I brought Jesse home at 2 years old. The former owner kept his hair shorter and he never wore bows. I let his hair grow out, and has soon has it was long enough I started putting in bands. Jesse hated it at fist, every time he would rub his head on the rug trying to get it out. I kept putting in bands, and he eventually got use to it! He wears some sort of band, bow or scrunchie everyday without any problems