You will only make your dog s skin hypersensitive. Don t brush hard on patches of fur that haven t loosened up yet either. You may find that your dog has a very definite molting pattern, with the fur first loosening up around the legs and thighs. Work on these areas first, and wait for the shedding to spread. As the under-fur begins to lift, either pluck or twist it out with a steel comb.
Some dogs have long guard hairs over the under-fur that tangle very easily with the fur beneath it.
Such tangles are best loosened with your fingers or a steel comb. If tangles are very matted, you will need scissors to trim them out. Even though soaking a dog s coat will help to loosen the under-fur, the coat is more likely to tangle when it is wet. If your dog s coat is in the process of shedding, do not bathe the dog before grooming with a brush. Dr. Michael W. Fox , born in England, obtained his veterinary degree from the Royal Veterinary College, University of London, and moved to the US in 1962, subsequently earning his PhD and Doctor of Science.