How to Put a Bow on a Short-Haired Dog

I don't know about you, but as a pug who loves to wear bows, I can tell you that I get a ton of attention whenever I wear one! I get all sorts of ooh's and ahh's and I make so many people smile when they see me! But on my Instagram account, the question that I get asked the most is, "How do you put those bows on?" 

Well, if you're a longer-haired dog like a Shih Tzu, Brussels Griffon or a Poodle, wearing a bow is pretty easy to do. You can secure it in the right place with a clip or elastic band. But, if you're a short-hair dog like me -- a pug, Frenchie, Golden retriever, or even a Labrador -- it's just not that easy! But today, I'm going to share a few alternative methods you can try to attach the bow. Some of them may work better for some dogs -- it's really a matter of preference, so here are a few options:

1. Adhesive-backed Velcro: Cut a small piece of adhesive-backed Velcro and attach one side to the back of the bow and the other side to your dog's hair. Make sure the Velcro is positioned securely but not too tight to avoid discomfort.

2. Pet-safe adhesive: Use a pet-safe adhesive, such as a non-toxic glue or adhesive specifically designed for pet grooming, to attach the bow directly to your dog's hair. Apply a small amount of adhesive to the back of the bow and carefully press it onto your dog's head. Be sure to use a pet-friendly adhesive that can be easily removed without causing harm to your dog's skin or hair.

3. Bow tie collar attachment: Consider using a bow tie attachment designed to be attached to your dog's collar instead of directly to their hair. This option works well for dogs with short hair, as it eliminates the need for securing the bow to their head.

4. Hair clips or bobby pins: If the bow is lightweight, you can try using small hair clips or bobby pins to secure the bow to the surrounding hair on your dog's head. Be sure to use clips or pins that are specifically designed for pets and won't cause discomfort or injury.

5. 

   Fabric wrap: This is our favorite way! Take a small strip of soft fabric or ribbon that matches the bow and gently wrap it around your dog's head, securing the bow in place. Make sure it's not too tight and that your dog feels comfortable with the fabric wrap. Our Simply Cute and Picture Perfect bow collections are really good "first" bows for your dog, since they are extremely soft and comfortable. 

If you're armed with the proper treats, you can usually get a dog to wear a bow long enough for you to snap a good photo. And with enough photo sessions and treats, it's very likely that your dog will soon learn to love photoshoots like I do! 

But just a quick reminder that not all dogs will tolerate them. Remember to always supervise your dog while they are wearing any accessories and remove them if your dog shows signs of discomfort or tries to remove them. Additionally, keep in mind that some dogs may not tolerate wearing bows or accessories, regardless of the attachment method used. 

 ---Wags and kisses, Little Pug Beatrix, Chief Marketing Pug