In most cases, yes. It is very hard to de-mat a dog. It takes a lot of time and it is painful for the dog. It can also severely thin out a dog’s hair, making it look bad. De-matting is not possible for dogs with extreme matting. Matting can be caused by lack of brushing and/or the type of coat. When a dog is matted, it cannot be given a bath or it will worsen. The water will only tighten up the mats causing more discomfort for the dog. If the matting ever gets too severe, it is possible to tear the dog’s skin. The best thing for almost all dogs when they are matted is to shave them and start over. It may not be the best looking haircut… but hair will grow back.