One of my flaws as a doggie mommy is brushing my dogs as much as they need. I let my big shih tuz hair grow out one time... it was beautiful !! BUT it would get matts if I did not brush correctly--I did find a de tangling spray worked really well. The other thing is to be sure you have a comb or brush that is getting all the hair, sometime I was brushing but a matt was forming near the skin.
I too have left my dogs with friends and just cried when I came home. I just kept telling myself that they were happy and safe, I could deal with the hair and it would grow back.
Good luck
__________________ Shinja mom to  Remy  lil Sis to   Bailey and Sammy  |