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Paws2Think: Boy Dog Struggles With Ponytail Conundrum

Written by: Scott H
Scott Haiduc is the Director of Publishing for iHeartDogs, iHeartCats and The Hero Company. When not working, Scott spends his time on the farm, taking care of his animals and crops.Read more
| Published on May 4, 2020

Hey friends! Barnaby here. You may not know it, but I’m known around the dog park as the guy you go to for advice.  Maybe it’s because of my slow, southern growl, or maybe it’s because I’ve been around long enough to remember the days that puppies could ride in the front seat on their parents’ laps. Sometimes, I like to go lay under my favorite oak tree in the corner, and the other dogs stop by and ask me for my thoughts. One young pup came by yesterday and asked me this:

“My mom and dad put my hair in a ponytail but I’m a boy! How do I tell them to stop?”

This one is tricky. First, let’s examine the health effects.

Hair Bows Can Have A Lasting Impact On Mental Health

DOGTV recently interviewed a Yorkie who had been the victim of hair bow abuse for years. Here’s what he had to say:

“It started when I was about a year old. My mom took me for my first official haircut and the lady put a bow in my hair. My mom was hooked,” said Spike. “She thought that it was okay because it was a blue blow but the damage was already done. My pride was hurt. The other boys at the dog park wouldn’t let me play with them anymore. They started calling me Susie Spike. The entire thing was traumatizing, all because of a stupid bow.”

PawPrince magazine published a study that found 38% of boy dogs who were forced to wear bows ended up eating a piece of furniture to take out their frustrations. This had a ripple effect where they were reprimanded for the damage, which further frustrated them. Participants in the study reported feeling a sense of disconnect between themselves and their parents, which was only exacerbated by instances of acting out.

Examining The Root Cause

Let’s look at some reasons why they may be subjecting a young boy to this emotional abuse.

  • Is his hair in his eyes? Maybe they are just trying to give him a clear line of sight.
  • Are the parents blind? Maybe they don’t know he’s a boy.
  • Do they carry him in a purse? If so, call for back up. We have bigger problems.

Those are the only logical reasons. Let’s see what you can do about it.

  • Try talking to your mom and dad rationally. Explain to them that you have a right to self-determination, and you are the author of your own story. They may buy you treats, keep you safe, and provide you endless love and affection, but it’s your body, your choice. Cry, whimper, growl, howl… whatever you have to do to get your point across.
  • Try desperately to pull the ponytail out of your hair. This will most certainly result in a knot that will have to be cut out. If you rub hard enough, the knot will be so bad that they have no choice but to cut your hair short. Viola! No hair, no bow!
  • Try to bite them when you see the hair tie coming. I’m not an advocate for violence but sometimes drastic times call for drastic measures. There’s a technique to use when giving a warning nip. You must scare them more than anything. Start by showing your teeth with a slight growl. As they inch closer, increase your growl intensity. If they start stretching the elastic, then it’s time for an air nip. Proceed with extreme caution.

Remember, these people love you. Their hearts are in the right place, but their heads on the other hand? Not so much.

If you know a pup that needs some advice, let me know in the comments!

This is good boy Barnaby signing off. Remember, sticks and stones can break your bones, but bows can only hurt your pride.

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