You’ll need a comb, something to part the hair with such as a knitting needle or pencil, several small rubber bands, and a bow. It helps if your dog is taught to lie down with his chin resting on a small pillow while you work on him. Here’s how to make an everyday top knot for Yorkies:

1. Comb the hair on the head so it falls naturally.
2. Make a part from the outer corner of the eye to the inner corner of the ear on that side. Do the same on the other side.
3. Comb the hair upward and then backward between the ears.
4. Place a latex band near the base to hold it in place. You can add a bow or barrette to the latex band for looks.
5. Gently use the knitting needle to pull the hair in the area of the forehead forward so it’s not pulled tight, but instead goes forward in a little pouf.
6. If your dog has long hair in his top knot, you can do this additional step, adding the bow afterward: Gather the long strand and fold it back on itself, placing another latex band over the same place as the first, this time with the additional piece tucked in. However, don’t leave this in for long because the second latex band is more likely to break the coat.
7. Whenever you remove a latex band, cut it out, don’t pull it out. Pulling it out almost always takes coat with it.