i dont want to shave his beautiful coat.....

[AprilLove]

Originally Posted by bonbon

I went out and bought corn starch a while back just for this reason, but it didn't work for me. What was I doing wrong? Can you describe how you applied it, worked with it, etc?

Cornstarch works really well if you just put some directly on the knot, and work it through with your fingers., the hair just pulls right apart You don;t want to get it wet though.

[JeanieK]

Originally Posted by 3PawsomeYorkies

Thank you to all for your ideas....I am still working through the matts but its alot better....i sitll may have to shave a bit but we will see.

You can cut into the matts with a scissors, being careful not to cut the skin. You will lose some hair, but not as much as if you cut the matt out.

I use a small scissors and get one side of it between the skin and the matt, then snip it in several places.

[ladyjane]

If you use scissors, it is a good idea to slide a comb under the matt. It will help to prevent cutting the skin.

[broodizt]

Originally Posted by bonbon

I went out and bought corn starch a while back just for this reason, but it didn't work for me. What was I doing wrong? Can you describe how you applied it, worked with it, etc?

I just hold onto the mat with my left hand an grab a couple of pinches of cornstarch with my right hand and plop it on the mat-a little more if necessary-whatever it takes to completely cover the mat. Then I mush it into the mat with the fingers of both hands and gently- with both hands tease the mat apart. It should pull apart effortlessly. Then I use a variety of tools to completely get the mat to be smooth and silky, adding more cornstarch if needed so you don's hurt your baby. Hold hair at the roots so you don't pull on their skin and gently tease the hair apart with a comb and then with a pin brush or some use a slicker brush. Whatever tools you use just make sure to use enough cornstarch on the mat, tease it apart with both sets of fingers gently-and when using tools make sure to hold hair at the root to protect the skin. You will be amazed! Good luck! Let me know how it goes

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by AprilLove

Cornstarch works really well if you just put some directly on the knot, and work it through with your fingers., the hair just pulls right apart You don;t want to get it wet though.

Originally Posted by broodizt

I just hold onto the mat with my left hand an grab a couple of pinches of cornstarch with my right hand and plop it on the mat-a little more if necessary-whatever it takes to completely cover the mat. Then I mush it into the mat with the fingers of both hands and gently- with both hands tease the mat apart. It should pull apart effortlessly. Then I use a variety of tools to completely get the mat to be smooth and silky, adding more cornstarch if needed so you don's hurt your baby. Hold hair at the roots so you don't pull on their skin and gently tease the hair apart with a comb and then with a pin brush or some use a slicker brush. Whatever tools you use just make sure to use enough cornstarch on the mat, tease it apart with both sets of fingers gently-and when using tools make sure to hold hair at the root to protect the skin. You will be amazed! Good luck! Let me know how it goes

Thank you both!! I wonder if I just wasn't using enough? Well, I noticed this morning that Murphy has the perfect little knot for me to practice on tonight, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I do it right this time.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by broodizt

You will be amazed!

We used cornstarch for the first time today and we were amazed I put it on a tightly wound, long, thin mat in Max's armpit and miraculously, the hair combed out effortlessly.

Thank you for this excellent tip!

[Hedley]

When your dogs were puppies, how did you persuade them to accept grooming. I only manage a few brush strokes before he starts biting the brush or wanting to escape. He will accept a bristle brush but really hates the slicker even though its one labelled for sensitive skin. I was wondering if a comb was any better? I tried brush, treat, brush, treat etc but at the end of it I hadnt really done any more brushing before I ran out of treats!

Hedley is only 3 1/2 months old and I know its early days, but I dont like the mats and feel as if they will get worse. I have a grooming spray but cant see that this makes any difference really.