Hi Everyone, I just took my dogs to Fort Robinson for the weekend - they swam alot in the lakes and had a good old time. My One year old long hair has been itching and digging like crazy since we;ve been back. Mostly on his back end area. Under his back legs in the stomach area and on the back of his legs his hair has just matted like crazy and he has little knots all around. I tried to look and dig through the hair to see whats up and he started growling at me. I did notice before I stopped that it looks like he has a red raw spot by his testicles and by his tail either where hes been licking or maybe its irritated from the hair matting or something but I'm guessing its sore and he doesnt want me messing with it. I really need to get in there and cut some of the matted hair out so I can see whats going on. I guess my question is, do I muzzle him and put a leash and collar on and tie him so I can fight him to get in there or do you think it might be easier for me to take him to the vets and let them do it? They will probably have to sedate him, which I was going to get hip xrays done anyway to see how they are doing, maybe get it done all at once? Just trying to pick my battles and not sure if this is a winning one for me. He will let me brush him while hes standing up but he wont let me lay him down and get to his back end where the problem is. Suggestions?

Will he let you touch his back end when he is standing?

Yes, I can brush his legs and back but I need to get into the hair that is more inside and between his legs and thats when he doesnt like it. I got the scissors out and tried to cut some of the outside hair on the back of his legs but he kept getting up (he is scared of the nail trimmer so maybe he associates scissors with that?)I just wish I could get him to roll over and relax so I could cut some of that hair away and see whats up with the red areas.

Kathy, please be very careful using scissors to cut matted hair.

It is very easy to end up with a laceration that requires stitches and it happens often, no matter how careful you are and how quietly the animal behaves.

It's for this reason that most vets and groomers use clippers to remove tangles.

Will he let you run your hand along the inside of his legs and between them, standing?

Just trying to figure out if this is tenderness in that area, or if he has an issue laying down while you do it.

I have some cowboy magic and mane & tail spray- maybe I could use that on the mats on the back of his legs to loosen those up but that still wont help me with his letting me check out his under belly area/testicles.

 Quote: kathy west

Yes, I can brush his legs and back but I need to get into the hair that is more inside and between his legs and thats when he doesnt like it. I got the scissors out and tried to cut some of the outside hair on the back of his legs but he kept getting up (he is scared of the nail trimmer so maybe he associates scissors with that?)I just wish I could get him to roll over and relax so I could cut some of that hair away and see whats up with the red areas.

Is he very tired and relaxed when you start? Do you go really slowly, starting with little massages of areas he like to have handled and only quick light touches of the "bad" parts? This works for me when I have a new dog here, and I make a point of accepting that it might take more than one session to get where I want to go.

connie, No I havent but hes never growled at me before and I guess I'm kinda panicked alittle because I seen raw spots and he is just digging and itching like crazy so I want to beable to help him get some relief right away. I'm almost wondering if he had a allergic reaction to the frontline I put on them for ticks on last thursday? But anyway, tonight when I get home I will play with him and take him for a long walk and put the other dogs up and see what I can do. So if he starts panicking or growling do I stop and just leave it at that or do I tell him No, etc.? Maybe I should invest in a good set of clippers and just try to keep that hair short under there?

Good thinking Alyssa, yes he will let me put my hands on him and scratch him on his belly and on the inside of his legs when hes standing up and I check his testicles once in awhile that way. That is also how I brush him standing up but I have also brushed him when hes laying down but I guess I've never really tried lifting his leg and getting under his belly before when hes laying down.

If you know you aren't hurting him, I would tell him no when he growls, ie, you aren't even touching the spot that is likely sore.

Be careful when lifting his leg, though. Some dogs can only "spread" their hind legs so far, and it can hurt.