Our mission is to help save dogs and cats’ lives through our educational content. To support our efforts, this page may contain affiliate links. We earn a commission for qualifying purchases – at no cost to you.
A note for our readers: If you have an urgent question and are unable to ask your veterinarian, you can use the Ask a Vet service that will give you access to a veterinarian for 7 days for $1.
As Preventive Vets dog behavior expert and lead trainer at Pupstanding Academy, Cathy focuses on helping humans and their pets build a strong relationship based on trust, clear communication, and the use of positive reinforcement and force-free methods. With over 13 years of experience, she has had the opportunity to work with hundreds of dogs on a wide variety of training and behavior issues. Beyond her one-on-one consultations through Pupstanding Academy, she also teaches group dog training classes at Seattle Humane. Her specialties include dog aggression, resource guarding, separation anxiety, and puppy socialization.
Cathy is certified through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers, holding both the CPDT-KA and CBCC-KA designations. Cathy is a Fear Free Certified Certified Professional, a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, the Pet Professional Guild, and the Dog Writers Association of America.
When shes not geeking out about dogs, you can find her reading, hiking with her two Cardigan Welsh Corgis, or paddleboarding.
Start With the Head
It’s best to start with the dog’s head. Take your dog’s chin in your hand to hold it steady. Once your dog is still, place the clippers with the comb attachment flat against the dog’s skin to prevent injury then proceed by carefully shaving away the hair. Use this same technique throughout the shaving process and work slowly.
Be very careful when you’re shaving your dog’s face, especially around the eyes and ears. Always stay about an inch away from the eyes. Once you have the face shaved, work your way to the underarms and then under the tail area.
Preparing to Shave Your Matted Dog
You need to gather a few necessary tools like a slicker dog brush, comb, and electric clippers. Look for multi-speed clippers to ensure you’ll have enough power to get through the thickest of hair. Once you have a brush, dog comb, and multi-speed dog clippers, you’re good to go.
The first thing you need to do is to exercise your dog before you start brushing him, so he’s relaxed and calm while being groomed. Take your four-legged friend for a brisk walk or play a rousing game of fetch for a few minutes. Once your dog has exercised, use your slicker brush to remove tangles and knots on your dog’s coat. This will help prepare the hair for shaving and make the whole process quicker and smoother.
The MOST Matted DOG EVER | Came Off In ONE PIECE
Our mission is to help save dogs and cats’ lives through our educational content. To support our efforts, this page may contain affiliate links. We earn a commission for qualifying purchases – at no cost to you.
As Preventive Vets dog behavior expert and lead trainer at Pupstanding Academy, Cathy focuses on helping humans and their pets build a strong relationship based on trust, clear communication, and the use of positive reinforcement and force-free methods. With over 13 years of experience, she has had the opportunity to work with hundreds of dogs on a wide variety of training and behavior issues. Beyond her one-on-one consultations through Pupstanding Academy, she also teaches group dog training classes at Seattle Humane. Her specialties include dog aggression, resource guarding, separation anxiety, and puppy socialization.
Cathy is certified through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers, holding both the CPDT-KA and CBCC-KA designations. Cathy is a Fear Free Certified Certified Professional, a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, the Pet Professional Guild, and the Dog Writers Association of America.
When shes not geeking out about dogs, you can find her reading, hiking with her two Cardigan Welsh Corgis, or paddleboarding.
A note for our readers: If you have an urgent question and are unable to ask your veterinarian, you can use the Ask a Vet service that will give you access to a veterinarian for 7 days for $1.