How do dog groomers untangle dog hair?

Question

I have a white toy maltese and he has kinda long hair and it always gets tangled up into a big hair ball. I've tried to untangle it but it is very very very hard and nothing has worked so far.
I take him to the groomers every month or twice a month. but sometimes he gets dirty and i have to give him shower and then blowdry and comb his hair which is very hard.
Do you know what dog groomers use and how they do it to untangle hairballs? Or if you don't know, just suggest something you think might work.
Please help! Thanks!

Answer 1

A good slicker brush, thinning shears to split and thin out thick matts and a comb. I will always use a conditioning shampoo and conditioner on long haired dogs. There are also products out there that can be sprayed on your dogs hair to help detangle. I can't remember names since I keep my dogs cut short now, but when I was showing, I used this type of spray when I brushed my dogs to help detangle and protect the ends of the hair from splitting.

Remember to always brush first before bathing. If your dog has matts...the water will make them tighter!

Answer 2

Jennifer's suggestion of asking your groomer is excellent advice. Your groomer would not only know what kind of brush would work for your dog's coat but would be able to show you proper brushing technique (yes, there is a technique to it and doing it right makes all the difference).

Good groomers have several different tools and tricks of the trade that they use to untangle dog hair depending on the type of hair, how badly it is matted, and the temperament of the dog. Sometimes just brushing it with a comb will do the trick. Other times, it requires scissors or a tool called a mat splitter that has several blades arranged like the teeth of a wide-tooth comb.

Answer 3

well i can tell you firsthand because i am a groomer. For a maltese you're gonna need a slicker brush and a metal finetooth comb (NOT a fleacomb, just a fine comb) The slicker brush will loosen everything up for the most part and will do most of the dematting. The comb goes through after to make sure that everything is out and dematted. They do sell other dematting tools but they shouldnt be necessary as long as you keep up with it and go to the groomer regularly. Make sure you brush your dog out before you give it a bath too, water tightens up the mats and makes them harder to brush out (alot like if you showered with your hair tangled) You could also by shampoo and conditioner to use. The conditioners do help with keeping the hair untangled during the bath. Also brush him while your blowdrying him (if he'll let you) that helps keep the hair straight and untangled. Good Luck.

Answer 4

Sometimes long hair is not for every dog, it's very hard to take care of, and what most people dont realize is a show coat is a 24 hour business, those dogs are often kept in wraps to keep from tangling, my best advice is to find a haircut you,your groomer and your dog can live with. Aside from that if you wash him with tangles in him as the water dries the tangles will shrink tighter to the skin, make sure he is tangle free when bathed. You can use a dematting/detangling spray for dogs. Get a dematting tool or matt splitter but be careful they can cause cuts when not used properly. Lastly use a comb to gently break up the matt. The only other thing I do at the salon which you probably cant is use a force dryer to blow it loose.

Answer 5

I've been groom pets for 16 years, and I will tell you that there is no magic solution. As a groomer, I use a slicker brush, a steel comb, and a mat splitter. The rest is just patience and elbow grease. A maltese needs to be combed out daily (especially if you keep him in full coat). It helps if you take sections of hair, and work from the bottom up, using first the slicker brush, and then going through with a comb(the slicker will help to loosen the mats). And always, make sure he is mat-free before bathing him..water tightens the mats and makes them more difficult to get out.

Answer 6

Basically when you bathe your dog put the shampoo on and lather it up really well. Then take a Slicker brush and brush your dog with the Shampoo on all over. start with the back legs and work your way around the dog. This will get your dog super clean and will loosen up the matts. Then put on Conditioner on top of the shampoo repeating the brushing process. Then put Shampoo on the face and brush the face and ears. Then after the bath get him completey dry then if he still matted then get some thinning shears and cut the matts with those. You don't need to actually keep cutting it until the matt comes out just scissor the matt a couple times with the thinning Shears. That will break up the matt then brush it with the slicker brush and the matt should just brush right out. You may need to repeat the thinning process depending on the size of the matt. The thinning shears will loosen the matt and it will NOT look choppy as if you took regular Scissors to your dogs hair. Hope i explained it well enough to you. :)

Answer 7

Dog Hair Detangler

Answer 8

As a groomer, I am always happy to teach owners about how to groom and care for their dogs between appointments. Ask your groomer. Maltese have fine coats that get easily tangled. A proper brushing technique is important, but can't be demonstrated here.

Answer 9

Most people who show their Maltese roll the hair up in small papered bundles.... and when their dogs aren't being shown (retired or are whelping pups) they give them puppy clips.

Ask your groomer to show you what to do... and offer to PAY her for the knowledge.

When I first started showing Sams I paid 3 or 4 breeders to let me WATCH them groom their Sams start to finish.. it was worth every penny.

Answer 10

Get a product called "Cowboy Magic" at horse supply stores.
You rub it into knots with your fingers; I think it's lanolin based.
Also try the links below for proper grooming supplies.
You need a slicker brush to straighten the hair.
You can also tie his hair up with ribbon bows;-{
but he might feel insulted.