top knots should be removed every night and combed out. When they are left in they can cause tangles and mats (as you now know), hair breakage/damage, and, i'm guessing, headaches. You know when you have your hair up in a rubber band for a long time it starts to hurt or you get a headache from the constant pressure? i'm sure dogs get that too. I've also seen hair ripped out and bald spots created from top knots left in too long, put in too tight, or caught up in the skin.
to get the mats out i work in a good detangler and try to pull it apart with my fingers first. then depending on the severity, i either use a comb to pick out the rest or a soft, small slicker brush to work it out starting at the ends of the hair.
__________________ Kellie  and  Morgan |