Matts

[Annie Norton (Missy May)]

My Missy is loaded with matts which I cannot get out. Considering the Les pooches emergency Matt zapper . It is quite pricey. Wondering if anyone has experienced success with it.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I havent tried that, but i do like my Les Pooches brush. i found it wasnt so good on the big matts though, and bought an Oster rake which I LOVE

http://www.osterpro.com/Products.aspx?id=groomer&cid=1008

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

After reading Nancy's comment I thought I would add.....

The Oster rakes say shedding, but Cooper does not shed and it works great

Coopers matted terribly while going through the coat change, now she only needs brushing once every few weeks

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am glad the rake works for you and Cooper because it seems the perfect thing for a thick=coated doodle. Ned actually cries when I use mine on him, but perhaps the Oster Rake is designed better.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I have a rake which pulls out undercoat - guess what! If they don't have an undercoat (non=shedding doods do not) then you are pulling out attached to the body hair and it hurts. The rake works great on my shedding doodle. I don't have a matt zapper. I would contact Kemp at doodlecountrystore.com or find his page here on dk and consult with him. He sells LesPouchs products (I have two brushes) and has helped many of us choose the correct brushes etc.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Depending on the extent of the matts (and what you have already tried) you might have to just consider it a lesson learned and take her to be shaved down. Although there are lots of products on the market such as the Matt zapper from Les Pooch, you have to decide if what you are going to put Missy through in order to get the matts out is worth it in the end. If you don't already have a Les Poochs brush, I would definitely get one of those. They are a little tricky to get used to in the beginning (gotta keep your hands out of the way) but well worth it. As mentioned Kemp can steer you in the direction of the correct brush. I have not used the zapper but I do have the brush and find it to be the best money I ever spent. You page says Missy is 8 months (not sure how old that info is) but if so you are right in the beginning stages of coat change.

[Annie Norton (Missy May)]

Thank you! Missy was a year old in september. I brush her almost every night but must be doing it incorrectly! Will check in with kemp and see what he suggests. I hate to have shaved as she looks so emaciated!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Annie --- If you haven't done so already you might want to join the "Grooming Group" as there is some really great info in there on the coat changes. This particular link is one on "line brushing" which will help you a great deal to be sure you are getting all the way down to the skin and to where the matts like to hide!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szIij_zknNs

[Shelby and Kev]

My experience is that without regular brushing, at least every other day, the best option is to shave her down. Starting from scratch was better than hours of hassle. Hair grows fast and for her sake, think about it!

[Annie Norton (Missy May)]

Guess I will havey Missy shaved get a really good brush and be extremely deligent with brushing! Really appreciate your imput kevin'

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Kaytlin, which rake do you have? I have the grooming comb. Maybe the Oster rake would work for Ned. I would love it if it did. Combing takes forever and leaves him too fluffy so I have to spritz him down.