How to Brush Tangled Dog Hair

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Medium
15 - 45 Minutes
1 Week

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Introduction

Brushing your dog's tangled hair can be quite frustrating for both you and your dog. If your dog has wiry fur it is probably tangled quite often. If you're dealing with a dog who has long fur and hasn't been groomed on a regular basis, these tangles can be quite painful, pulling the fur from his skin and causing sensitivity and discomfort. 

When you are ready to tackle these tangles in your dog's fur, be sure you have all the right tools on hand and lots of rewards to prepare your dog and make it as quick and easy as possible. There are lots of tools you can use to eliminate tangles and prevent future tangles from occurring. Some of these tools might include a slicker brush or a FURminator, which are made specifically to detangle and help de-shed. Eliminating your dog’s heavy undercoat and excess fur will also improve his coat, keeping tangles at bay.


Dog's Perspective

If your dog has tangled fur, he might be a bit nervous to have you brush him in those areas. Large mats are heavy and pull on small sections of your dog's skin. The skin around tangles and knots can be sensitive from the weight of the knot. Just be gentle and take your strokes slow as you're working the tangles out, so you're not pulling and tugging at his skin. 

The Small Sections Method

Effective
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Slicker Brush
Pin Brush
Deshedder
Comb
Step
1
Ears
If your dog has wiry fur or long fur you may find knots behind his ears quite often. If not dealt with, these knots can turn into large mats which may potentially need to be cut out. This is a very sensitive section for your pup, so be sure to brush with a gentle tug and the proper brush. Very slowly with short strokes, detangle the knots behind your dog's ears one small section at a time.
Step
2
Under legs
Another area quite often tangled is under your dog's legs. Use a slicker brush with slow gentle strokes to detangle these areas. Once you have these small areas detangled, use longer strokes to brush all the way through.
Step
3
Paw pads
Many dog owners ignore the dog's paw pads. It's important to remember your dog's paws see a lot of the world and need to be groomed as well. The best way to get rid of tangles on your dog's paw pads is to cut them or clip them away with scissors or clippers. However, you can use a fine-tooth comb to very gently comb through each tangle, ridding the area of uncomfortable knots.
Step
4
Potty area
With a fine-tooth comb, brush gently around your dog’s potty area. This includes his bottom as well as the stomach. Gently brush both of these areas with short strokes, removing any tangles. This is an extremely sensitive area for your dog, so be gentle.
Step
5
Body
Thoroughly brush your dog's body with a pin brush or a slicker brush. If you come across small tangles, brush through them using short strokes. Any areas that are tangle-free, brush with long strokes.
Step
6
Face
If your dog has a long beard or long fur on his face, use a fine-tooth comb to work out any small tangles using short strokes with the comb's teeth close to the knot. Once the tangles are worked out, use longer strokes to smooth the fur.

The Brushing Maintenance Method

Effective
0 Votes
Spray
Slicker Brush
Pin Brush
Deshedder
Comb
Step
1
Before bath
Be sure to brush your dog thoroughly before his bath. If your dog has long fur, brushing before bathing him will help to get out any tangles and keep others from forming while in the bathtub.
Step
2
Condition
If your dog has long fur or fur that often becomes tangled or matted, consider using a leave-in conditioner during bath time. You can also use a leave-in spray conditioner before you brush your dog.
Step
3
Dampen coat
Always use a spray bottle to dampen your dog's coat before brushing. This can be water or a mix of water and conditioner or even a leave-in conditioner. Brushing a dry coat may cause the fur to split at the ends and tangle more often.
Step
4
Long coats
Use a pin brush and a comb to create small parts in your dog's coat and brush in small sections. Be sure to brush in the direction the fur grows to avoid creating tangles.
Step
5
Knots and tangles
When you come across a tangle, separate that spot from the rest of the fur and pull very gently with small strokes to release the fur from the tangle. Use your fingers or even a long straight tool to separate the tangle from the rest of the fur.
Step
6
Break up each tangle
Break up each individual tangle. Use your fingers or a long firm tool to break the tangle into smaller sections. This will give you multiple small tangles to comb through with a fine-tooth comb or a slicker brush.
Step
7
End with comb
If your dog often becomes a tangled mess, end every brushing with a comb through to gently smooth the tangle-free fur and give your dog a beautiful coat.

Caution & Considerations

  • Take tangle brushing slow and easy.
  • Tangles that are tight against your dog’s skin cause tender areas on the skin.
  • Some tangles need to be cut out with scissors, but try to work through them with a brush to avoid loss of fur or bald spots.
  • If possible, always try to hold the tangles in your hand while brushing through.
  • Pinching the fur near the root will keep the fur from pulling on the skin as your brush through the tangles.
  • Remember, brushing your dog on a regular basis will decrease the number of tangles you have to deal with at each grooming session.
  •  If you have a long-haired dog, you may be able to lift the tangles up and off of your dog's skin to pull them out gently.
  •  Be sure to use the right tools to remove tangles from your dog's matted hair. A slicker brush or a FURminator are good for removing mats, knots, and tangles. A rake brush is also a decent tangle remover.
  • Some tangles in your dog's fur, especially if you have a long-haired dog, are loose fur that has shed and become tangled within the coat while other tangles are all a result of existing fur knotting together.
  •  Your dog may have an outer coat and an undercoat. Be sure to use a de-shedding tool to remove as much of the undercoat as you can every time you brush your dog.

Conclusion

Your pup may have long and luscious locks, but Rapunzel he is not. Care for the tangles in his fur with daily brushing and the right grooming tools. Even if his fur is shorter, rid him of those tangles, which cause heavy mats and discomfort.

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