Snarls behind the ears

I just tried an experiement with Emma, after reading this thread. The baby powder we use has corn starch in it. I tried rubbing corn starch on the knot. It seems to help loosen the knot to the point that the slicker brush would work. I did have to cut some to get it started, but the corn starch worked better than the L'Oreal no tangle or baby powder.
 
I use a bristle brush behind the ears - its much kinder. A good stiff bristle will work knots out easily and fairly painlessly, for bigger knots you will need to slice through with scissors. If I am doing a full grooming I finish with a comb through, but a few seconds of bristle brushing every couple of days makes a huge difference.

A bristle brush also gives the coat a really lovely shiney finish and the dogs dont mine it at all. I have a german made one I picked up at a dog show but one day I will be able to afford a Mason Pearson.
 
I just bought a small and a medium FUR B GONE. OMG I love these. I am really chicken when it comes to the furminator. I quess its kind of like this but its not electric, and I have more control over the situation.

Rake on one side, and a comb like razor on the other. It removes that second coat that has been shedding, and the small one is great for behind the ears. Its made by Westminister. Yes I have a slicker also.

Those knots are a real bummer.
 
corbinam said:
I know we may have exhausted this topic, but I'm looking for advice.

Lexi is prone to a lot of little snarls behind her ears. They will turn into mats if we don't comb them out. I know most shelties are prone to mats in this spot, but Lexi's are particularly bad.

I combed them all out about 3 days ago, and now she has them again. It isn't really one big mat, just a bunch of little snarls. 3 days ago when I combed them out, I put baby powder on the fur hoping that would help. It didn't.

Any advice? I really hate to keep making her go through these uncomfortable combing sessions every few days! Any product (other than baby powder since that didn't work) keep these snarls from forming?
Click to expand...

Cornstarch helps.
 
my theory is that hair behind ears is too soft that is why it mats so fast, so it needs to be little more stiff to be like other hair. I am wondering if anyone tried a touch of regular hair spray or mousse? I got Coat dressing from CC as a gift, it is mousse spray so I have been applying it on the hair and it gives same effect like human mousse does- makes hair workable that stays better. So far so good.
 
I was wondering about corn starch- good idea and Barb I love the idea of cutting verticlly and not have to cut the mats out all together. My person who came and groomed Zak suggested a boars hair brush. It sure fluffed out his coat.
I have a good pin brush now need to add this on at the next show.
 
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