Yes, yes, yes! I can say I totally understand what you're saying. I was very naive with Yorkie hair because I had a poodle before Tatum and always used a brush. I learned when Tatum was several months old and had already had several baths that the brush I was using on her wet hair immediately after her bath was NOT getting to the roots. What you need to do is this...... first, get a metal comb (very important). Then after you bathe him next time, put a real good leave-in conditioner in (for this time, I would say use Pantene leave in or Infusium is the one I used) and comb him out - all the way down to the roots. I did NOT have to shave Tatum down. It was rough for both of us to do it and I got quite a bit of hair out with the comb but we survived. You need to maybe hold the hair at the roots and just pick, pick, pick with the comb at the root in little bitty sections. Also, the leave-in condition..... put it on liberally. You can always rinse him out again after using it to get the matts out. Then, each time you give him a bath, use a good shampoo, good conditioner and some kind of leave-in conditioner AND comb wet hair, brush dry hair. I think that's how it goes..... that's what I do anyway. Good luck in getting it all combed out. I know it can sound daunting but really, there's usually no reason to shave the dog down. I know people do it because they think there's no other way but with a little work, you can save his hair. Let me know if you have any questions because like I said, I've been there!
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~ Angie |