How to Detangle Your Dog Without Pain (Step-by-Step Guide)
If brushing your Oodle feels like a wrestling match, you're not alone. Curly and wavy coats are gorgeous, but they tangle easily, and it's usually the knots you can't see that cause the trouble. This is the routine we use with Milo & Bailey every week, based on advice from Australian vets, animal welfare experts and grooming specialists.
THE QUICK VERSION
- Brush curly coats every day or two. Little and often is kindest.
- Work in layers from the skin out (line brushing), not just over the top.
- Use a light touch. Never press the slicker pins into the skin.
- Found a knot? Hold the hair at the base and tease it apart from the outside in.
- Check with a comb. If it glides to the skin, you're done.
- Mat close to the skin? Don't reach for the scissors. See your groomer or vet.
Why Oodle coats tangle so easily
Cavoodles, Groodles, Labradoodles, Spoodles and other curly or wavy-coated dogs have coats that trap loose fur, dirt and moisture. Left alone, those little knots tighten into mats, usually in friction spots like behind the ears, under the collar, in the armpits and on the legs. Matting isn't just a looks thing either. The RSPCA warns it can cause discomfort, pain, restricted movement and infections.
The good news? With the right tools and one simple technique, brushing can be quick, thorough and comfortable for your pup.
What you'll need
Plus: a few small treats (or a lick mat) and, for stubborn knots, a dog-safe detangling spray, used on a dry coat.
Line brushing, step by step
Line brushing is the technique professional groomers use on curly coats. Instead of brushing over the top (which only smooths the surface), you work through the coat in layers, so every bit gets brushed right down to the skin.
Part the coat
Start low, on the legs and belly, and work your way up. Use your hand or comb to part the fur in a horizontal line, and hold the fur above it out of the way.
Brush below the line, from the skin out
Brush the section below your part, starting at the skin and brushing outward. Use short, light strokes with a gentle "pat and pull" motion, so the pins glide through the coat without digging into the skin. If you hit a tangle, don't force it. Hold the hair at the base, close to the skin, so you're not pulling on your pup, and gently work the knot apart from its outer edge inward.
Move the part up and repeat
Move your part up a little, let down the next small section and brush it the same way. Thicker coats need smaller sections.
Check with the comb
Run the comb through from the skin to the tips. If it glides through, that section is done. If it catches, go back with the brush.
Work around the whole dog
Legs and belly, then body, chest and neck. Pay extra attention to the spots where knots love to hide: behind the ears, under the collar and in the armpits. Save the ears and face for last, when your pup is relaxed, and go extra gently.
How often should you brush?
For curly and long coats, aim to brush every day or two. The RSPCA says daily brushing is ideal for long-haired dogs. A quick five-minute brush most days is far easier (and kinder) than a big detangling session once a week.
Brushing and bath time
- Brush before the bath, and again once fully dry. Knots tighten when they get wet, so always detangle on a dry coat first. A final brush-out after drying stops new knots forming.
- Dry right through to the skin, and dry the ears too. A coat left damp is more likely to tangle and can lead to skin irritation, and moisture left in floppy ears can contribute to ear infections.
- How often to bathe: most Oodles do best with a bath every 2–4 weeks. Regular washing is only kind to skin with a gentle, pH-balanced, sulphate-free shampoo that won't strip the coat’s natural oils, which is exactly why we made ours that way. If your dog's skin ever looks dry or itchy, space baths out and check in with your vet.
- Always use a dog-specific shampoo. Dogs' skin has a different pH to ours, so human and baby shampoos aren't suitable.
Making brushing their favourite thing
- Start young. Introduce puppies to gentle brushing early, before they actually need it.
- Keep it short and finish on a happy note, before they get fidgety.
- Pair it with something good: treats, a lick mat or lots of praise.
- Same time, same spot. A routine helps them relax because they know what's coming.
When to call in a professional
If you find a tight, felted mat close to the skin, please don't try to cut it out. It's very easy to cut your dog's skin by accident. A professional groomer (or your vet) can remove it safely. See your vet if you notice red or broken skin, a bad smell, or your dog seems sore when touched.
Sources: RSPCA Pet Insurance: How to groom your dog · RSPCA WA: Matted dog warning · Elanco: Seven tips for grooming your dog at home · Petstock: Dog washing and grooming tips · RSPCA NSW: Caring for dogs. This guide is general information only. For skin or health concerns, please speak to your vet.