the matting and divide it into small sections as far as possible. Begin to untangle the matting with your fingers at first and then use a comb to remove any loose knots that remain on the hair.

Be as gentle as possible and move on if your dog flinches at all, going back to the knots when you have untangled another area.

- Use the comb to rake through an area of hair that has been completely cleared of mats because the area will be a little wiry and a little shorter as well with the knots missing.

Be sure to grasp the roots if you can to limit the amount of pulling that occurs. Slowly release them as the hair starts to give a little.

We all know how it feels for our hair to be tangled, so, always remember to be careful and to be very gentle in this process.

[MaryAnn]

A "Slicker Brush" first works great. Then I use the comb. Be sure to brush your dog daily to avoid a build-up of mats.

[Sue Mc.]

My little Yorkie seems to be super sensitive to any 'pulling' on small mats or knots in his hair. Since Yorkies don't have a 'shed' period, they just lose a few strands of hair like we humans do. Since Taffy is a "pet" and not a 'show dog', I have opted for the easiest method for us both. I brush him everyday with a 'soft brush' which he seems to like--he sometimes will even stretch-out on the sofa or bed while he's getting brushed. If I find a small 'knot' in his hair, I just 'slit it in 1/2 lenghtwise' or cut it right off at the hair just behind the knot. *I had some of my daughter's "baby scissors" in a drawer; they have rounded tips, so I[m not worried about accidently 'cutting' my dog's skin. He gets some tiny treats for going through any knot-cutting and he seems to be 'okay' with the scissors now. (Have to let him 'sniff' them each time.) His hair is getting longer as he gets older. Since an adult Yorkies' hair can trail on the floor, I will probably keep it in a 'short fall trim'--about 1/2 to 2/3 of the way down.

[Belleza]

I agree with all that has been said .. and well said. Now if I can add something new .

I have raised Yorkies and long haired Chihuahua's most of my life. We all know that Yorkies can matt.
I now how a Cavalier and a mix Pek. Matting is always happening.
#1. Brush your dog daily if you can, it will keep down matting to a minimum.
#2. Buy a new "toy" called furmanator. Its called all kinds of things but trust me you won't regret getting this new tool.Around $39
Although I have seen it as high as $79.. and a small one as low as $29.
Everyone should have one..
My groomer put me onto it, and it works wonders. It is easy to use, if U have a big mat, then you know you have to cut it down to size.
But.. a normal mat can be eased thru.. w/ the new devise and you don't have to cut at all!
3. try to have someone help you.. while brushing, detaingling.. and please do use this new tool. It also takes all the underbrush/hair out so it doesn't mat! Yippee!

My Mix pek.. has so much fur.. she is my little furball.. I use the furminator on her daily.. or else I'd have hair all over my house too..
Before I bathe them.. and when they are done being dried, I run it over them.. then brush ..too.

What I like the most is I am not tugging at them to the point they hate to be brushed.. our brush time is there "special " time w/ me.. and they love it.

Skeeter the Cavalier has those long fur ears.. that Spaniels have.. so he matts easily. The Furmainator works wonders w/ that!
It reminds me of a 3 " wide rake.. very close teeth can barely see between them.. and it just takes the extra fur away.. it goes right thru matts.. and gets the fur that may matt or fall out before there is a problem.

[Sarah]

Try a leave in conditioner for children. Spray the matted area and gently comb out. When you bathe your dog if you do it yourself, once you towel dry the dog then spray the leave in conditioner. It's perfectly safe for dogs to the best of my knowledge. You can always check the pet store to see if they have a leave in conditioner specifically for dogs too.

Hope that helps

[queen091952]

Sarah Hi this is Wanda or queen091952, We went for a long walk at the beach. Gave Tiki a bath because I know that there are beach fleas. After his bath while drying him off I notice that he had matts real bad inside both ears. I can use the leave in conditioner. But I am afraid I wont be able to get it all. It is very thick and deep in his hears it has to come out but there's no dividing it please what can I do to get these matts out of his ears?

[Sarah]

Hi Wanda, you will probably have to take tiki to a professional groomer and let them remove the mats from within their ears. I've never had to do that before. It would probably take only one time.

How did tiki do with his long walk? any better in the house?

[queen091952]

This dog is tripping. Came back to the house from the long beach walk. I gave him a bath and he stayed in my arms for awhile then went under the bed.About a hour under the bed I called him took him out and he wanted back in the house. Picked him up as I was brushing his hair back he took his front legs brushing his hair back over his eyes plus he took his paws and covered his eyes looking at me as if to say you see me now and did it again. My friend laughed so hard tears where running down his face.Plus he ask me what kind of dog is he? We got him from a shelter the picture that I took of him is not what he look like now. He's cleaner and happier and is under the bed right now from being outside this morning.He's like a 2 year old child on Christmas morning when he sees me. Because they get up about six in the morning and I get up later cause of meds.

[Sarah]

Hi Wanda... Sounds like tiki is a riot to be around. The little entertainer. Adopting a dog from the shelter/pound, is wonderful but we really do not know what their past life was all about either. I would cut his hair so you can see his eyes. This way he cannot "hide". I say cut, because if you put something in his hair to keep the hair out of his eyes he would probably take it out. It's up to you. I would also block him somehow from not going under the bed. This way he has to rely on you more for protection. Continue the long walks with him, doesn't have to be on the beach. Is there a park near you where other dogs go to? If so, that would be a great place, for Tiki to begin using his nose again and smell around. You can take him when there is no dogs there. Walk him long enough to use the bathroom. Then give him a treat, or praise him a lot. I mean make a really big deal out of it to show him how proud you are of him for making you happy. Do this until he knows that going outside is fun. Most of all be patient with him, but he needs the disciplinarian within you to correct his bad behavior, and the mom within you to love him and praise him for all the good things he does.