Advice on how to remove mats from a dogs coat

[wyoDreamer]

My english setter has been shedding big time and had developed huge mats in his skirt - the long hair on his but.
We went on vacation for 5 days and he didn't get brushed out. He has a tank of water out in the yard that he loves to splash in and I think that is contributing to the matting problem.
His fur is very fine and soft.

Right now I think my only option is to cut them out - which will practically shave his but in spots. I would really like to avoid baboon butt if I can help it. He was a pound pup, and is sensitive about me working on his back-end. We have progressed alot over the two years that I have had him and he will allow me to brush him. But now that he is matted, he starting to bite if you get near his back-end with a brush.

Anyone have advice on how to remove these mats?

 

[hdowden]

shave him as a whole. if you dont show him or anything just shave all of him its the only way i know of to get bad mats out of a dogs coat

 

[Oregon Blues]

Go down to the feed store and buy a tube of Cowboy Magic detangler. Soak the mats thoroughly. Let it sit for a minute then pick the knots out one at a time with a steel comb.

You have to hold the mat firmly near the skin while you pick at it so you don't pull the dog's hair and hurt him.

It also works to soak the mat with Cowboy Magic and keep brushing lightly at the surface with a slicker brush.

You can spray the mat with WD-40 and it will comb right out, but then you must wash the dog about 3 times to get all the WD-40 off. The Cowboy Magic gets left in. It is a hair moisturizer and good for the coat.

Get someone to hold the head so you have both hands free to pick at knots. The head holder will slip a piece of cheese to the dog every now and again to make the process worthwhile to the dog.

 

[wyoDreamer]

Luckily, last night I discovered that if I let him roll onto his back and expose his belly, he will let me work on his butt as long as I am carefull about pulling. Oh, and I need to rub his belly every so often.

I will try the Cowboy Magic. I am fairly sure they have it, or something close to it, in town. We have alot of horse people around here.

Editted to add:
Wow, $64 for a bottle of that stuff! a friend gave me something to try tonight, so hope fully her cream will work well. His skirt is going to be trimmed next week, I just don't want to have to shave his hair off to the skin because he has sunburn issues on his nose already.

 

[Chicken Frenzie]

Luckily, last night I discovered that if I let him roll onto his back and expose his belly, he will let me work on his butt as long as I am carefull about pulling. Oh, and I need to rub his belly every so often.

I will try the Cowboy Magic. I am fairly sure they have it, or something close to it, in town. We have alot of horse people around here.

Editted to add:
Wow, $64 for a bottle of that stuff! a friend gave me something to try tonight, so hope fully her cream will work well. His skirt is going to be trimmed next week, I just don't want to have to shave his hair off to the skin because he has sunburn issues on his nose already.

Good luck!

 

[FireTigeris]

It's probably a lifetime supply tho-

I would think olive oil might work too - or was it raw egg- both edible, both good for hair... but can't remember which...

 

[therapydoglady]

My english setter has been shedding big time and had developed huge mats in his skirt - the long hair on his but.
We went on vacation for 5 days and he didn't get brushed out. He has a tank of water out in the yard that he loves to splash in and I think that is contributing to the matting problem.
His fur is very fine and soft.

Right now I think my only option is to cut them out - which will practically shave his but in spots. I would really like to avoid baboon butt if I can help it. He was a pound pup, and is sensitive about me working on his back-end. We have progressed alot over the two years that I have had him and he will allow me to brush him. But now that he is matted, he starting to bite if you get near his back-end with a brush.

Anyone have advice on how to remove these mats?

If you have a Sally's Beauty Supply or other Beauty supply outlet, there is a product called Ion Silk. It's about $7 a bottle. I am a Certified Master Groomer (21 years) and I use this a lot. It makes the hair rather slippery, and if you start at the bottom of the mat, you can usually work it out w/ a metal comb. If not, for the dog's comfort, cut it out. It's hair...it'll grow back.

 

[Slinkytoys]

Cornstarch. Use liberally. Leave in, then brush out. Works especially well on cats. Non-toxic and is usually found in anyone's pantry.
I've been a professional groomer for 40 years, as well as showing my own dogs for longer than that. Now I feel old.
Slinky

 

[sdsknifeworks]

I have had luck using a comb that sort of cuts the mat. It looks like a series of linoleum blades instead of comb teeth. It does remove some hair but has helped me get out some mild to intermediate mats on my dogs. I picked it up at a pet supply store.

SDS

 

[featherfooted]

I know what you are talking about with mats and English setters. We had one for 15 years, we had to have her put to sleep 3 weeks ago due to age. Lost my best mouser. The mats can get very bad. Each year in May I got so I would totally body clipper her with a number 4 blade. This blade leaves the hair about 3/4" long if you clip with the hair. It gave her a summer free of mats and she was a little cooler. I use to say I turned my Setter into a Pointer every year. Her hair was always back to normal for the winter.