25/10/2021
(Text copied from another group, but it hits the nail on the head! Photo of part of a matted pelt shaved from a dog last week. No dogs coat should ever be allowed get like this, where it has to be shaved off like Sheering a sheep! It is not "just their coat type", it is a result of not providing the necessary care for high maintenance coat types)
The dreaded SHAVE DOWN!
Information on the matted coat.
You got busy with life and put brushing on the back burner. You probably didn’t know just how detrimental of a choice that was. Your best friend looks a little rough but is still cute as ever. What you don’t realize is while your unbrushed dog is running around and playing they are also experiencing pain and discomfort. That little tangle has turned into a mat. That mat has turned into many mats. That coat has turned into a pelt.
You sigh. Ok, not a big deal right? Just have to shave it off. It is a big deal though. Your only consequence is not just a naked dog.
1. Before mats are removed they are constructing proper blood flow, pulling painfully on the skin, harboring bacteria.
2. Your groomer does not get to decide to keep the coat, how long the coat gets to be. The matting makes this choice for everyone.
3. The process of removing mats is HARD for everyone involved. Maybe they can be brushed out... gently tugged over and over and over and over again, damaging the hair and skin. Maybe the mat can be cut out... risky. Maybe you get away with a great coat that’s riddled with little bald spots from shaving. Or you have waited far to long to take care of this and your best friend needs a shave down.
4. During a shave down the pelted coat is pulled from the skin and shaved. The clippers do not just go through this. It takes HUNDREDS of risky, painful tugs on your dog.
5. As groomers are freeing your dog from their hair prison they are apologizing to your best friend. They feel for them. We go through phases of sadness and anger.
6. Perfectly behaved sweetheart dogs become agitated, untrusting, even aggressive. Understandably so.
The best prevention is to brush your dog! Brush them often. Brushing your dog is a wonderful way to show love, affection, care and to bond, and is your responsibility to your dogs health. Don’t let it get away from you. Take care of mats immediately.
