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Hello, i'm a first time chow owner (well accually she is a chow mix) and i can't seem to get and keep the matts out of her fur (especially around her rump and chest) it doesn't help that she hates being brushed, any suggestions?

Hi , welcome , this site is awesome. I'm sure you will get some great answers. Mine are patience (especially getting them to lay on their side to work). Took almost a year of persistence and loads of patience to get my girl to lay on her side while I brush her at least twice a week , most of the time more. She now goes to sleep as I do it. Never thought she would. I also use a spray conditioner that helps the mats come out easier. There are some special combs you can get to. My girl likes a normal rounded brush for beginning like a people type rubber toothed brush then I switch to her metal staight comb for getting out mats, then I use a rake if she needs it to get the fuzzy fur underneath. I hope all this helps some.
Rob

yea thanks i will try that, i guess it isn't that she dis-likes the brush as much as she thinks it's a toy and trying to chew on it while i'm trying to brush her

I use an afro comb with teeth about 1/4 inch apart and 2 inches long. The mats came right out when I first rescued Sheena 3 years ago. I use a rake for the undercoat. Sometimes I use a small tooth comb as well for her legs, paws and face. Sheena has never had a matted hair since.

No baths for her ever in 3 years! Hates water! I just wet a towel place it over her body and rub, rub, rub, whenever she gets dusty. She loves rolling in dirt. Even though she's an indoor chow.

Now my Troy he's like your chow! The brush or anything for that matter is a toy!

Welcome to the site and let us know about your chow-grooming fun!

Start now and keep at it!! Since your puppy is still very young, make it your quality time together. I choose to do most of my grooming at night in the bedroom. This way there are less distractions and they're ready to go to sleep. Also, always try to end it on a good note. If she behaves for most of it, give her a small treat and praise her for being so good. She'll learn that grooming isn't so bad afterall. A 4-month old doesn't have a lot of patience so keep that in mind too.

I use a rake most of the time. I wasted my money and bought a furminator...I didn't like it. I also use some dog detangler every so often. It helps get through some of the rough spots and also helps moisturize their coats.

I gave up with getting my girl to lie on her side. So wasn't happening I now put her leash on & hook it up so she stands whilst I do her pants & sides. When she was little that was enough to stop her attacking the brush & let her know in a very calm way that bruching was going to happen She's sit for her mane & head area. These days she just lays of her tummy & snoozes for most of the grooming.

something must be wrong with my chow ..

he does not get mats.. sometines some tiny ones behingd his ears i tear them apart with my fingers.. he has a very dense coat , got TOOOO MUCH dead undercoat ,, but not matted.. he needs a complete work over using the Line Combing method.. , i would have to hire a junior handler to have it done proper...

, now the rescue girl gets mats .. wide tooth combs , rakes,, greyhounf combs ,, mat breaking razor things.. the FINAL SOLUTION is sissors... be careful not too cut too close to the skin,, sissors can hurt..
VBR
[verybest regards]
michael

If the matts are close to the skin, shave them out! Matts tend to pull skin into them and cutting them with scissors can cut the skin. If you do use scissors, put a comb behind the matt to protect the skin.

I am a groomer, PM if you have more questions---that goes for anyone!

Our "Baby" was beaten with a brush on a regular basis during her first year, so we've always had a challenge getting her groomed at home. She's been fine for groomers- actually goes into full shock and trembles the entire time and they all love her to death...but at home she would snap and bite and attack. Now she tolerates me using a regular plastic comb and brush, although I do still sometimes get what I call the "oogy" face (teeth bared and growls).

She hates baths, and won't got swimming in water past her ankles, but if she has "doo doo" on her rump, she will almost come get us to wash her off in the bathtub - as long as it's HER idea of course.

It's always been about patience and timing with her. She's MUCH better than before, and she gets a treat afterwards and a very excited/happy mom when she does let us groom her!

Ginger is only three monthes old so she is also at the chewing stage where everything belongs in her mouth. I have been brushing her daily to get her used to it just a few minutes at a time. I hold a kong toy in the one hand and use the other hand to brush. She happens to love the kongs and that's the only time she gets to chew on them so it works for us.

Yes, Holden loved chewing on the brush and comb when he was a baby. Now he loves to be brushed! I use two different types of combs for mats which he usually only gets behind his ears. The hair on his butt is usually coarse because I keep it trimmed for sanitary reasons so I'll use a brush or comb on it depending on how coarse it is.

I just wanted to say that a spray on conditioner that you leave on also helps. I use one w/ natural ingredients.

What Ginger Snap said about distraction, that's the only way I can brush Buddha ( I discovered this the other day LOL). I had Jake play with him while I brushed him, he hardly noticed (until I got to his butt, which always seems to be really knotted, and then he just sat down ) .