Quote:
Originally Posted by toulouse  I'm also having problems with my new yorkie =( She only 3 months old and i just got her this past weekend. The lady who previously owned her obviously didnt take care of her hair very well, she has mats all on her legs, sides, and belly. This morning I finally was able to get the rubber band the lady had on the top of her head out and of course that hair is just another big mat now which makes me sad. I dont want to have to out that one out cause she looks super cute with bows. I bought everything under the sun yesterday from petsmart :the groomers comb, wire brush, conditioner, and detangling spray, but she want really let me comb the mats at all... she freaks out and suggestions??? she cant go to a groomer for another 3 weeks after she get her third set of shots. I showed the groomer at petsmart yesterday and she was worried if i dont get them out asap she'll have to be completely shaved and they might not be able to do it. They said they have to refer her to a vet and it's not going to be pretty if the vet does it =( Then they also told me they shouldnt be shaved until they're atleast 6 or 7 months old cause it can mess up the texture of their hair... is this true? |
I'm not sure if you have a friend that can help, but if you do, you can try having them hold her, and you take one area that is matted, say a back leg and work on that leg. Use cornstarch on the mat,first. With your fingers slowly work in the cornstarch into matted area. Then with the end of a rat tailed comb, starting from the ends of the hair, you slowly pick apart the mat. Try not to pull the hair at all. Once the mat is out then you can brush hair from tip to root, then finally comb out that section. Have your friend give her a high value treat when you are working on the back leg.
If this doesn't work, ie; you can't release the mat this way; then you might try, carefully using the scissors to cut through the most matted area, and try again to pick apart the rest of the mat. You will lose hair of course but it is a step that can be taken before shaving the mat out.
If you don't have an assistant, then you can wrap her in a towel, all but the part you want to work on, and hold her on your lap, and try again.
Be careful with your scissors. If you are not used to using scissors, get a pair of blunt tipped scissors, a small sized pair.
Good Luck, let us know how it goes.