Mats and humidity
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| Yes, I found the humidity makes mats seem to pop out of nowhere, and fast! I lost that battle with Sky, but am still grooming Dancer daily to keep her mat free. Her fur is only about 2-3 inches long depending on the area, and even that is matting up with daily grooming. |
I think so...Jasper is getting so difficult to groom. I'm thinking about shaving him - or at least scissoring him down some. Just need about 3 uninterupted hours if I scissor him! lol That'll never happen.  I pull mats out of his coat daily now though - it's crazy. |
This morning I was brushing Spike and found 2 huge mats behind his ears (one on each side). I am sooooo depressed over this. He had been mat-free up until now and the stupid mats are so tight because he'd been playing in the water lately cuz it's been so hot here. I took him over to Petco to see what their groomer had to say - he said they couldn't be cut out because they're too close to the skin and the ears so it would be dangerous- so they have to SHAVE him behind his ears! *cry* My poor baby is gonna look so silly. This sucks, I was really hoping to grow his hair out completely and groom him fully on my own. I feel like a rotten mommy. |
OH YES!!!!!! I have posted almost the same thing - Maggie was never a matted dog and her coat gorgeous - until mid June - now the faster I get the knots out the faster a new one appears. Unfortunately all of my cuddle time is spent grooming and now when I call her she hesitates to see if the grooming tools are out before she will sit with me. Needless to say we are giving into the weather and taking her for a big haircut - she has not been able to enjoy swimming or much else lately with the matting being so bad - so, yes I think the humidity is playing the devil on our babies.  |
RollrXGirl wrote: :(
This morning I was brushing Spike and found 2 huge mats behind his ears (one on each side). I am sooooo depressed over this. He had been mat-free up until now and the stupid mats are so tight because he'd been playing in the water lately cuz it's been so hot here. I took him over to Petco to see what their groomer had to say - he said they couldn't be cut out because they're too close to the skin and the ears so it would be dangerous- so they have to SHAVE him behind his ears! *cry* My poor baby is gonna look so silly. This sucks, I was really hoping to grow his hair out completely and groom him fully on my own. I feel like a rotten mommy.Don't feel bad. It sounds like we're all going through it! How tight are they? For the last few days, I've been going little by little behind Clyde's ears with a dematting comb and it's broken up pretty well. It's not gone yet but maybe it could save you from having to shave them if you can loosen it up a bit. |
| This all sounds too familiar, Max also has some small mats under his ears, I've noticed he's getting harder to keep mat-free. Actually I've hardly had to do anything until now, his hair has gotten really voluminous!!
Sharon |
ButtersStotch wrote: RollrXGirl wrote: :( This morning I was brushing Spike and found 2 huge mats behind his ears (one on each side). I am sooooo depressed over this. He had been mat-free up until now and the stupid mats are so tight because he'd been playing in the water lately cuz it's been so hot here. I took him over to Petco to see what their groomer had to say - he said they couldn't be cut out because they're too close to the skin and the ears so it would be dangerous- so they have to SHAVE him behind his ears! *cry* My poor baby is gonna look so silly. This sucks, I was really hoping to grow his hair out completely and groom him fully on my own. I feel like a rotten mommy.Don't feel bad. It sounds like we're all going through it! How tight are they? For the last few days, I've been going little by little behind Clyde's ears with a dematting comb and it's broken up pretty well. It's not gone yet but maybe it could save you from having to shave them if you can loosen it up a bit. They're pretty tight but I'd really prefer to try using a dematting comb first. I think I'll go get one and see if I can save Spike from having to get shaved. Good idea! |
A shaved sheepie is a happy sheepie! 
At least for the summer. Elissa |
Pepsi's Mommy wrote: A shaved sheepie is a happy sheepie!
At least for the summer. Elissa I'm sure that's at least somewhat true but one of the reasons I bought an OES was because I loved the look of a well-groomed full-coated OES. I'm sure that at some point in Spike's life he will have to be shaved down but to have that happen at only 6 months really makes me feel like I'm not as good of a sheepdog owner as I was hoping to be. Nothing against the look of a shaved OES, it's just not for me. |
| To each his own, but living in the desert there is no way Pepsi could be in full coat for the summer. It's just way to hot for him to be running around in full coat. My German Shepherd at least knows when he's hot to go into the pool. Pepsi wants no part of it. I love them with fur and without! The groomer I brought Pepsi to for his latest haircut said she also does the same cut for two other OES that live in the area.
Then they grow out the hair for the winter Elissa |
| Hi
Yes Grooming a sheepdog can make you want to pull your own hair out. There is a product called Cowboy Magic concentrated Detangler and shine, made by Charmar Land & Cattle Co. is a great product. You can get it at the farm and ranch outlets.or www.cowboymagic.com you can put it in a mat work it a little and it will come out. If a mat is tight to the skin, if your careful you can cut it out with scissors. Put the scissors in the mat going away from the dog and snip little by little. Takes time but nicer then a clippers. Barbara |
| Thanks Barbara, I am definitely going to try Cowboy Magic. I just hope I can find it locally because I can't let these mats stay in for too long! |
| I bought a detangler from regular old PetSmart that works to loosen the mats up too. It's bright blue and called something like Fresh and Clean. I'm sore cowboy magic is much better but in case you have to send away for it, this stuff might work well for you in the meantime.
Jill |
| I love cowboy magic too, however, I found the detangler didn't really work for real mats, and it leaves them oily. |
| I agree with Elissa, there is no way Panda could be in full coat....It's kind of a nice change, a summer cut and a winter cut. The only mats that I have to deal with are the ones between her toes...And now I dont worry when we have play time in the sprinklers!! |
I've had such a busy weekend, I'm just getting a chance to catch up with my forum reading. I'm soooo relieved to know it's not just Beaureguard and me that are having these issues. I've spent so much time getting matts out of him lately. I really felt terrible on Sunday because it took so long just to get his face groomed and he really doesn't like to have it brushed. Which is really the problem...if he would be still and let me do it, it wouldn't be such an ordeal!  Anyway, I found myself thinking, for the first time, maybe it would be a good idea to have him cut down some for the summer. I understand RollrXGirl's point completely. He's only 7 1/2 months old, if I do it now am I doomed? Will I never be able to keep his coat full? After having Cooper & Caroline here in short hair, it sure is easier to take care of and I really do like both looks. AARRRRGGGHHH!! Such tough decisions!! |
| I wish I had've been able to keep up with Sky's... it would have been so nice to see her coat develop and grow from puppy to adulthood, she was almost a year when I finally shaved her though, but still totally in puppy coat. However, I couldn't, the mats got so big so fast despite me working on her all the time that zoom zoom it was. *shrug* it grows right?
I am determined to keep them both in full coat now though, Dancer is at almost 3 inches in some areas, and mats developing already, but I groom her every day. She jumps on the table on command now, I don't even have to give a command actually, she sees the brushes and combs and up she goes...lol... |
| Yes cowboy magic does leave it oily but like any product you use, it needs to be washed out. You can leave conditioner in for a while but it too has to be washed out. If a mat is too tight a person just needs to snip it out.
I found this product at the local horse/cattle/farm store, like Big R, or Quality Supply. It is in the horse section. Barbara |
Remember .......that there is a difference between a shave and a haircut you always have the option of reverting to the puppy cut to get through the summer. Maggie just turned a year and if you are already having problems with your pup at 6mnths old you may find that a haircut is the only option. I too bought my OES for the lovely coat and was proud that until 2 weeks ago she never had a knot anywhere but obviously the weather is a factor and if knots are forming the pup will be uncomfortalbe never mind the constant picking and combing they have to go through. The fact that she cant get wet because the water only tightens any mats that exists makes it hard for her to enjoy the summer with us and her little pool - - -another day and then off to the groomer for Maggie -----I surrender  |
| Don't feel bad... Their hair grows back really quickly.
I believe at a rate of an inch a month. Much faster than humans. |
| Yep, seems to be about an inch a month with Dancer, but Sky my little slowpoke has a much slower growing coat. She has maybe half an inch now. LOL I expect Maggie will have a slower growing coat too since she is Sky's littermate, however, I've been told some supplements can make it grow faster. |
| And I thought Poison Ivy was contagious. I now know that behind the ear mats are caught from OES owners who spend too much time on the forum. I been working the last 3 days on a huge mat behind Barney's right ear, and when (if) I ever get through it, I start on the left ear. I found that a good comb is helpful in breaking it up. This all developed in the last 2 weeks also. The good news is that there are no mats on his back or tail (of course maybe that's because he doesn't have a tail! ).
Let's all pull together -- PULLLLLLL. |
Having just spent the last two hours brushing, then bathing Beaureguard, I'm more inclined than ever to get his hair cut. Honestly, I don't know what's gotten into him lately, but grooming him is like trying to wrestle an alligator!  He wiggles around like a worm in hot ashes trying to mouth me. Poor fellow. I know he gets tired and impatient with me trying to get those mats out. It's no fun for him, I'm sure.
So, baring any unforeseen de-matting miracles, when we return from picking up Genevieve on Thursday, I'm going to make him an appointment for a hair cut.
I think we'll both be happier! And like you've all said, it grows! We'll just start over. |
| I have been keeping Samantha's fur short during the summer months. She has been getting mattes on her ears.....she is due for a little trim around the head and backside. We can't get her into to pool, but she doesn't mind getting splashed. The humidity here (Florida) has been around 95...totally unbearable. Plus, we have had an outbreak of red tide and the smell is gross. |
I also have a dematting rake that I use every other day (or try to  ). It is made by Bamboo and Sam doesn't mind so much. |
| Sandy sheepie,
What is red tide? |
| Our area has been hit hard by Red Tide, difficult
on the folks who make their living as shell fishermen. Here's a good article from Mass DPH- http://www.mass.gov/dph/fpp/redtide.htm |
Thanks for answering Zahra. I will read your link when I get a "few moments"! The red tide bloom this time managed to kill bottom feeders....sea snakes, flounder, catfish and there was a horseshoe crab under our dock. The red tide causes problems for people with respiratory problems, it is hard to breathe and you can "feel" it in your throat. The news program just said that it is the worse algae bloom in 30 years. Scientists really don't know what is causing the bloom. All I know that dead fish stink!!  |
| For those of you looking for Cowboy Magic, try to locate a local tack or horse supply store. Almost all of them carry it.
Also, I LOVE Eqyss products (www.eqyss.com ) Again, most horse stores carry them. They smell fantastic and don't cause itchiness or build-up. Bentley had trouble with a food allergy a long time ago and chewed the hair off his legs. I used their MegaTek to regrow the hair and it worked great. They also sell grooming sprays, detanglers, shampoo/conditioner. I have all their stuff and highly recommend it. |
| Beau had one huge mat underneath is chin!!! I took him to Petco and had them shave underneath his chin. You really can't tell unless your looking for it.
I agree, I think the weather were having lately is contributing to the all of a sudden mats.
Now, if I could only keep is hair out of his eyes!  |
| One thing I will say, all these mats are making me very responsible about daily grooming-- even Clyde is getting used to it. I happy to say that his body is mat free but those ears, wow, what a mess. I've cleaned them up a bit but I don't think there's any getting through them all the way. I think some serious trimming is going to be order and I hope he doesn't look ridiculous when I'm done.
If you don't see pictures of Clyde for awhile, you'll know why. |
| Good Luck, ButtersStotch! I hope you beat the mats!! |
| Hey Jill, just cut out the mats behind Clyde's ears and feather in the length of his ears to blend. If you flip the ear up, right where the cartilidge sticks out the most you can almost shave a small "hole". It looks like that's what they had done to Toby and you can't even tell. It actually makes his ears fit his head a little better. If I can get the little weasel to lay still I'll take a pic to show you. |
| Actually, that was exactly my plan. If you can get a picture, that would help me a lot. His ears are so fluffy I think that even thinned out, as long as I blend, it shouldn't be too noticable. My only worry is that the hair growing from the cartilage has already matted with the front stuff pretty bad. I conked out myself when I got home yesterday so I won't be tackling it until late tonight or Sunday since Jil and I are going to get Bentley tomorrow. |
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