LOL, Etsy does take some getting used to! If you got them the same place I did the gal is a quick shipper and very nice. Maybe write her a little not and explain, I am sure she will get them right out.

This will sound a bit 'overprotective' and make me seem like a nutjob, but that's okay.

Personally, I would stay away from barettes and alligator clips. They are tiny, and if by chance the threads that hold them to the bow were to detach or tear....or if it somehow ended up coming out of your dog's fur (or if your dog decided to rip it out), swallowing one of those suckers would be deadly. They are metal, and sharp, and would do God knows what to doggy's innards.

(Yeh, maybe I'm a nutjob, but you can't ever be too safe when it comes to dogs, especially tiny ones)

With the rubberbands they are more difficult to put in, but at least they wouldn't kill your pet if they were to swallow them. I've asked my vet about this and generally speaking, dogs (even tiny breeds) will usually pass these small rubber bands in their stool without issue.

Our Brussels Griffon mix likes wearing bows. Our new Morkie (Bella) hates them and won't sit still for anything. I'm hoping she will gradually accept them, because I adore doggy bows!

In any case... use hemostats and wrap the rubber bands around them until you're barely able to open the hemostats. Grasp the dog's fur in a very small amount (like 1/4 inch width is all)...grab it with the hemos, and then just shove the bow to just above the base of the doggy's skin (so it doesn't pinch the skin). This works awesome with Sprout and they stay in until I decide to cut them out. He does have fine, silky hair. This works very well.

Your SO welcome! I'm so glad I was able to help others that have the same problem I do. [:

:thumbup::thumbup:

I like band bows

Such a common problem. They eventually grown up enough that they will stay in their hair at about 18 months. I use OMG Plush Puppy and it thickens the top hair and it eventually stays in. I also alternate rubber bands and pony tails bands and finally they stay in long enough to actually wear to a dog show.

Prissy won't hold still enough to put in any bows at all..so the Christmas bows will have to wait till next year, well hopeful she will calm down some by then...she is only 13 weeks now and a handful.

I feel your pain...about the bows. ;)

But, I would suggest bands....not clips. Clips are heavier and more noticeable to the dog when on their head, and, because they are heavier, they are also more likely to pull the hair a bit. They are also easier to rub, grab, or shake out...they are an easier target for paws and claws...and are great chew toys once they are out. They are great 'tug' toys for a second dog while still in the hair of the first dog, too, and Mia was easily able to grab the bands, clips, and bows with her teeth and slide them out of the silky hair in Brody's top knot...after which, the game was on! ;)

Not all bands are equal, however. Brody's hair is very fine and thin and silky, and he could easily get out the bands, clips, etc. I used to use. Mia's hair was very, very short...and silky, too...and she was easily able to get bands out of her own tiny top knot...and forget clips...one head shake, and...

Clips seemed better at first because they seemed faster and easier to put in...especially with a wiggly puppy who doesn't want the top knot at all. But, I like the clear laytex bands I get from Dog Bows custom made for the Pet & Top Show Dogs best...they have them in lots of sizes...even to Tiny and 1/8" Micro. They hold better than the first bands I found at the pet store, and they are stretchier and don't break as easily...meaning I have yet to have one break. They pretty much stay in all day...until I cut them out, especially since I just don't put bows in their hair if I am not with them. I use the 5/16" Medium size...and sometimes two...one for the top knot, and one for the bow...wrapped above and below the first band. They cost $5 for 500 and $8 for 1,000...and band scissors are $5.

The point to the band is to keep their hair out of their eyes, and when longer, out of their mouths, food, water, etc., and no matter how much I love the bows, I care more about my babies.

I found that the smaller and lighter...and less noticeable...I could make bows, the longer the wear time. So, I started making tiny, lightweight hair bows for my babies. You can easily and quickly make your own tiny little bows, too, with very narrow and/or lightweight ribbon, a band, and two 'string beads' none of which will be terribly harmful...and should pass straight through...should they get swallowed, even though you don't want that to happen There is even a groomer video on YouTube that shows how...she makes similar bows for dogs she grooms...I will look for the link...

Here it is....and how to apply with hemostats (second link):



- Cat