Using a mat zapper

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am scared to death of using a mat zapper. Will I cut my dood? Will I over use it and cut him bald? I have been using an old pair of curved, dull pointed nail scissors and running them sideways through the mats. Is a mat zapper better or more efficient? If a mat zapper is a good tool to use, how often do you use it? What is a good one? My doodle, who will be a year old on St. Patrick's Day has a curly fleece coat. He is small - 28 pounds.

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

The zapper works wonders. Hold the tynes so all of them are on the dog at one time. If you tilt it, the corner can dig in. Use short strokes and work from the skin out. ie you must lift the coat. You don't need to press hard at all. Just let the brush do the work, not your muscles. Check the brushing instructions I posted the other day.
You won't pull our coat that is not supposed to come out. Good luck!

[Loreta Janca]

Wish I had this a few days ago. Poor Rusty had to be shaved. I brush him frequently, but apparantly I wasn't getting close enough to the skin. The girls I took him to said they might be able to brush them out, but then they found some more mats around his legs that were pretty close to the skin. Needless to say I felt terrible. Now he looks like a cartoon dog, with a big, fluffy head and a small body. He's 65 lbs (with all his fur) but not so intimidating anymore. I think he's a little self concious! They recommended a comb, which I've recently read on this site as well. Going to start using that to avoid this in the future. It'll be months before he gets that gorgeous shaggy look back. :(

[Marianne *OZZY & ZOEY]

Oh no shaved....I hope that does not happen to Ozzy but I have a feeling I will be on here crying tomorrow.