The Complete Brushing Guide

The 3 Ways to Use Your Brush

PRO Brushing Tips

Our brush is designed to do the hard work for you. Use these techniques for smooth sailing while brushing.

• Let the bristles do the work, never pull.

  You should never need to pull hard on your dog's hair. If you find yourself pulling, switch to a smaller section. The flexible bristles give slightly as they work, keeping things comfortable for your dog.

• Listen for the "popcorn" sound

  As you work through tangles, you'll hear a soft, popcorn-like popping. That's a good thing. It means you're actively detangling and making progress. Each pass breaks down a little more.

• Know when a spot is done

  A finished area lets the hooks glide straight through with no effort and a smooth, quiet sound. Once the popcorn stops and you're left with smooth, defined curls, you're done.

• A few gentle passes beat one hard pull

  Go gently and repeat. Start light, gliding over the surface. It takes a few passes over the same spot to work all the way through.

• Use line brushing for tougher tangles

  For denser or more tangled spots, work in small sections. Gently lift a layer of hair and brush through it instead of tackling everything at once.

• Switch bristle types for hard-to-reach spots

  Use the hooks for detangling and curl definition, then switch to the straight bristles for corners and harder-to-reach areas. Same gentle technique, no pulling.

• Hold the root on stubborn knots

  For a stubborn knot, hold the hair at the root while you work so you're never tugging at your dog's skin. Much gentler, and a much happier dog.

• Pair with the curl care formulas

  Brushing alongside our curl cream and conditioner helps prevent matting and locks curls into definition, so they stay defined instead of forming mats. Remember that curl definition starting at the root is key. More product → more hold.

• Skip daily brushing

  Because the formulas keep matting at bay, brushing every 1 to 2 weeks is often all it takes. Wash day stays calm and low-stress for both of you. 🐾

• Brush with slip

  We recommend brushing while the coat is wet with conditioner in. If using the spray, ensure to saturate the coat section by section. Remember to brush down to the root.

Get to Know the CurlyWags Method

Curly and wavy coats don't behave like straight coats. The hair holds onto itself, so tangles form close to the skin where you can't see them. The CurlyWags method works with that structure instead of fighting it: brush on a damp, slippery coat, section by section, so every layer gets reached and the curl springs back defined rather than frizzed.

The CurlyWags Method

Not Sure Where to Start?

Knowing how to brush is half of it; knowing how often, and what to do after a bath, a groomer visit, or a shave-down, is the other half. This map walks you through it based on where your dog's coat is right now, from "not too bad" to "more than you can brush out yourself.

The cadence in short: after a CurlyWags wash day, wait up to a week before the next, with an optional Curl Refresh in between. If your dog's coat is too matted to brush out safely, see a groomer first, then refresh the curls within 48 hours if they weren't shaved, or wait for regrowth if they were.

How to Position Your Dog for Each Section

We recommend brushing on a sturdy table, with your dog supervised.

Where you stand and how you hold your dog makes brushing faster and calmer for both of you. Use the checklist above as a quick reference for positioning each section.