My yorkie's hair rarely mats but my shih tzu is another story. She doesn't like getting sprayed either. I hold her in my lap just rubbing her until she looks relaxed or fallsl asleep. Then I start working on her hair. I seperate as much as I can with my fingers. Then I spray the brush. I brush the ends very slowly, very gently until i can reach the roots. Respray the brush as necessary. I managed to comb all the mats out. In areas that don't show I would just cut them out with scissors. I am not a pro groomer but it works for me
