Whats the best tool for getting matts out?

[Pam]

Buddy is now 17 months old.  He has just started getting matts at the top of the front leg, along the inside (armpit?)  They seem to appear overnight and I have been having all kinds of trouble getting them out.  Should I get a matt splitter or is there something else that works better?  Any guidence anyone can give me will be such help.  I have never had a dog that matts and don't know how to handle them.

[Trudy Harlow]

I just keep my doodle trimmed down to nothing in those areas, which you usually can't see easily.  That's the only way I can keep his "armpits"and under his ears free of mats.

[Brenda Silva]

Our Teddi had the same thing...not so much now that she is older (4) but still matts up after a bath.  I use a small scissor but I dont just cut it as I like the long hair. I take them through the matt (following the hair pattern) in just a couple places.... to loosen the matt and then comb the matt out starting at one end and moving to the other end of matt...small sections.  On a large matt it can take some time but not as much as it seems. I mimic a splitter but it is easier on Teddi in sensitive spots.

 

[Ellen, Brûlée, and Tira]

I'd try some Cowboy Magic, rubbed into the mat.  After massaging it in, you will find it a lot easier to work through the tight areas.  As  Brenda and Trudy said, trimmimg shorter is also really helpful.

[Pam]

Is it the Cowboy Magic Detangler or just the Conditioner?  Where is the best place to buy it online?  Thanks for your help

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

That's a common area for a doodle to get mats, and a very sensitive part of the body too. My groomer has advised me to bring Lucy in every 6 weeks for a trim (body 1/2", legs 1"), otherwise she starts to mat in those areas (she cuts/shaves those particular mats out rather than try to break them apart). What others have suggested for splitting the mats may help, but keep in mind the sensitivity of the area.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I like to use thinning shears on Tara's mats. They work well at breaking down the mat so you can comb it out and they also leave the hair in that area thinner so it doesn't mat as easily. I suppose I should just keep thinning those areas BEFORE  they mat but , hey, that would make things way too easy! LOL!

[Kaira]

I recently purchased the Safari dematting comb - I'm sure other companies make a similar one but this was the first I found.  It slid through those mats, breaking them up, like they were butter.  I can't recommend it enough. 

I wrote this post about it on my blog the other day.

http://emmaandremy.wordpress.com/2011/10/16/matted-fur-no-more/