Why Your Doodle Gets Mats Behind the Ears (7 Fixes)

You brush your doodle, the coat looks great, and then you slide your hand behind the ears and find a hard little knot. Again. If that sounds familiar, you are not alone. Behind the ears is one of the most common spots for doodle mats.

We started Freshly Bailey because keeping our doodle Bailey's coat healthy and free of mats was a real struggle. The good news is that ear mats are one of the easiest problems to stop once you know why they form. A few minutes a few times a week is usually all it takes.

Why does my doodle get mats behind the ears?

Mats form when loose hair and live hair twist together and lock into a knot. Behind the ears, several things make that happen faster than anywhere else on the body.

1. The hair is softer and finer. The fluffy hair behind the ears is often thinner and silkier than the rest of the coat. Fine hair tangles much more easily.
2. Constant rubbing. Collars, harness straps, sweaters and even your hands petting the same spot rub the hair back and forth all day. That friction twists it into knots.
3. Scratching and head shaking. Every time your doodle scratches an ear or shakes its head, the hair behind the ear gets rolled and tangled.
4. Moisture. Water from the bowl, drool, swimming, rain and baths all dampen this area. Wet hair that dries without being brushed out tends to clump together.
5. It gets skipped. Most of us brush the back and sides and move on. The hair behind the ears is hidden under the ear flap, so small tangles grow into big mats before anyone sees them.

7 ways to stop mats behind your doodle's ears

1. Do a quick ear check every day or two

Run your fingers behind each ear while you are petting your dog on the couch. If you feel a small tangle, you can brush it out in a minute. Small tangles are easy. Big mats are not. This one habit stops most ear mats before they start.

2. Lift the ear and brush in small sections

Gently fold the ear up and out of the way with one hand. With the other, brush the hair behind and under the ear in small sections, a little at a time. Brush all the way down to the skin, not just over the top. This is called line brushing, and it is how groomers reach the hair that matters. A long pin slicker made for curly coats reaches deeper than a short pin brush.

3. Mist with detangler spray first

A light mist of detangling spray helps the brush glide instead of catch. That means less pulling on the thin skin behind the ears. You can brush a damp coat or a dry one. Just never bathe a matted coat before you brush out the mats, because water makes mats tighter.

4. Finish with a metal comb

A brush can make the top of the coat look smooth while a knot hides underneath. After brushing, slide a metal comb through the same spot, from the skin out. If the comb glides all the way through, you are done. If it stops, go back with the brush. Start with the wide teeth, then switch to the narrow teeth.

5. Work out small mats gently

Hold the hair at the base, close to the skin, so you are not pulling on your dog. Then work from the outer end of the mat toward the skin with short, gentle strokes. Our Dematting Comb for Dogs is made for this, with sharp blades for stubborn mats in curly coats. Go slowly and keep a light touch. Take breaks and give treats. If a mat is tight against the skin, do not force it or cut it with scissors. The skin behind the ear is thin and easy to nick. Ask your groomer to remove it safely.

6. Cut down on friction

Take the collar off at home if it is safe to do so, or switch to a flat, smooth collar. Brush behind the ears after a day in a harness or sweater. After swimming, rain or a bath, dry this area well and brush it out once it is dry or nearly dry.

7. Ask your groomer for a shorter trim

If the area still mats often, ask your groomer to keep the hair behind the ears a little shorter than the rest of the coat. A small trim here can save you a lot of brushing, and most groomers are happy to do it.

The tools we recommend for mats behind the ears

A quick note: we make these tools, so we are biased. Here is why we recommend each one for mats behind the ears.

Slicker Brush for Goldendoodles, Poodles & Doodles

The long, flexible pins reach down through thick, wavy and curly hair to the tangles near the skin, which is where ear mats start. Choose the Small for dogs under 15 lbs and the Large for dogs 15 lbs and up. Let the brush do the work and keep a light touch on the thin skin behind the ears.

"Great large-size brush pad for larger dogs, and the slickers were soft enough not to irritate my dog's skin while getting out mats on her thick doodle coat."

Review by Crystal Ellis

Greyhound Metal Comb for Dogs

This is the tool that tells you the job is really done. The dual spacing lets you start wide and finish narrow, and it is made for doodle and poodle coats. If the comb glides from the skin out behind both ears, there are no hidden knots left.

"The rounded tips of the teeth prevent scratching and irritation of the dogs' skin which was important for us because one of ours has really sensitive skin. This comb is easy to hold and while it is sturdy and strong it isn't very heavy at all. It is easy to maneuver in and out of those tougher spots like around the ears."

Review by Sarah Yacovissi

Doodle Detangler Spray

A leave-in conditioner made for curly coats. Mist it on the hair behind the ears (not inside the ear) before you brush, so the brush slides through small tangles instead of pulling. A little goes a long way, so use a light mist.

Dematting Comb for Dogs

For the small mats you missed, this is the tool to reach for. Its sharp blades break up stubborn mats in curly and long coats like doodles, so you can work out knots behind the ears instead of pulling on them. Hold the hair at the base and use short, gentle strokes. Tight mats against the skin are a job for your groomer.

"For example, our doodle gets mats behind her ears and on her muzzle frequently. This comb worked really well in helping to work through the matting. We then were able to use a finer tooth brush/comb to work through the mattes and eliminate them completely."

Review by J-ARCH

A 3-minute ear routine (do it every day or two)

1. Sit with your doodle somewhere calm and give a treat.
2. Lightly mist the hair behind one ear with detangler spray.
3. Fold the ear up and brush behind and under it in small sections, down to the skin.
4. Slide the metal comb through from the skin out, first with the wide teeth, then the narrow teeth.
5. If the comb stops at a small knot, hold the hair at the base and work it out gently. Leave tight mats for your groomer.
6. Look inside the ear for redness, a bad smell or dirt. Then praise, treat and switch sides.

When to call your vet

A lot of scratching and head shaking can be a sign of an ear infection, and it is also a big cause of ear mats. The American Kennel Club says dogs with floppy ears or heavy ear hair are more at risk, which describes a lot of doodles. Signs to watch for include head shaking, scratching or rubbing the ear, a bad smell, dark discharge, redness, swelling, crusts or scabs, and pain. If you see any of these, or your dog cries or pulls away when you touch the ear, stop brushing that area and call your vet.

Also see your vet if a mat has been pulling for a while and the skin under it looks red, raw or scabby. If your dog growls or snaps when you work near the ears, a groomer who works with nervous dogs, or a positive-reinforcement trainer, can help. Our post on why your dog hates being brushed has more tips.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I brush behind my doodle's ears?

Every day or two is best, even if you brush the rest of the coat less often. It only takes a minute or two per ear once you are in the habit.

Can I cut mats out from behind my dog's ears with scissors?

We do not recommend it. The skin behind the ears is thin and moves when your dog moves, so it is very easy to cut. Ask your groomer to remove tight mats. For small knots, a dematting comb used gently works well.

Why does my doodle only get mats behind the ears?

The hair there is softer and finer than the rest of the coat, and it gets rubbed by collars, scratching and head shakes all day. It is also hidden under the ear flap, so it is easy to skip when brushing.

Should I bathe my doodle to loosen ear mats?

No. Water makes mats tighter. Brush and comb out mats first, then bathe. After the bath, dry the area well and brush it again.

Do mats behind the ears hurt my dog?

They can. Mats pull on the skin every time your dog moves its head, and they can trap moisture against the skin. That is one more reason to catch them while they are small.

Mats behind the ears are frustrating, but they are not a sign you are doing anything wrong. That spot just needs a little extra attention. Add a quick ear check to your cuddle time, and your doodle's ears will stay soft and knot-free. For a full-coat plan, see our guide on how to remove mats and tangles in your doodle's coat.