Hey Woofa’s,

I seem to be on a bit of a tangent lately!

Knotty dogs aren’t happy dogs!

The last thing a Dog Groomer wants to do is shave down a dog in winter!

However, sometimes it’s kinder to do so because if you keep those knots on your dog, it pinches the skin causing bruises!

Imagine going about your day every day for 6-8 months WITHOUT ever brushing your hair!!

As much as we like to think our dogs like to be dirty and knotty it’s not the case!

Knots are uncomfortable on your dog, and I’m telling YOU this because THEY can’t!

Dogs are very vigilant, they will put up with so much before you’re even aware that something is going on with them.

My vet said humans will start whinging at 10% pain whereas dogs will wait until it’s at 98% pain!!

So, just because YOUR DOG isn’t showing any signs of being in pain doesn’t mean they’re not.

WHY DO DOGS GETTING KNOTTY?

Quite simply it’s because owners don’t brush them, at all or enough, or correctly!!!

If I received a dollar for each time I heard the following excuses- I’d be a rich gal!

1. My dog won’t let me brush it;
2. My child doesn’t brush the dog;
3. It’s my kids dog;
4. I do brush the dog (but it’s a matted mess);
5. We only went away for the weekend and the dog ended up this way;
6. The dog got out and ended up this way.

You get the idea.

Groomers are like Santa Claus in that we know who’s brushing their dog and who’s not brushing their dog lol

SOME ACTIONS THAT CAUSE KNOTS IN YOUR DOG!

1. In winter (or any time of year), some dogs wear jackets and the jacket rubs against the dogs hair as it moves and if it’s not brushed, knots occur.  If those knots are ignored they turn into matting.
2. Throughout the year, dogs shed hair.  It’s old hair that comes away from the coat, now if it’s not brushed out (a de-shed) then that dead hair sits on the coat and causes knots.
3. If a dog scratches behind it’s ear, if not brushed, this can cause knots.
4. How you pet your dog can cause knots, because you’re rubbing the hair back and forth generally in the one spot, if it’s not brushed – knots occur.
5. Not brushing your dog before and after their bath and drying time can cause knots.
6. If your dog is a roller, loves to roll around in the grass or on the carpet or anywhere, if not brushed, this can cause knots.

There are many reasons why your dog’s hair knots up, as I said above, imagine not brushing your hair for 6-12 months and expecting it to be fine.

HOW DO I KEEP MY DOG KNOT FREE FOR WINTER?

I guess it’s not just for winter time, we want to keep our long haired dogs knot free ALL THE TIME!

The obvious answer is TO BRUSH YOUR DOG EVERY DAY!

Yes and I mean everyday, take 5-10mins everyday to brush your dog and you won’t have knots.

However, you want to brush them all over and with the right brush for your dog’s hair type.

Lots of dogs come in for grooming and they still have knots down their legs, under their arms, around their bottom area and toilet areas, and feet.

Some  just brush their dog down the back and think that’s enough.

Everywhere there is hair, it needs brushing.

The other option is, if YOU don’t want to do it, BOOK IN REGULARLY WITH A TRUSTED DOG GROOMER!

How often you see your groomer will depend on the amount of brushing you’re willing to do at home.

Even if you book in once a month, you’re still going to need to keep up with some brushing at home.

And it’s as simple as that, you have to commit to brushing your dog, to keep it knot free.

IN THE COMMENTS BELOW – BILLY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW – HOW OFTEN YOU’RE BRUSHING YOUR DOG?

Cheers