First of all he is ADORABLE!!! Secondly...I don't know if you can teach an old dog new tricks lol. I feel like it's going to take a while for him to like or even tollerate a topknot if he has never had one before. Most start out wearing them and don't know anything different. It reminds me of my nephews....my sister would put hats on them since they were little and people would see them when they were like 2 years old and say "how do you get them to keep those hats on" and she would always say "you have to hat train them young"

I leave it in all the time and just redo it every day. Always make sure it's not too tight and close to the skin. Some people take it down overnight. Either way is fine. I wouldn't leave it in much over a day, you are more likely to get some tangles or mats.

Start with a rubber band (thin tiny ones) or groomer's bands and put it in very loosely....he'll rub it off, but start putting them in every day (when you can supervise so he doesn't swallow it - though try to distract him when he tries to rub it out)...then after about a week, put it in a little tighter...always, always make a big deal about him getting "pretty" - with a treat and baby talk. Then the next week put it in tight enough to actually hold a topknot... leave it longer each time. Always make it a big deal/happy time. Never put it in so tight he's eyes are pulled tight...even the best accessory wearer will try to rub off one that is too tight and uncomfortable!
Eventually graduate to adding a light weight bow to the banded topknot. Don't put anything 'heavy' (thick bows, crown/metal-type accessories, etc) until he's willing to tolerate the lightest of accessories. If he likes walks tell him he has to have a "pretty" in first. Place your band and take him for a short little walk...always associate it with something positive for him.
With patience and consistency he'll be a topknot wearer before you know it.
That's my suggestion - for an older dog that hasn't wore topknots before.
I've always had mine as puppies so as soon as they have enough hair, in goes a topknot (daily) just bands though, bows are saved for when they go out 'on the town'

I have a different kind of problem. My little boy loves bows and his hair fixed but kayla hates it. If I do get them put in, Lexi, (schnauzer) will not let their bows stay in. She takes them off of them as fast as you can put them on.

You could always start out with little girls scruntchies, that way when he rubs them out they will just slide off instead of ripping any hair. This would at least get him "used" to the feeling of something on his head.

After some time he will no longer feel it and stop trying to get it out.

I like to give mine a break and a good head rubbing because I know personally a ponytail hurts my own head so I can imagine leaving it in on your baby without taking it out for a break, it would hurt too.
they love the little head rub too :)

Good luck...he will get used to it!

Just wanted to say that I went to pull some of corky's hair up, and he nicely swatted my hand away form his head....

I went out and got a variety of small bands and clips. The first one I tried is a tiny little red clip called "hairhints" made by Goody. I pulled up a very small amount of hair and put it in a red clip. Much to my surprise, he didn't immediately start shaking and rubbing his head. He didn't even seem to notice it was there! And he even left it in overnight.

I combed it out and re-clipped it this morning and he's still ignoring it. It's not big enough to be effective once his hair grows out. But as so many of you have said, this might help him get used to having something in his hair. I'll try a bigger clip in a few days.

I'm so thrilled - THANK YOU to all!!!

picture attached.

7months ago when I first brought Jesse home he was 2 years old, his hair was cut very short as well. He wasn't use to wearing anything in his hair, but as soon as it became long enough, I started to band it. Jesse would try to removed it at first, but with persistence on my part he got use to it and now it doesn't bother him. Lately I've been double banding, because it is getting so long it falls forward with just one band in it.

Leyla has been wearing a "tail" since she was 12 weeks and doesn't try to pull it down. It is almost getting long enough to be considered a top knot. She loves getting her hair done and looking pretty. My problem is friends (and strangers) who joke about how it makes her look goofy and when they pet her, they "scruff" her hair. I have told them they are just making tangles and we just combed her out & the usual response is "she's a dog". Need to start carrying a ruler to smack their hands. Broke up with bf a couple of months back and this was high up on the minus list. She is still pretty curly and the hair is short but trying to grow. I know I'll miss the puppy look but will be so glad to have a long coat that people won't mess with. :mad:

To hear is to obey - right?:D

I was so lucky with Beamer, he came to me at a year old from a show home. He was so used to being groomed. And when I go to do his topknot as soon as he sees the bow in my hand he lays down with his head towards me while I do his topknot. His breeder really trained him well.

Good for you - any guy who thinks "she's a dog" doesn't deserve to keep his bf status
:thumbup:

Be careful. That is exactly the clip that Lily swallowed and we had to induce vomiting at the vet's. Luckily I caught it as quickly as I did because it was still in her stomach. Had it been in the intestine, she would have required surgery.

Very cute boy. He looks like my Jack. I do the bows on Josie but not Jack. Jack takes the bows and bands out of Josie's hair, so I usually only do when we go out. And I am still in training on the bows.

I used to pull a little hair up and put it in a band just to get my 2 used to the feeling of having it up. After awhile they sorta got used to it. Hot Rod never and still doesn't like to get brushed or fussed over so I caved and cut his bangs. :( But he is sooo much happier.

I started putting Maggies hair up in a single topknot then in pigtails. I\'ve never cut her topknot hair so it is very long now and she will wait for me to put it up before she eats. lol