I don't know how he does it, but my youger Cavalier gets the biggest knots in the hair on his ears (its usually the right side..not that the side really matters).  I admit that I am a slacker when it comes to daily brushings, but when I do try to brush him, he becomes a big baby and runs away.  Does anyone have any trade secrets to get him to clam down or any tools to suggest.  Having to bring him to the groomer's with these knots is a little embarrassing at times.

there is a brand called cowboy magic. it's made for horses but i have used it on my dogs in the past. i believe you can get it at petsmart. it is amazing! try to take your dog for a nice long walk before you attempt to brush him. he will be alot calmer and then just brush him for a minute and work your way up to where you can do a full body brush.

I actually am a groomer. What you want to get is something called a matt breaker. It is almost like three little blades that break threw the knots. Dogs come in with dogs with the knots behind the ear all the time. One of the reasons your dog might be so crazy when your brushing him is because you are waiting until it gets knotted to brush it out and that really does hurt them. It hurts us when we have a knot in our hair, image how much it hurts them. So try to take the step to prevent it and after a while he won't mind you brushing because you won't be ripping at his hair you will be able to glide your comb right threw it.

I find using Johnson non tangles spray works just fine. Just spray and use your fingers to break up the knots. Then comb. It smells so good !

If real bad then check into any of the horse products for removing tangles.

Valium?!!  LOL!!!! 

'll have to look around for that 'matt breaker'.  I have tried to stay on top of brushing them more regularly and what do ya know...that works too!  I guess the real cause was me being a lazy bum. 

I think I've found the best solution to getting their knots out...just fork over the money have have the groomer worry about it.  LOL