The use of finishing touches for dogs – bows and bandannas – is strictly a matter of personal preference. Many pet owners like to add a cute finishing touch to match their dog’s collar and leash or a favorite outfit. You can buy bows and bandannas in different fabrics and designs, although making your own is very easy and a great way to express your creativity.

Making Your Own Bow

Ear bows are most popular for pet Poodles. A bow can be tied or fastened by a latex band to the ear feathering, at the top of the ear just below the topknot and/or to a little tuft of hair on the hip. The best type of ribbon to use is non fraying satin acetate florist’s ribbon, which is available by the roll from most mail-order pet supply catalogs.

The selection is dazzling: solid-colored ribbon in brilliant shades or fancy ribbons patterned with checkerboards, stripes, polka dots, paw prints, doggie bones, confetti, glitter or holiday themes.

Everyone has his or her favorite way of making hair bows, but you can make one in a few seconds (that will stay firmly attached to the hair when applied correctly), by following these steps:

1. To make the most basic bow, start with a piece of ribbon from 8 to 14 inches long, depending on the dog’s size. Generally, a 6- to 8-inchlong ribbon makes a balanced bow for Toys, a 10- to 12-inch ribbon is good for Miniatures and a 14-inch ribbon or slightly longer is best for Standards.
2. Fold the right end to the center to make a loop on the right side, holding the loop in place with your fingers.
3. Fold the left end to the center, and make a loop on the left side, holding both loops in place with your fingers.
4. Secure the bow in place either by tying in the center with a thin strip of ribbon or by twisting a small latex band around the center. One end of the latex band loops through the other and holds the bow in place. It might take a little practice to pass one end of the band through the other, but with a little dedication you can learn to do it.
   For a really elegant effect, use two or three ribbons in harmonizing colors or use one solid and one plaid, checked or patterned ribbon for each bow. You can also use brightly colored yarn in place of ribbon. For a pretty and soft touch, after the yarn bow is attached, use a fine comb to carefully comb out the end pieces of the yarn.

To fasten the bow to the ear, pull out a few strands of the long hair at the top center of the ear. Attach the bow to the
strands of hair (bow on the outside, ribbon or latex band underneath). Slide the bow up to the top of the ear, then tie the ribbon around the feathering or twist the loop of the latex band around the hair, taking care that there is no skin caught up in the band.

Bows attached to the feathering in this manner will not injure the ear leather and will stay firmly attached until the band is snipped away with scissors.

You can also buy assortments of lovely handcrafted bows already tied to latex bands in different designs, fabrics and trim (ribbon, tulle, netting, satin roses, tiny seed pearls and beads) at pet stores and from mail-order pet supply catalogs.

Creating Bandannas

You can also buy bandannas in bright attractive prints or seasonal motifs at pet stores or from most mail-order pet supply catalogs. Each bandanna is about 22 inches square and made of machine washable cotton. This size is suitable for Standard Poodles.

You can fold each bandanna and wear it as is, or cut it in half with pinking shears to make two triangle-shaped bandannas, or into quarters to make four smaller bandannas.

It’s easy to make your own bandannas by using brightly colored cotton or cotton-blend material and cutting them into triangles of various sizes with pinking shears.