How to Groom Your Toy Poodle When Matted

A toy poodle being groomed at a dog show.

Your dog's matted hair may seem insignificant, but if not taken care of, a mass of tangled locks can be a real health risk for your pet. Toy poodles are particularly prone to matted hair because, unlike most dog breeds, poodles have a single-layer coat of curly hair which sheds only minimally. This type of coat should be brushed daily to avoid the dead hair and minor tangles that lead to massive matting. But, if despite your best efforts, matting does occur, there are steps to get rid of the matting and get your pet's grooming back on track.

Things You'll Need

• Dog conditioner
• Dog shampoo
• Tarp or old sheet
• Short leash
• Large fine bristle brush
• Small comb
• Safety tip grooming shears

Instructions

1. 

   A conditioner bath helps soften the matted hair.

   Wash, condition and dry your toy poodle prior to starting the process of grooming. Try to untangle minor knots while working conditioner through the dog's hair, but do not try to remove any hair that has matted down to the surface of the skin. Spray the dog with untangle spray according to the instructions on the package.

2. Find a comfortable location on the floor next to an object, like a heavy wooden table leg, that your toy poodle will not be able to move once it is secured to it. This location will serve as your work space. Remove all other clutter and distractions, such as other animals or children, from the area.

3. Organize your work station. Lay out a tarp or old sheet to assure an easily cleanable work area. Place your bristle brush, electric hair clippers, and grooming shears where they will be easy for you to access, but out of reach of your curious pet.

4. 

   The position of this leash allows the groomer to work while having control over the dog.

   Use the leash to secure your pet in place. To prevent chaos and accidents, it should not be able to move out of your arm's range. Pet the dog to calm it down while working with your fingers to unknot small tangles at the outermost layer of the hair.

5. 

   Petting and talking sweetly to your dog will make the grooming process easier for you both.

   Use the small comb to gently tease out and loosen knots and upper surfaces of matted area you were not able to unravel with just your fingers. Continue to assure the dog is calm by petting it and speaking to it in a comforting voice.

6. Use the large fine bristle brush to gently work out the matted areas you were able to loosen. Do not brush too quickly, or tug at matted areas. According to Dog Health Guide, "brush strokes should be short, never pull and brush in short strokes against the direction or lay of the hair."

7. Use the safety tip scissors to cautiously cut beneath the remaining matted patches to remove the clumps of hair you were not able to detangle. Sometimes cutting part of a matted area away will loosen up an area around it, so keep vigilant for loosening areas if you want to save as much of your pet's coat as possible.

8. 

   You and your dog will both be much happier with its new unmatted do.

   Wash, condition and dry your pet a final time to remove all the hair clippings. Brush through once more after the clean hair once it has dried.

Tips & Warnings

• The process of grooming a matted toy poodle is difficult and time-consuming. To prevent having to repeat this process, brush your toy poodle's coat daily and give it a bath with shampoo and conditioner once a month. Also, remember to pluck your dog's ears, clean its teeth and clip its nails.

• Even with safety tips, scissors can cut dog's skin.

• If the skin under the matted hair looks irritated, seek the advice of a veterinarian.

References

• The Dog Health Guide: Dog Hair

Resources

• "Poodle Clipping and Grooming: The International Reference"; Shirlee Kalstone; 2000