You can remove small dog mats and tidy hair around the eyes at home by brushing down to the skin, using clippers on mats near the ear, and trimming the face carefully with sharp straight scissors. You will need a brush, comb, clippers with a very sharp blade, sharp straight scissors, and a wet cotton ball with warm water. This guide breaks down Jen’s grooming demonstration from Jim’s Dog Wash Boronia and shows when it is safer to call Jim’s Dog Wash for help.
Watch Jen remove dog mats and trim around Indy’s eyes above, or keep reading for the step-by-step breakdown.
What Tools Do You Need To Remove Dog Mats Safely?
For this grooming job, you do not need a full salon setup. Jen keeps it simple.
You will need:
- A dog brush
- A comb
- Clippers with a very sharp blade
- A straight pair of sharp scissors
- A wet cotton ball
- Warm water
Do not use dull scissors or clunky kitchen scissors around your dog’s face. They are harder to control and, as Jen says, “They will not work.”
For professional mobile grooming support, you can also book a service through Jim’s Dog Wash or learn more about mobile dog grooming.
How To Remove Dog Mats And Brush High-Risk Areas
Step 1: Brush The Whole Dog Down To The Skin
Start by brushing all over your dog’s coat. Do not just skim the top layer.
Jen’s advice is clear: “You want to get right down to that skin.” Move the hair back if you need to, then brush through the coat properly.
This matters because some coats, especially curly coats, can mat from the skin out. By the time you see the mat on the outside, it may already be tight underneath.
Step 2: Focus On The Tail And Under The Tail
The first high-risk area is the tail.
Brush the top of the tail, down the tail, and underneath the tail. Jen says you can brush “nice and hard” and get right down to the skin without hurting your dog.
This area is easy to miss because owners often focus on the back and sides first. Tail mats can start small, then spread if they are left alone.
Step 3: Brush Under The Armpits
Lift your dog’s front leg gently and brush under the armpit.
If your brush cannot fit properly, use your comb. Jen shows this by lifting the leg and working the comb underneath the armpit, then down the leg.
This is one of the most common hidden matting spots. It also gets movement and friction, so knots can build up quickly.
Step 4: Comb Behind The Ears
Behind the ears is another area that mats easily.
Jen recommends using the comb here because it is a smaller space. If you feel any knots, gently work them out instead of pulling hard.
Do not rush this area. The skin around the ears can be sensitive, and mats close to the ear can become risky to remove at home.
Step 5: Brush Long Ears From Top To Bottom
Long-eared dogs need extra attention.
Jen mentions Spaniels as an example, because many have long ears that can dip into the water bowl when they drink. If the ears are not dried and brushed, matting can form on the ends.
Start at the top of the ear and brush all the way down. Then flip the ear over the top of the dog’s head and brush underneath.
Step 6: Check The Belly And Chest
The belly and chest are easy to forget because you may not see the matting straight away.
Jen points out that the chest is especially important on curly-coated dogs. These breeds can mat from the skin out, so the coat may look fine on top while the problem is sitting underneath.
Use your brush or comb and make sure you are getting right down to the skin.
Step 7: Remove Small Ear Mats With Clippers
If your dog already has a small mat on the ear, separate the good hair first.
Comb or brush the good hair back until you can clearly see the matted section. Keep the hair that is not knotted, because it can fall back over the ear after the mat is removed.
Do not use scissors on mats close to the skin or ear leather. Jen warns that this is when you are likely to cut your dog.
Use clippers with a very sharp blade. Place your hand flat underneath the ear so you have something to press against. Then start from behind or underneath the mat and run the clippers up until the mat comes away.
Once the mat is gone, brush the good hair back down over the ear. The result should look tidy, and the removed section should not be obvious.
Step 8: Secure Your Dog Before Trimming Around The Eyes
Before trimming around the face, secure your dog safely.
Hold under the chin, not too tight, but firmly enough that you have control. The aim is to stop the head moving while the scissors are near the eyes.
If your dog will not stay still, stop and call a groomer. A moving dog and sharp scissors near the face is not worth the risk.
Step 9: Trim Overgrown Eye Hair On An Angle
Use a straight pair of sharp scissors.
Find the hair you want to remove. Do not come straight into the eye area, because this can scare your dog. Jen’s technique is to go on the angle and cut with the tips.
Push down until you find where the nose is, then “cut and flick.” This clears the hair away from the eye without pushing the scissors towards the eye.
Use the tips again to clean up any hair that is left.
Step 10: Repeat On The Other Side
For the other side, push the hair back and find the hair you want to cut.
If you are right-handed, you may find it easier to cut down instead of up. Jen shows this option during the demonstration.
Find where the nose is, cut, and flick the hair out. Once you can see better, you can tidy upwards, but keep the scissors on an angle.
Step 11: Tidy The Ridge Of The Nose
If you want a neater finish, fluff up the hair along the ridge of the nose.
This is the only time Jen says you should cut straight. Even then, use only the tips of the scissors.
Do not push the scissors too far in. Jen warns there is a high chance of cutting the dog right in the middle of the eyes if you do not use the tips.
Step 12: Remove Crusty Eye Bits Carefully
After trimming the excess hair, you may see crusty bits near the eyes.
There are two ways to remove them. You can use scissors, but only if you are very careful because the area is close to the eye.
Use your fingers to gently lift the crusty bits up and away from the eye. Do not yank them. Then use the tips of the scissors and cut away from the eye.
If you do not want to use scissors, try gently working the crust out with your fingernail. If it is stuck, press a wet cotton ball with warm water onto the area until it softens. Once soft, your fingernail should be able to remove it gently.
Step 13: Use A Pre-Clip Before Bathing If Needed
Jen also shows a pre-clip on Indy.
A pre-clip is not about making the dog look finished. It removes coat that may be hiding problem areas before the dog goes into the bath.
This can help a groomer see what they are working with, especially if the dog has hidden mats.
Dog Grooming Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Dog
Do not brush only the top coat. Mats can sit close to the skin, especially on curly coated dogs.
Do not ignore the armpits, behind the ears, belly, chest, tail, and under the tail. These are the areas owners often miss.
Do not leave long ears wet after drinking. Dry and brush them so the ends do not mat.
Do not use scissors on mats close to the skin or ear leather. Use clippers with a sharp blade, or call a groomer.
Do not use dull scissors or kitchen scissors around the face. They are too hard to control.
Do not point scissors towards the eye. Always cut away from the eye and use the tips.
Do not yank crusty eye bits. Soften them with warm water if needed.
For more grooming guidance, Jim’s Group also has articles on starting a dog grooming business and Jim’s Dog Wash grooming work.
When Should You Call A Dog Groomer?
Call a professional groomer if the mat is close to the skin, close to the ear leather, tight, spreading, or painful for your dog.
You should also call a groomer if your dog will not stay still while you are trimming near the eyes. That area needs control, calm handling, and the right tools.
Leaving mats can cause real problems. Jen explains that mats can spread from a small patch to “nose to tail.” They can pull at the skin, cause skin problems, lead to vet bills, and may leave shaving as the only safe option.
If your dog has mats you cannot safely remove, contact Jim’s Dog Wash or call 131 546 to book mobile dog washing and grooming. A local Jim’s Dog Wash groomer can come to you and help remove problem mats before they get worse.
FAQs About Dog Mats, Eye Trimming, And At-Home Grooming
Common matting spots include the tail, under the tail, armpits, behind the ears, ear ends, belly, and chest.
Do not use scissors on mats close to the skin or ear leather. Jen recommends clippers with a very sharp blade, or calling a groomer if you are unsure.
Hold under the chin for control, use sharp straight scissors, cut on an angle, and use only the tips. Cut and flick the hair away from the eye
You can carefully lift them away from the eye and cut away from the eye with the scissor tips. If they are stuck, soften them with a wet cotton ball and warm water first.
Mats can spread, pull on the skin, cause skin problems, lead to vet bills, and may mean the dog has to be shaved right down, possibly down to the skin.