Some Tips and Advice on Bow Training for Puppies

In order to bow train your new puppy I suggest using a small light weight bow.  The lighter weight the better. The reason for this is because the puppy will feel the bow on top of it's head and try to get it out. Therefore, the lighter weight the bow is, the less your puppy will feel it.

You will also need to make sure the bow or topknot band is tied securely. If you have problems with getting them in securely you might want to try a bow insertion tool. These are found in bowsbyval ebay store. I will include free instructions with the tool. If you would like to see how this tool is used, you can send me an email and I will send the link to a utube video for you. 

Getting Started

Start out by just getting your puppy used to having her/his hair pulled into a topknot.  Take a small band and wrap it several times around a small patch of hair being careful not to pull it so tight that the eyes are pulled up into a slant. If you see the dogs eyes are slanted after putting the band in, loosen the topknot up a bit. Let your puppy wear just the band without a bow for a 7 -10 days.   You will need to re- do the topknot every day to pull loose hairs back up into the topknot. When you re-do the topknot, use a new band and snip the old one out with some scissors that have a small point on the end. This will prevent pulling hair out when you pull the band off.  Re- doing the topknot every day will also get your puppy used to you touching and fixing the topknot so when you start putting bows in, he/she won't be wiggling around as much.

I suggest putting the band from the bow over the topknot band and wrapping about 3 times for a secure hold.  If you plan on using a bow with a barrette added, you will also need to put a banded topknot in before placing the barrette on the topknot. Place the barrette in front of the band in the hair next to the scalp. If you place the barrette in the hair on top of the band, it will slip out.  If you are not familiar with using bows on puppies, you might want to order a bow with bands and a bow with a barrette, just to see what one your more comfortable with.

If your puppy is a Yorkie or Maltese, you will want to buy 3/8 or 5/8 single loops to start with. For Shih-tzu and Lhasa Apso, the 5/8 single loops are best.  Shih-tzu and Lhasa Apso will need 7/8 x 1 1/2" double loops when they are 5-6 months old.  Yorkies, depending on their size will be using anywhere from 3/8 single loops to 5/8 double loops when they are 5-6 months old.

I would also like to suggest trying my xxx-sm and regular size Korkie bows for training as they are very light weight and won't come out as easy or go crooked  during the bow training time when puppies are lively and active.

Click on the links below to find bows for your new puppy.

      XXX-SM BOWS FOR YORKIE AND TEACUP PUPPIES  

         X-SM BOWS FOR SHIH-TZU OR LHASA PUPPIES

                               LIGHTWEIGHT CURLEY KORKIE BOWS

Thanks for taking the time to read my guide. I hope it is useful in finding the right bows for your new adorable puppy.