How to Tie a Shih Tzu Top Knot (Step by Step)
The top knot is the Shih Tzu’s signature hairstyle: it keeps long hair out of their eyes, shows off that sweet round face, and — with a small bow — it is the cutest thing your dog will wear. It looks fiddly, but it is not: once you know where to section the hair and how loose the band should feel, you can tie one in two minutes. The trick is gentleness — a Shih Tzu’s skin is thin, so a tight knot hurts and slips out, while a loose knot stays in and your dog forgets it is there.
What Is a Shih Tzu Top Knot?
A top knot is a small ponytail tied on top of the head, between and just behind the ears, from the long hair on the crown. It gathers the fringe that would fall into the eyes, lifts it away from the face, and holds it with a small soft band, with a bow clipped over the band to finish. Practical first and pretty second: without it, the fringe gets into the eyes, gets wet at the water bowl, and picks up food. Any Shih Tzu with a few inches of hair on top can wear one.
What You Need Before You Start
Have everything ready before you start:
- Small soft bands. Tiny, soft, snag-free elastics for small dogs or children — the “no-crease” or fabric-covered kind. Avoid rubber bands: they grip, snap, and pull. Keep spares; bands stretch out.
- A blunt-tipped comb. Small, rounded teeth, or a soft bristle brush, for smoothing the section. Work tangles out with your fingers first.
- A small bow. A light clip-on bow on a tiny alligator clip — a heavy bow drags the knot down.
- Detangling spray. A light leave-in spray for dogs, or water in a spray bottle, to smooth the hair and help it hold.
How to Tie a Shih Tzu Top Knot (Step by Step)
Sit your dog on your lap or a non-slip surface, facing away. Keep your voice calm and your hands slow; let a new dog sniff the comb and band first.
Step 1: Section the Hair
Part a small triangle of hair between the ears, from behind the eyes to the crown, with your fingertip — about two fingers wide: too wide pulls at the eyes; too narrow slips out within the hour.
Step 2: Comb It Smooth
Mist the section lightly, then comb it smooth from roots to tips, up and back toward the crown, working any tangle out with your fingers first — a band over a tangle locks it in and hurts coming out.
Step 3: Gather and Hold
Gather the hair into a small ponytail at the crown, between and slightly behind the ears, held between thumb and forefinger — it should lift the skin only slightly, and your dog should not flinch.
Step 4: Band It Twice
Wrap a small soft band around the base once, then twist and wrap it a second time — two wraps is enough, and a third only makes the knot tighter and harder to remove. Slide a fingertip under the band: if it fits easily, the tension is right.
Step 5: Fluff and Shape
Fan the ponytail out gently so it looks full and soft, not flat and spiky; nudge the band upright if it leans.
Step 6: Add the Bow
Clip the bow just above or below the band, onto the band or hair — never bare skin — and tug gently to check the clip holds.
No-Pulling Tricks (So Your Dog Actually Likes It)
- Keep the band loose. A loose band holds fine — thick Shih Tzu hair grips it. A tight band is what makes dogs paw at their knot.
- Never pull the skin. Gather the hair, not the skin. If the skin tents up, take a smaller section.
- Check underneath for tangles. Hair under the knot mats first, so comb it through every time you take a knot out.
- Do it when your dog is calm. After a walk or a meal, when your dog is sleepy, is easiest.
- Keep it short and sweet. A calm two-minute tie beats a fussy ten-minute one — praise, treat, let them go.
Top Knot Styles Compared
Once you can tie a basic top knot, the variations are easy — same start, different finish.
| Style | How it looks | Best for | Hold | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single bow knot | One ponytail on top, small bow over the band | Everyday wear, photos, puppies | All day with a good band | Easy — the starting style |
| Double knots | Two small ponytails side by side, one bow each | Longer hair, special occasions | All day; two bands share the weight | Medium — needs even sections |
| Puff | One ponytail fluffed wide and round, no bow | A soft, natural look; dogs who hate clips | A few hours; loosens fastest | Easy — just fluff wider |
Learn the single bow knot first: it suits almost every Shih Tzu, holds longest, and photographs beautifully. The double knot splits the weight between two bands — more comfortable on longer coats — but the sections must be even, or it leans sideways. The puff, with no bow or clip, is gentlest — best for a dog who paws at clips or shakes bows off.
How to Keep a Top Knot In All Day
A good top knot should last from morning until bedtime. If yours falls out by lunch, the section is too small — take a wider one next time. Or the hair is too slippery: freshly washed hair slides out of bands, so detangling spray or grooming powder on the roots gives the band grip. A heavy bow can drag the knot loose, so go smaller or skip the bow on active days. If your dog keeps rubbing their head on furniture, the knot itches or pulls — take it out, comb through, and re-tie it looser.
Taking It Out Safely
Never pull the band off or yank the ponytail loose — it drags hair out by the roots, hurts, and leaves a tangle that mats overnight. Hold the ponytail in one hand and slide the band off with the other; detangling spray helps if it is stuck. If a band is truly tangled in, cut it off carefully with blunt-tipped scissors, a comb between scissors and skin as a guard, cutting only the band. Then comb the section through gently — this thirty-second comb-through prevents the worst tangles.
Safety First: When a Top Knot Can Hurt
Top knots are safe when loose and fresh, and they hurt when tight or left in too long:
- Never tie it too tight. A tight band pulls the skin and can leave a sore patch if done daily — the fingertip test is the check, every time.
- Never leave bands in overnight. Take the knot out before bed — sleeping on a banded knot mats the hair underneath, and a band left in for days can tighten.
- Redo it daily. A knot left in for days mats at the roots, and the mat hurts more coming out than the knot did going in.
- Check the skin every day. Pinkness that fades in minutes is normal; redness, soreness, or flaking that does not fade is not. Rest the skin a day or two, and see your vet if it keeps returning.
- Watch puppies and seniors. Puppies’ skin is extra delicate — keep their first knots very loose and short, an hour or two. Seniors may have thinner skin and less patience, so keep it quick and skip the bow.
A top knot should never cause pain. If your dog hates it every time, a short fringe trim from the groomer (typically $60–100 in the US) keeps hair out of their eyes.
Common Mistakes (So You Can Avoid Them)
- Wrapping the band three or four times — two wraps holds; extra wraps only add tightness.
- Using rubber bands — they grip, snap, and tangle.
- Tying over a tangle. Comb first, tie second — a band locks a tangle in.
- Leaving the knot in for days — it mats at the roots. Out at night, fresh next morning.
- Pulling the band off — slide it off or cut it carefully. Yanking teaches your dog to dread it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I tie a Shih Tzu top knot without pulling?
Section a small triangle between the ears, comb it smooth up and back, gather it loosely, and wrap a soft band around it twice. If a fingertip slides under the band, it is loose enough.
What is the best band for a Shih Tzu top knot?
Small, soft, snag-free elastics for small dogs or children — “no-crease” or fabric-covered. Avoid rubber bands: they grip, snap, and tangle into the hair.
How do I keep my Shih Tzu’s top knot in all day?
Take a section wide enough for the band to grip, mist the hair lightly, wrap the band twice, and use a small light bow. Grooming powder on the roots helps if it still slips.
Can I leave a top knot in overnight?
No — take it out before bed and redo it fresh in the morning. A band left in overnight mats the hair underneath and can tighten.
Why does my Shih Tzu keep pawing at her top knot?
It hurts or itches — the knot is too tight, a tangle is underneath, or the bow clip pinches. Take it out, comb through, and re-tie it looser; if she paws at every knot, try the puff or ask for a fringe trim.
Final Thoughts
The Shih Tzu top knot looks fancy, but it is a two-minute habit: a small section, a smooth comb-through, a loose band wrapped twice, and a little bow. Keep it loose, take it out nightly, and check the skin as you go. The prettiest top knot is not the tightest or the tallest — it is the comfortable one your Shih Tzu forgets they are wearing.
