How to Brush a Tangled, Long-Haired Dog

A long-haired dog requires daily brushing to keep its coat looking and feeling lustrous and smooth. If you have neglected your dog's coat or have rescued a dog with a tangled, dirty coat, thoroughly brush the dog to remove any mats and debris. An unkempt coat can cause the dog discomfort from the mats and tangles in its fur; it also can provide a good hiding place for pests such as fleas and ticks. With a longer grooming session, you can get your dog's long coat looking its best.

Things You'll Need

  • Spray-on detangling conditioner
  • Mat rake
  • Dog comb
  • Electric clipper
  • Slicker brush
  • Bristle brush
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Instructions

    • 1

      Spray your dog with a detangling, conditioning spray to make brushing out any mats and tangles easier. The conditioner will also give the coat a lustrous look. Rub the conditioner into the coat with your fingers.

    • 2

      Brush the dog's coat very slowly with a mat rake to tease out any mats and comb through any tangles. The mat rake will comfortably break up any thick tangles on the coat. Brush carefully along the grain of the fur so you do not pull out any clumps of hair. Divide large mats into sections and brush them out one section at a time.

    • 3

      Remove mats that you cannot brush through without harming your dog by using an electric clipper to cut them out of the fur. Take a comb and wedge it between the skin and the mat; clip the fur along the line of the comb so you do not touch your dog's skin.

    • 4

      Brush the dog's fur with a slicker brush after removing any mats or tangles. The slicker brush will remove any remaining debris and help you find any remaining matted fur.

    • 5

      Brush the untangled, mat-free coat with a bristle brush to smooth it out and distribute the dog's natural skin oils throughout the coat. If desired, spray a small amount of conditioning detangler on the coat again during this process to add more softness and sheen.