Course 17 · Long and Silky Coats · Lesson 11 of 12

How do you deal with burrs, twigs and tangles outdoors?

Published 29 October 2026 · Updated 29 October 2026 · About 6 minutes · General information only. This lesson does not diagnose or treat any condition.

Deal with burrs, twigs and tangles outdoors by removing debris by hand, working small tangles gently, and checking the coat after every outing.

You deal with burrs, twigs, and tangles outdoors by checking the coat after every outing, removing debris by hand before combing, and working small tangles gently, holding the base near the skin. Debris left in a long coat catches more hair with every step, and a small tangle becomes a mat if it is bathed over or left for days. Prompt, gentle removal keeps outdoor activity enjoyable and the coat manageable.

What debris affects long coats most?

Burrs, seeds, twigs, leaves, mud, and small stones affect long coats most, because they catch in feathering, skirts, ears, and paws. Burrs have hooks that cling to hair, and pulling them out with force breaks hair and tightens the tangle. Seeds can work into the coat and irritate skin if left. Twigs can snag and pull, and mud dries into clumps that bind hair together. Grass seeds, in particular, need prompt attention, because they can migrate and cause problems if they enter skin or ears, and any sign of pain, swelling, or a seed near the skin needs vet advice. Check the whole coat after walks, with special attention to the feathering, belly, armpits, ears, tail, and paws. Check between the toes, where mud and seeds collect, and under the collar and harness, where debris is pressed into the coat. A quick check in good light, with the dog settled, finds most debris before it becomes a problem.

How should you remove burrs and twigs safely?

Remove debris by hand first, before using a comb. Hold the base of the hair near the skin with one hand, so the skin is not pulled, and work the burr or twig out with the fingers of the other hand, separating the hair around it. Work slowly, in the direction that releases the debris, and do not yank. If a burr is tightly caught, separate the hair around it into smaller strands, and work each strand free. A small amount of light conditioner or grooming spray made for dogs can help the hair slide, but use it sparingly and avoid greasy products. Once the debris is out, comb the area gently, from the ends inwards, to confirm the hair is separated. If the debris is embedded in skin, if the skin is broken, swollen, or painful, or if a seed is near the eyes, ears, or paws and cannot be removed easily, seek vet help. Do not dig at skin, and do not use scissors to cut debris out of the coat near the skin. A groomer can help with a tangled section that resists gentle work, and a vet should see any wound or swelling.

How should you work a tangle found outdoors?

A tangle found outdoors should be treated as a small, loose knot, not as a mat to be forced apart. Hold the base, work the ends with fingers first, and then use a wide tooth comb in short strokes, moving gradually towards the skin. Keep the section small, and stop if the dog shows pain or stress. If the tangle is in feathering or skirt hair, support the leg or belly gently and keep the skin flat. Do not bath over the tangle, because water will tighten it. Do not rub the area with a towel, because friction will felt it. If the coat is wet from rain or swimming, blot dry, let the coat dry fully, and work the tangle when dry, unless the tangle is causing distress and a groomer can help sooner. A practical outdoor to home sequence is:

Check the coat after the outing, in good light, section by section.
Remove debris by hand, holding the base near the skin.
Work small tangles with fingers, then a wide tooth comb.
Blot and dry fully if wet, and recheck when dry.
Note any tangle that resists, and leave it for groomer advice.
Record where debris and tangles recur, to plan route or coat length changes.

How can you reduce outdoor tangles?

Reduction starts with routine and route awareness. Keep the coat at a maintainable length, so feathering and skirts do not drag excessively. Comb before a walk, so the coat is separated and debris is less likely to catch. After a walk, check promptly, before the dog lies down and presses debris into the coat. Avoid areas with heavy burrs and dense undergrowth if the coat tangles badly there, or keep the walk shorter and check more often. In muddy conditions, rinse paws and lower legs, blot dry, and comb when dry. A well fitting harness that does not rub excessively, and removal of the harness indoors, reduces friction tangles. If the same area collects debris every walk, consider a slightly shorter length in that area, or ask a groomer whether a tidy trim would help. The goal is not to avoid outdoor activity. It is to match the coat care to the activity, so the dog can enjoy walks without the coat paying for it afterwards.

When should you stop and get help?

Stop and seek vet help if the skin is broken, swollen, or painful, if a seed or foreign object is embedded, if bleeding will not stop, or if the dog shows pain or sudden behaviour change. Seek groomer help if a tangle is tight, close to the skin, or in a folded area, and do not cut it out with scissors near the skin. Seek vet help for wounds, lumps, ears that are red, swollen, or discharging, or skin that smells or discharges. Keep styptic powder ready for nail work, and never insert cotton buds deep in the ear canal. If the dog panics or tries to bite during debris removal, seek hands on help from a groomer and professional help for biting.

Outdoor tangles are part of life with a long coat, and they are manageable when they are found early. Check after every outing, remove debris by hand, work small tangles gently, and keep the coat dry and separated. That prompt care keeps walks enjoyable and grooming sessions short.