serious knots

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newf4u

Inactive Member
Ok I have done a bad, bad thing. I put a collar on my boy of 8 months, I guess because my Shepherd has always had one, with their id's on them in case they ever got lost. But I wasn't even thinking about the whole long hair thing, and my puppy now has very large knots, I guess matts, around his neck under his chin. I have been working at it with a metal comb trying to work them out, but wow is this tough. It's a really hard place to groom, because of course he always wants to eat the comb.
Any suggestions on how to get these knots out, and am I using the right tools. I am using a metal comb and a rake. Any help would be much appreciated by me and my "baby" because neither one of us is enjoying this.
Oh one more thing, I know you say not to use people product on their coats, but I have some spray on leave in conditioner, and in this case do you think I should try it? Thanks in advance.

Jennifer

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K

Kanela

Inactive Member
Hi, Jennifer. There is a rinse-free spray called "Coat Conditioner & Tangle Remover" by a company called "Refresh" (available at Petco) that I use on my fur kids that works fantastic. Here's a testimonial that sold me on it. I use this spray on my Chow, Bear. Now, his fur is MUCH thicker than a Newfs - in fact, it can be unexaggeratingly compared to sheep's wool - and after a few spritzes, his comb sails right through. His tail has the densest, springy hair and even that hair ends up almost soft to the touch.

With your baby's tangles, if they're THAT bad, try spraying this stuff (or any other tangle remover...FOR ANIMALS, NOT FOR HUMANS!) on the problem area, comb out until you hit a snarl, then spray some more. If you still can't comb it off, then gently snip it off.

Hey, it makes sense to me!


Jeannie (known as JGGROSCH here at Newf Net) is the real expert on this, though. She's a professional groomer and has three Newfs herself. I might have just blown a bunch of hot air at you - you should really ask her!


Kanela

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"To err is human.
To forgive, canine."
 
K

Kanela

Inactive Member
Or maybe you were asking her and I just butted in.


Kanela

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"To err is human.
To forgive, canine."
 
Shifty

Shifty

New member
We keep a collar on our boy as well. But we remove it nightly for a little grooming (more like preventative brush/rake maintenance) in that area...so far so good.

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90% Newf, 10% Who Cares.
 
Jeannie

Jeannie

Super Moderator
OK, If the mats are really tight to the skin you need to shave them out with clippers and a #10 or 15 blade. If they are not tight to the skin you can work them out. If you take a pair of shears and cut INTO the mat NOT across the mat, it will help break the mat and make it easier to comb out. Only do small amounts at a time because dematting can be very painful. Do not, I repeat do not soak the mat with water. Water will only cause it to set in tighter. If you do have to cut or shave it--for humane purposes-it will grow back in no time. With Newfies we have an endless supply of hair.


If you decided to keep a collar on your dog, get a ROLLED LEATHER collar. Rolled leather will not mat the hair like a flat collar. And remember to comb the neck on a regular basis.

Sorry if I sound blunt. It is the groomer in me. I see so many matted dogs and the owners say "comb it out" Many times I have refused--my heart won't let me put the dogs through the torture of getting out really bad mats. Sorry again for being blunt.

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Jeannie and the rescues
Sara, Samantha and Panda
www.newfland.com
 
sarnewfie

sarnewfie

New member
I swear by my serrated blade dematting comb, you can find them in any pet magazine, they are razor sharp and dangerous for our fingers but not the dog! if you can carefully split thru with a scissors without scraping skin you can try that, or do as the expert jggrosh says to! good luck!
 
GAD

GAD

Administrator
Staff member
I agree - with tough matts just cut them out. It's amazing how fast their fur grows back.

GAD
 
N

newf4u

Inactive Member
Thank you all sooooo much, you have all been a big help, this forum is a wealth of info for a new "Newf Mom."
And jggrosh, I just wanted to say, you didn't sound blunt at all, I appreciate your knowledge...and just so you can be at ease...when I was stating that me and me "Baby" neither one of us is enjoying this in my first note. I wasn't meaning that it was hurting him when I was trying to comb his knots out. I would never groom to the point of pain, hey I remember what it was like when my Mom used to do my long hair in the morning when I was a little girl...not much fun.
What I meant is that he has a really hard time sitting still for that long, and hates getting his coat done, something we're working on a little at a time. But thanks again for all your information.

Jennifer
 
Maggiesmom

Maggiesmom

New member
Thats too funny!! I have the same memory from when I was a kid with long hair and snarls in it. Except it was my DAD
yanking the comb through it to get the knots out. Mom kept trying to teach him the right way to do it but he never caught on!! So when ever I hit a mat in the girls I work so slow and careful at it cuz man can that HURT!!!!


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Shawn....
Maggie, JoJo, Alex, & Destiny too
 
kzdz

kzdz

New member
My mom always told me, "Remember what Grandma used to say -- It hurts to be beautiful!" I didn't believe it then, either.
 
bridge2itnf@aol.com

bridge2itnf@aol.com

New member
Ive had to cut a couple of mats out behind tuggs ears before, that seems to be a problem area for him
Bridget
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Until We Newf Again
 
A

AmyPC

Inactive Member
I've just found some of these mats on Rory in the same place. I was horrified when I found them, I swear they sprung up overnight (but in reality I probably wasn't grooming that bit properly). Rory wears a collar 27/7. I don't even take it off to groom every time I do it. (Stupid, I know better now...)

I really don't know what the rolled leather collars are. Are they rounded on the edges? Are they rounded like rope, but leather? Rory wears a flat leather collar.

The other problem area is behind the ears but that is not too bad and usually just takes a little extra attention with a fine comp.

The major problem area with Rory is the area around her privates as I've mentioned before. Because of her slight incontinence problem she is often damp in that area and it's an ideal environment for the mats. And being damp, it's hard (and painful) for her when I try to get them out. To make it easier on both of us I tend to just trim them away as it's an area you really don't see.

Once the incontinence is sorted out I can sort the area out. It's very frustrating though!
 
A

AmyPC

Inactive Member
Thanks for the link!

But I've never in my life seen one of these collars before! And I've looked at lots of shops! But maybe I just haven't noticesd them because I haven't been looking specifically for them.

I will keep my eye out now!
 
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