How often your dog actually needs brushing

Nearly every matted dog that comes through our door belongs to someone who brushes regularly. The frequency usually isn’t the problem. The technique is.

Find your dog’s coat type first

Curly and wool coats like poodles and doodles need brushing to the skin every day. Long silky coats need it every day or two. Double coats like shepherds and huskies need two or three sessions a week, and daily when they blow coat.

Line brushing: the technique that works

Push the coat up with your free hand so a parting of skin shows, brush only the hair below it, then drop half an inch and repeat. Finish with a metal comb. If the comb won’t pass to the skin, that section isn’t done.

Where mats start

Behind the ears, the armpits, under the harness, the tail base and between the back legs. If you only have five minutes, spend them there.