Matted fur- I feel HORRIBLE!

[nvnvgirl]

Originally Posted by Charlene1963

Also, if your metal comb has long teeth on it be extra careful when combing out the hair. I tend to grab the base of the matt and slowly work it with the comb but Ziggy has very loose skin and sometimes I have "nipped" him with the comb (bad mommy!)

Don't feel bad about missing the matts; a year ago I was in exactly the same situation as you are thinking the daily brushing was doing the job. I felt terrible when I saw all the matts so close to his skin. Live and learn. One day you'll be the one giving advice to someone in the same boat.

Yes! That's kind of what Madison's skin is like...loose. I couldn't think of how to describe it, but that's IT! Thank you! It makes it really hard to get the mats out when they're right up at the skin when you can't hang onto anything!

That is such a sweet thing for you to say; it made me cry. I hope you're right. Thank you very much.

[nvnvgirl]

Originally Posted by upindust

if your embaressed try this:
"i went on a mini vacation and our pet sistter didn't groom him so his hair became this matted"

Haha! That would probably work, but I've used the same groomer for the entire time I've had Max, and now Madison, and they know I"d never leave my babies with a petsitter. If the dogs can't go, I don't go (other than for a few hours at a time).

[nvnvgirl]

Originally Posted by eaglez28

Great advice!!!
Don't feel bad - the very same thing happen to Scruffy (my 1st yorkie) when he was 3-4 mths old. The Vet told me he was matted at the roots - But I brush him every day! He told me I would have to shave him - But I worked the matts out a little every day for a week.
I used Cowboy Magic from the feed store.
here is the picture of the metal comb - I have 2 sizes - one tiny comb for face & small for the body.

Hey, thank you for the picture! It helps a lot! Can you get those at Petsmart (or Walmart)? I have both just down the street and I'd like to get one ASAP! At least I know not to be looking for a rat-tail comb or anything

[llane24]

In addition to all of the tips mentioned already, I break it up into shorter sessions for the little puppies. You don't want them to get so miserable/scared that they never like to be brushed.

[eaglez28]

Originally Posted by nvnvgirl

Hey, thank you for the picture! It helps a lot! Can you get those at Petsmart (or Walmart)? I have both just down the street and I'd like to get one ASAP! At least I know not to be looking for a rat-tail comb or anything

I bought the small comb at Petsmart But the tiny comb at a local petstore because petsmart didn't have it.

[MyPeanutAbbyGra]

Originally Posted by mdcote

I'll try to upload the picture of the bottle. You can find it at PetEdge.com Wholesale prices on exclusive dog grooming and pet supplies - it's called "The Stuff Conditioner and Detangler"

Thank You It's really called, "The Stuff"

[nvnvgirl]

Originally Posted by eaglez28

I bought the small comb at Petsmart But the tiny comb at a local petstore because petsmart didn't have it.

Thank you! I'm going to look this weekend. I'll be taking Max to the groomer's on Friday and since Madison is doing so well, I think I may take him by just to show him to them (I'm going to have him done once his "no bathing" time is over) so they know what they're in for.

[nvnvgirl]

Originally Posted by llane24

In addition to all of the tips mentioned already, I break it up into shorter sessions for the little puppies. You don't want them to get so miserable/scared that they never like to be brushed.

Oh, I agree. Madison is 2 yrs old and he didn't seem to mind it at all, but normally I wouldn't even do it for as long as I did on him....it just seemed like he tolerated it so well that I'd try to get as much out as I could while we weren't doing anything else.

But you make a valid point.

[yorkieusa]

Originally Posted by nvnvgirl

Oh, I agree. Madison is 2 yrs old and he didn't seem to mind it at all, but normally I wouldn't even do it for as long as I did on him....it just seemed like he tolerated it so well that I'd try to get as much out as I could while we weren't doing anything else.

But you make a valid point.

I think the mats pull and they really do like for you to get them out. Believe it or not.

[nvnvgirl]

Originally Posted by yorkieusa

I think the mats pull and they really do like for you to get them out. Believe it or not.

I think you're right...I'm not sure if they pull or what, but I think they make them uncomfortable for sure! And Madison did seem like he was glad that I was combing them out, and that's why he was so calm and patient.

But this is how dumb I am.....I thought mats were just mainly a 'cosmetic' issue and it just didn't look good, along with being hard to comb out so they'd look better (and feel better b/c they looked better)...until I saw on Groomer Has It and that Teddy was all matted and they were saying how uncomfortable and in pain he was b/c of them.

It made me think back to when Madison was rubbing himself all over the carpet all the time ....I thought it was a way of "marking" (I read that somewhere), but I thought he did it an awful lot. Afterward, I felt so bad that maybe he's just been uncomfortable b/c of the mats. He seems to be doing it less since I combed him out pretty well.

It's amazing just the little things you can learn from shows like that that spark your brain and kind of put it all together....along with all the great information and help here! So, now I can take better care of my babies, and that makes me really happy.

[tjames02]

I'm not alone. I thought I was a horrible mom because I let BeBe's coat get all tangly. I tried brushing her and thought I was doing a good job, but she kept getting matted. I have a metal comb, but I wasn't using it as much as the brush. After reading this, that's all I'll use from now on. I took her to the groomer today and got her cut down so I can start from scratch. I was so afraid I was hurting her because she was fighting to get away from me but the groomer assured me that her wiggling was just because "that's what puppies do!"

For the Pantene users, which one do you use? They have so many dang varieties now I didn't know which one to get. My breeder suggested the Sleek and Shine, but the Walmart and Target I went to didn't have it.

[aerogurly]

do u guys use people shampoo for your yorkies or regular puppy shampoo? i haven't got mine yet, but I'm doing my homework and getting prepared for getting my new yorkie!! im so excited!

[ShellKaye]

I also had questions about shampoo and mats in my puppy's hair. After asking and reading what others had posted, I bought Cowboy Magic like so many on here suggested. It is the bomb!! I have tried other leave in conditioners and Johnson & Johnson detangler with so-so results. I am a convert. At first, I thought I had used too much because it is oily but after rubbing it into the fur, it soaks right in and does not leave the coat greasy. Thanks for the tips guys. You have definitely made grooming a less stressful time for my baby.

[eaglez28]

Originally Posted by aerogurly

do u guys use people shampoo for your yorkies or regular puppy shampoo? i haven't got mine yet, but I'm doing my homework and getting prepared for getting my new yorkie!! im so excited!

Baby Tearless Shampoo on the face & People Shampoo, Conditioner & Leave in Detangler everywhere else.
Infusium 23 Moisture formula.

[Southernlocs]

I just went through this with Phoenix, but didnt read this thread before i shaved him down lol. He already had a puppy cut but he had longer hair on his legs and chest that matted up. I only brushed him thinkin i was doing a good job lol, but now i need to go buy a metal comb and just let him chew on the brush like he usually does anyway.

Thanks yall