[JRo]

I'm a first-time mommy and I know this is probably a ridiculously stupid question but...

How can you tell if your puppy's hair is matted?

I just brought Tucker for his first haircut (pictures posted in the Pictures forum) and the groomer charged me an extra $10 for dematting. I am pretty anal about brushing his hair every day with conditioner and everything. Actually, I really comb it since he has a special relationship with his brush (he won't stop gnawing on it!) I give him the brush to go to town on and while he's happily occupied, I comb his hair. I can see his skin as I comb it. What does it look like when it's matted? I feel like a bad mom for letting it get so bad that she had to charge me extra when in fact I thought I was doing a good job. Any tips to prevent it from happening again?

Also, she trimmed his nails and they were SUPER sharp...I have some really good cuts on my arms from them. Does this always happen or can you ask them to file them? I would do it myself but I am petrified I will cut them too short and hurt him.

I appreciate all of your suggestions!

Thanks!