Mats

[maxmom]

Originally Posted by red98vett

There's a very good degangler called Cowboy Magic - I use it - but the best thing for the hair is to keep it very clean at all times and regular brushing

I agree - the change from puppy coat to adult is a nightmare.....they really tend to matt easliy - also - harnesses and clothes are another reason for that kind of matting - so try to keep it at a minimum.

I remember letting Cheri run around in this beautiful pink fuzzy form fitting sweater for a whole day and holy crap - she looked like she stuck her paw in a light socket and the tangles were horrible....took me hours to work them out and I learned to never ever do that again

She looked like one of those exagerrated hair commercials where the woman has hair in a halo all over her head full of rats nests ?

I just checked their site and there is a place close by that carries their products, so I'll be there tomorrow to buy the de-tangler

[yorkiepuppie]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Matts are so common when puppies are growing out of their puppy coat. If one doesn't keep on top of it with a daily brushing out, they can get out of hand. New puppy owners tend to be a bit reluctant in brushing, fearing it hurts their new pup or the new pup isn't cooperative. A good groomer can get them out without cutting the coat down. The problem is that most groomers can't take the time required to work on one pup.

I'm a groomer and show yorkies too, I refuse to cut a dog down without working out the matts (even if the owner wants a cut down), those clippers running through the coat pulls too.

i don't understand why you refuse to cut a dog down without working out the matts? because the clipper will pull the skin?

i always cut out milu's mats (with scissors) before taking her to the groomer. because otherwise they always try to comb it out and they pull on her hair so hard! they used to make milu yelp when they are combing out the mats, i always stop them and say i don't want them to comb it out, please cut it with scissors.

[yorkiepuppie]

Originally Posted by kapena

Riley is 3 and a half months and is completely matted all under him and on his sides. I tried combing and brushing, detangler, conditioner... now I started cutting it but its so close to his skin that he would be half bald if I continue.... any suggestions?

does he have a long coat or short coat? milu has short coat (puppy cut) and i always just cut out her mats with scissors. (very slowly and very carefully) she looks fine and her hair grows back really fast!

i tried the de-tangling spray it really doesn't work for us.

[red98vett]

Originally Posted by maxmom

I just checked their site and there is a place close by that carries their products, so I'll be there tomorrow to buy the de-tangler

It's EXCELLENT. you put a small amount on a tangle and you can literally pull it apart....

I used to use a tiny bit on dry hair too for shine and when brushing - but I'm more careful about leave-in's because they'll attract dirt over time on the hair - but Cowboy Magic is a wonderful detangler - smells awesome too

[maxmom]

Originally Posted by red98vett

It's EXCELLENT. you put a small amount on a tangle and you can literally pull it apart....

I used to use a tiny bit on dry hair too for shine and when brushing - but I'm more careful about leave-in's because they'll attract dirt over time on the hair - but Cowboy Magic is a wonderful detangler - smells awesome too

Oh, Im glad you told me, I thought it was used like a conditioner on wet hair then comb and rinse ..
I don't like leave ins.. makes their hair look dirty

[red98vett]

Originally Posted by maxmom

Oh, Im glad you told me, I thought it was used like a conditioner on wet hair then comb and rinse ..
I don't like leave ins.. makes their hair look dirty

ya - me either - I use it before a bath IF I find a bad tangle or when their harnesses cause them - it saves you from hurting them trying to brush it out - plus you don't want to bathe a dog with bad tangles - makes it worse and harder to get out so you want to remove them before bathing....

I swear by it and tried many others when they were younger - this one is the best IMO....

[shakers world]

Buy a De-matting comb. Use it like a rake while holding the hair close to the skin so it doesnt pull. Work from the bottom to closer to the skin. I demat mine about every other week. Requires alot of patience on both parts but it gets easier and you dont have to shave. If you run into a thick mat...use some sharp scissors, open and stick the point thru the matting and slice thru it to break it up. Hope any of this helps

[maxmom]

Originally Posted by red98vett

ya - me either - I use it before a bath IF I find a bad tangle or when their harnesses cause them - it saves you from hurting them trying to brush it out - plus you don't want to bathe a dog with bad tangles - makes it worse and harder to get out so you want to remove them before bathing....

I swear by it and tried many others when they were younger - this one is the best IMO....

Can't wait to try it. We'll post an update after I use it

[red98vett]

Originally Posted by maxmom

Can't wait to try it. We'll post an update after I use it

It'll feel greasy when you use it but I believe it's water based - I've never had trouble any w/residue after bathing ....and also - it does work on dry hair if you want to brush without pulling.... not to mention - I love how it smells

[DerbyLayne]

does that stuff work for burrs in the hair too?

when derby was a puppy, we just shaved him because of this reason.

NOw I find that we tend to go the shave route everytime he has stuff stuck in it- which is very often. he loves to play outside and i don't know how he does it, but i can never get those burrs out of his hair!! a few yes, but not when he's covered in it...

[Juliealfies mum]

Get yourself one of these brushes. It great for mats it gets them out without any tugging on the dogs hair, its meant for use on people but it really works great. Alfie hates getting brushed and even he does not mind this at all.I think you can get them on e-bay but here is a ink to thier main web site.Tangle Teezer - Dramatically reduce hair breakage, splitting, and damage due to mistreatment of your hair

[Her Name Is Rio]

[QUOTE=kapena;3071134]I didn't realize when I first got him ( 3 weeks ago) that I needed to brush him regularly and once I figured that out his mats are so bad that he bits the brush when I try and basically HATES I tried 3 different types of brushes hoping one would work better but he doesn't like any of them. Thanks for all the answers good to know i'm not alone. Do you think he's too young to get shaved?[/QUOTTY

I gave Rio treats every time I pulled the brush out when she was a young pup. She still gets treats every time I brush her (which is daily) so she associates treats with her brush and comes running TOWARD me!

[maxmom]

Originally Posted by Juliealfies mum

Get yourself one of these brushes. It great for mats it gets them out without any tugging on the dogs hair, its meant for use on people but it really works great. Alfie hates getting brushed and even he does not mind this at all.I think you can get them on e-bay but here is a ink to thier main web site.Tangle Teezer - Dramatically reduce hair breakage, splitting, and damage due to mistreatment of your hair

I was checking the reviews last night, but are they sold here in US?

[red98vett]

Originally Posted by DerbyLayne

does that stuff work for burrs in the hair too?

when derby was a puppy, we just shaved him because of this reason.

NOw I find that we tend to go the shave route everytime he has stuff stuck in it- which is very often. he loves to play outside and i don't know how he does it, but i can never get those burrs out of his hair!! a few yes, but not when he's covered in it...

oh yes - it works great for burrs too

I hate those things - it's burr season here too so I really watch where I walk mine now.... try to get them off right away..... they can get them stuck in their mouths plus they hurt like all heck.. I normally only see a few but I have to check constantly for the next month or so -

[OwnedByJezebel]

Originally Posted by maxmom

I was checking the reviews last night, but are they sold here in US?

Here is one that is sold in Canada and ships to the US. http://www.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=5757828

However, I find it strange that, even though they are based in Canada, they charge sales tax based on the rates in the US state that you live in. Within the US, you don't have to pay sales tax if you are buying from a state other than the one in which you live, so why would you have to if buying from Canada?