Always dry. Brushing a wet or damp coat locks tangles in place as it dries and can tighten mats that would otherwise come out easily. Brush thoroughly before a bath, dry fully, then comb check.

A slicker has fine, angled wire bristles that reach into the undercoat, which is the right tool for Groodles. A pin brush has smoother, widely spaced pins and mostly glides over the top, missing the layer where mats actually form. For most Groodles, a slicker plus a metal comb beats any pin brush.

Small, loose tangles, yes. Work from the outer edge inward with a comb or detangler, and never yank from the skin. Tight, felted or pelted mats, no. Never cut into a mat with scissors, because dog skin lifts up into it and is caught extremely easily. Book a groom instead.

Short, calm, frequent sessions while they are tired. Start with two or three minutes, reward immediately, and stop before they lose patience. Consistency beats duration. A Groodle that hates brushing almost always became that way because it was left until the coat was already uncomfortable.

After. Grass, dirt, moisture, and whatever they rolled in all add to the tangle risk. A quick check and brush after outdoor time prevents small tangles from setting in overnight, especially on legs, chest, and beard.

Yes, they do different jobs. The slicker does the actual work, breaking up tangles and pulling out loose undercoat. The comb is the verification tool. If it passes cleanly through a section, that section is done. If it snags, there is still a mat hiding. Without the comb it is very easy to think the coat is finished when half of it is not.