Want to Dress Up Your Pup? Here's How to Put a Bow on a Short Hair Dog

Short-haired dogs are sleek, stylish, and irresistibly cute—but when it comes to accessorizing with a bow, many pet parents run into a common problem: How do you keep it from slipping off or bothering your dog?

At SprinklePups.com, we specialize in adorable, pet-friendly accessories that stay in place—even on the smoothest coats. Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting that picture-perfect look without the stress.

🐶 Step-by-Step: How to Put a Bow on a Short Hair Dog

1. Choose the Right Bow Type

Not all bows are created equal! For short hair dogs, you’ll want:

• Harness bows: ideal for daily wear with Sprinkle Pups harness styles, easy to remove and attach to change colors/styles, dog is virtually unaware of the bow

• Collar bows: easy to remove and attach to change colors/styles

• Elastic headband bows: gentle on fur and secure around head, similar to human styles 

➡️ Pro Tip: SprinklePups.com offers a range of lightweight, slip-resistant dog bows specifically designed for short coats. Shop our bow collection →

2. Attach to the Collar or Harness

Since short hair offers less grip, attaching the bow to your pup’s harness or collar works best. With Sprinkle Pups harnesses, simply slide the elastic loop of our harness bows over the back T-strap -- it's that simple! For collars, just slide the elastic loop around the collar—centered just under their chin or off to one side for a cute asymmetrical look.

➡️ Bonus: It won’t touch their sensitive skin or tug on fur!

3. Place Around Head

Use a soft, light weight bow that is proportional to your dog's head size. Avoid bulky bows or heavy embellishments if you have a small dog. Larger dogs can wear thicker headbands and more substantial bows. It's all about proportion to your dog's size. Regardless, look for:

• Soft cotton, felt or other lightweight materials 
• Stretchable headbands that will fit the face-wise circumference of your dog's head. For maximum comfort, you do not want it too tight, but you also do not want it too loose or it won't stay on securely.
  

At SprinklePups, all of our bows are dog-tested for comfort and cuteness. However, unlike the harness bows which dogs are usually not even aware of, the headband style of bow can take some getting used to. We recommend giving your dog a treat and lots of praise after placing the bow around your pup's head. Positive reinforcement will help your pup associate accessories with fun -- not frustration. 

📸 Say Cheese! Bow Style Tips for Short Hair Dogs

Need inspiration? Try these bow styles:

• Holiday-themed bows for photoshoots and parties

• Everyday mini bows clipped to collars

• Matching sets with harness + bow combos

🎀 Browse SprinklePups’ latest headband bow styles or our guaranteed-to-get-compliments harness and collar bow styles.

Why Pet Parents Love SprinklePups Bows

✅ Designed for both long and short-haired breeds
✅ Soft, non-irritating materials
✅ Clip-on, snap, and elastic options
✅ Instagram-worthy designs

Ready to Dress Up Your Pup?

🐾 Shop the best bows for short hair dogs at SprinklePups.com!

Wags and kisses, 

Little Pug Beatrix, Chief Marketing Pug, Sprinkle Pups