Filaree Burrs Wet and Dry

The secret to getting them off a dog (or other animal) when they've gotten really matted into the fur is to get the burrs really wet (ie, dunk the dog in water). In a few minutes, the burrs uncurl, straightening out like pine needles and they can just be pulled out.

 

Here you see four filaree burrs at various stages of un-curl.

Done