Mats behind the ears

[corbinam]

I also found that they were worse at certain times of year (maybe when they were shedding?) and at certain ages (prior to them having their full coat).

At those times, the only thing I could do was to comb them out every other day.

 

[bdmann]

Ok thanks! I brushed it out last night but there were still a few super tight small spot so I have no idea how to get those out. May just have to cut those but i really don't want to I did use baby powder though and it seemed to help a little.

 

[corbinam]

Ok thanks! I brushed it out last night but there were still a few super tight small spot so I have no idea how to get those out. May just have to cut those but i really don't want to I did use baby powder though and it seemed to help a little.

Sometimes when it gets that bad it is best to cut it out. That way you are starting with a clean slate and you can comb every day or so going forward to prevent them from coming back.

 

[Lightplum]

I also found that they were worse at certain times of year (maybe when they were shedding?) and at certain ages (prior to them having their full coat).

At those times, the only thing I could do was to comb them out every other day.

Yes shedding does speed up the knot formation as the pieces are shedding out it will knot in there...also Ive found keeping the fur trimmed pretty much eliminates all knots.

 

[roxyllsk]

Would baby powder help with mats in the rear 'pants' area ? I trim him a little back there so he doesn't get ahem dingleberries but he seems to get a little matted on either side.

 

[2GoodDogs]

I found a big mat behind both ears... tried baby powder, it smelled nice! Ended up using the thinning shears and snipped it all out. Was huge and matted way down to the skin. Will brush daily for awhile!

 

[BarbV]

Would baby powder help with mats in the rear 'pants' area ? I trim him a little back there so he doesn't get ahem dingleberries but he seems to get a little matted on either side.

Baby powder won't help so much in the coarser hair do the pants, I don't think. Those are different kind of mats unless the dog is so badly undegroomed then at that point you are almost talking shaving.

Normal Sheltie fat pants just requires a lot of misting and line brushing. You can read up on that in other areas of the forum.

But back to scissors. For ears, in extreme circumstances you can try it scissor out the matts. Using a thinning shear make a couple do vertical slices into the mat, slicker out. If necessary make a few more. Always hold your fingering between the skin and the brush as you work it to prevent tugging and pain.

If you have got beg fat Sheltie pants, you can thin them with scissors but this is best left to a groomer who knows double coated breeds! Never allow anyone to touch your shelttie with clippers unless its only for the poop chute.

 

[romeosangiovese]

...also Ive found keeping the fur trimmed pretty much eliminates all knots.

Yes! I discovered this accidentally. I got really frustrated and tired of getting out mats every few days and decided to trim and thin the soft silky fur behind the ears short and to my surprise - no mats in an entire week!

 

[bdmann]

Thanks everyone! I just decided to cut it out. Got her ears trimmed too while I was at it and she looks very cute

 

[roxyllsk]

Baby powder won't help so much in the coarser hair do the pants, I don't think. Those are different kind of mats unless the dog is so badly undegroomed then at that point you are almost talking shaving.

Normal Sheltie fat pants just requires a lot of misting and line brushing. You can read up on that in other areas of the forum.

I trim up the poop chute with scissors but leave the pants alone on either side. I brush him pretty thoroughly several times a week (more than that when he's shedding) and he's pretty good about it.

The mats are not big, maybe about the width of a finger or 2, and they come out with a little patience. Just wondering if there was something that would make them come out a little easier, or that would keep them from coming back.

My other 2 rescue shelties did not have the beautiful long hair that my young man has, so this is new for me.