Badly Matted!

Caprice
  What kind of spray on conditioners have you tried? Does Daisy let you brush and work on her? I used to have a Poodle named Rocky who was very patient and would let me untangle his mats with a steel comb. I know it couldn't have felt good, but he would let me do it when needed. I've heard using a diluted conditioner like Pantene works well. I use a leave on conditioner  called The Stuff on Dugan and Maddie. I haven't really had any problems with matting because I do try to brush them out everyday, whether they like it or not. There are special combs available for dematting too. If nothing works, I guess they'll have to be cut out. When I took Maddie to the groomer the other day, I brushed her before I left.
I wanted her to look good. I'm the type of person who would clean their house before the cleaning lady comes.LOL  (If I could afford a cleaning lady) 

Get a spray conditioner, or mix your own I think if you search Bunni she has a mixture. then get a plastic like afro comb/pic and hold the hair with your fingers between the skin and the hair that you are  pulling don't just pull it out w/o protecting the dog or he/she will never want you to do it again (neither would I  and start untangling. Pull from the hair furthest away from the skin and work up. If it's really terrible cut it out, but make sure you always have a comb between the skin and the mat or you will cut the skin.

IMO, don't demat her and don't ask the groomer to demat her. Just let the groomer shave her, this time, and take it as a lesson in what needs to be done next time. You don't want her to associate brushing with dematting, this early on, and you don't want her associating the groomer with pain. 

Jennie, that is what I was thinking. I really don't want her to be scared of the groomer. And it is so hard to get her used to brushing anyways... this would just set us back. I don't mind her being shaved, poor thing... I hope she doesn't! I have some sweaters and a sweatshirt for her that she can wear afterward if she is cold.

Thanks for all of the replies!

I agree with Jeanne 100%.
 
As groomers, we are constantly working with dogs that "just hate to be brushed" and to make a groomer de-matt a dog just makes the grooming experience that much harder for the dog. At times, it's almost inhumane to put a dog thru the dematting process. Remember when your mom used to have to brush the "tangles" out of your hair? I sure do, and I would hate to see her with a brush/comb in her hand [sm=eek.gif]
Puppies, especially, can become very fearful with their first experience and should be brought to the groomers as soon as they have had all their shots in order to get them "used" to the groomer, smells, sounds, and handling. I use treats (if it's ok with the client) when I'm working with "hard to groom", fearful, or first-time dogs and puppies. I recommend using a reward if they behave for brushing/grooming at home as well.
 
I would still get the spray conditioners that you can leave in to make daily brushing easier on your pup! They will learn that brushing is not that bad and they get treats at the same time.

I was also going to suggest shaving but I wasn't sure how that would be accepted.  I can suggest some really great spray/leave in conditioners for later if you'd like.  I've tried more styling products for Willow. . .

Lori, I would love to know what type of products that you use.  I have tried so many different things but everything just seems cheap and doesn't really work. 
 
Thanks!

And, when she's short, still brush her every day. Reward the heck out of her for getting even a stroke or two without a struggle. You'll be able to get a lot of work done, without worrying about tangles.

And, we need pictures[] Always need puppy pictures. It's an addiction.

I have nothing to add besides definitely agreeing with using leave in conditioner, maybe cutting out the bad mats instead of trying to comb them out and rewarding for letting you brush/comb her.  Hopefully, she'll associate all of this with 'oh boy it's treat time!' and won't be too afraid of the groomer.  Oh and I also agree with photos needed []

Her appt is tomorrow.  I spoke with the groomer and he is going to shave her body and keep her hair on her face longer.  She only has the mats on the back of her legs and up her thighs.  And now know that I have to brush her every day!!!!
Poor little thing.  I will post pics after her hair cut.  I have been trying to get some good ones of her and Duke but the two of them can never sit still for the camera!!! 
 
Thank you for all of the advice!

If you are not able to do a compleat brushing in one sitting. (doing a little bit at a time keeping it positive getting them used to it ect). Make sure to do a different "bit" each time. A commom mistake is to start in the same spot and then only get so far leaving certain areas rarley brushed.
Not that this was what you did just a mistake I saw alot of clients make. Good luck

ORIGINAL: lilyrules

If you are not able to do a compleat brushing in one sitting. (doing a little bit at a time keeping it positive getting them used to it ect). Make sure to do a different "bit" each time. A commom mistake is to start in the same spot and then only get so far leaving certain areas rarley brushed.
Not that this was what you did just a mistake I saw alot of clients make. Good luck

 
I think that is something I have to work on.  Daisy doesn't like being brushed so I probably never get down to the back of her legs.
 
Thank you for the advice!

Good luck Daisy at the Beauty Shop. We'll love you even if you're  naked! Remember it's only hair. It will grow back. Remember Caprice, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" Keep on Brushing!

I haven't seen anybody mention cornstarch. Rubbing cornstarch into a matt is sometimes very effective in getting the hair to loosen up. It works great on cat fur, and several of my clients use it for matts on their poodles as well. I,  like a lot of groomers, do not like to put a dog through the agony of being brushed out. It's hair, it will grow back! and the dogs like me and enjoy coming to get groomed.