Following are directions for making a simple topknot on your pet Shih Tzu.  It is easy to learn to make a simple topknot that will secure your pet’s bow. This topknot is made with two sections of hair, and secures the bow into the front section of hair.

Gather the hair for the topknot by making the following parts with a rat tail comb:

• Feel the top of your Shih Tzu’s head and locate the tiny bump towards the center back of the head. This will be your stopping point when you are parting the hair for the Shih Tzu topknot. Begin the part by parting the hair from the outer corner of the eyes-- going back over the top of the ears-- and then angle your part to the tiny bump. Your section of topknot hair will be in a triangular shape.Fig.1

• Divide this big section into two equal sections of hair. You will have a front section and a back section of topknot hair.Fig.2

• Band the front section of hair about 1 inch from the scalp holding the hair perpendicular to the head. Make sure that you wrap the band a couple of times. Now take a few hairs from the center-back of this section and holding them straight up, gently push your band to the scalp. This secures your front section to the head and will make your front section poof out in front.Fig.3

• Now band your back section of topknot hair closer to the head about 1/2 inch from the scalp. Wrap the band a couple of times. Take a few hairs from the center- front of this section and holding them straight up, gently push your band to the scalp. This secures your back section to the head and will make your back section comfortable and give it a tiny poof towards the back.Fig.4

• Now place your bow onto the front section of hair. If the bands on the bow are larger than ¼” you will need to wrap the band at least twice.Fig5

• With your dog bow in place, gather each section together into one topknot and place a final band above the bow, wrap the band at least twice to hold the topknot.Fig.6

To take your topknot down, carefully clip the bands holding it together being careful not to clip the bands on your dog bow.  Do not pull bands out of the topknot, this not only hurts your dog, but it also breaks hairs in the topknot.  You do not need to purchase special scissors to cut your bands. I like to use small rounded tip scissors that are made for cutting hair on the face, but any small scissor will work just fine.

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