How to Keep a Dog Bow Tie Straight and Centered

You put a beautiful bow tie on your dog.

You center it perfectly.

Your dog takes five steps.

And suddenly the bow tie is sitting on the side of their neck.

Sound familiar?

A dog bow tie naturally moves more than a human bow tie because dogs are constantly turning their heads, walking, sitting, shaking, scratching, and exploring.

But if your dog's bow tie is constantly rotating or hanging sideways, there are several things you can check.

In many cases, the problem isn't actually the bow tie.

It's the collar fit, positioning, coat, or overall setup.

Here's how to help keep your dog's bow tie straight, centered, and photo-ready—without making the collar uncomfortably tight.

1. Start with the Correct Collar Size

This is the most important step.

If the collar is significantly too loose, the entire collar can rotate around your dog's neck.

And when the collar rotates, the bow tie rotates with it.

Before worrying about the accessory itself, make sure your dog is wearing the correct collar size.

At LA Dog Store, collar sizes are:

Size	Neck Size	Collar Width
XS	6–8" (15–20 cm)	3/8" (1.0 cm)
S	8–11" (20–28 cm)	3/4" (2.0 cm)
M	11–14" (28–36 cm)	1" (2.5 cm)
L	14–18" (36–46 cm)	1" (2.5 cm)
XL	18–22" (46–56 cm)	1" (2.5 cm)
XXL	22–26" (56–66 cm)	1.5" (3.8 cm)

Sizing Tip: Measure your dog's actual neck before ordering. If your dog falls between sizes, size up.

Don't choose a collar based only on breed or weight.

2. Make Sure the Collar Isn't Too Loose

One of the most common reasons a dog bow tie moves sideways is simple:

The collar has too much room to rotate.

A properly fitted collar should sit securely around the neck without hanging excessively loose.

A commonly used starting point is the two-finger rule.

You should generally be able to slide approximately two fingers comfortably between the collar and your dog's neck.

If there's a large amount of extra space, the collar—and therefore the bow tie—may rotate much more easily.

3. Never Overtighten the Collar Just to Hold the Bow Tie

This is equally important.

You might think:

"If I tighten the collar more, the bow tie won't move."

But appearance should never come before comfort.

The goal isn't to make the collar so tight that it physically can't move.

The goal is:

Correct size + comfortable adjustment + proper bow tie positioning.

A little movement is completely normal.

Your dog isn't a mannequin.

4. Center the Bow Tie Before You Adjust Everything Else

Before putting the collar on your dog, check where the bow tie sits on the collar.

Start with the bow tie approximately centered.

Then put the collar on your dog and make the final adjustment while they're standing or sitting naturally.

Look at your dog from the front.

The center of the bow tie should generally align with the center of the chest.

Don't rely only on looking down from above.

The bow tie can appear centered from your perspective but look noticeably off-center from camera height.

5. Check the Buckle Position

The buckle and hardware affect how the collar sits around the neck.

After fastening the collar, look at the complete arrangement.

Ask:

Is the bow tie centered?
Where is the buckle?
Is the adjustment hardware pulling the collar toward one side?
Does the collar naturally rotate after fastening?

Sometimes a small change in the collar's starting position can improve how everything settles.

6. Let Your Dog Walk Before Taking Photos

Here's a simple trick.

Don't center the bow tie and immediately start photographing.

Instead:

Put the collar on.
Center the bow tie.
Let your dog walk around briefly.
Have them sit.
Check the bow tie again.
Make the final adjustment.

Why?

Because the collar may naturally settle into a slightly different position once your dog starts moving.

It's better to discover that before the important photograph.

7. Long Hair Can Push a Bow Tie Out of Position

Long-haired dogs create a unique challenge.

Thick fur around the neck can push against the bow tie and make it:

Tilt
Rotate
Disappear
Sit unevenly

Before positioning the bow tie, gently arrange the fur around the neck.

Don't aggressively flatten the coat.

Instead, create enough space for the bow tie to sit naturally at the front.

Once positioned, gently bring some fur around—not over—the accessory.

8. Brush the Neck Area First

For long-haired or fluffy dogs, brushing before putting on the collar can make a noticeable difference.

Tangled or uneven fur may push one side of the bow tie outward.

Before an event or photoshoot:

Brush → Collar → Center Bow Tie → Arrange Fur

This sequence usually works better than trying to fix the fur after everything is already in place.

9. Short-Haired Dogs Have a Different Challenge

Short-haired dogs don't have thick fur pushing the bow tie around.

But their collars can sometimes rotate more visibly because there's less coat hiding the movement.

That's why proper collar adjustment becomes particularly noticeable.

The good news?

Bow ties tend to remain highly visible on short coats.

Even small positioning changes are easy to correct.

10. Consider Your Dog's Neck Shape

Not every dog's neck is shaped the same way.

Some dogs have:

Thick necks
Narrow necks
Broad shoulders
Large heads
Compact necks
Tapered neck shapes

That affects how a collar naturally sits.

A bow tie may stay perfectly centered on one dog and shift slightly more on another—even when both collars are properly fitted.

Don't expect completely identical behavior across different breeds and body types.

11. Your Dog's Movement Matters

Some dogs simply move more.

A calm dog sitting for a portrait may keep a bow tie centered for several minutes.

An energetic dog may:

Shake
Run
Roll
Scratch
Turn rapidly
Play with another dog

and move the bow tie within seconds.

That's normal.

For active situations, expect occasional repositioning.

For important photos, simply check the bow tie between shots.

12. A Head Shake Can Move Everything

You know the move.

Your dog suddenly shakes from nose to tail.

Even a perfectly centered bow tie may move afterward.

If you're photographing your dog, get into the habit of doing a quick visual check after:

Head shakes
Scratching
Running
Rolling
Playing
Getting up from the floor

It takes two seconds and can save an otherwise perfect photograph.

13. Check the Bow Tie After Your Dog Sits

The collar can shift slightly as your dog changes position.

For example:

Standing → Sitting

may move the accessory.

If you're preparing for a portrait, position your dog first.

Then make the final bow tie adjustment.

This is especially useful for professional photography.

14. Use the Chest as Your Visual Guide

When you're centering the bow tie, don't focus only on the collar.

Look at the whole dog.

Use the center of the chest as a visual reference.

Imagine a vertical line:

Nose → Center of chest → Front paws

The bow tie should generally sit along that central visual line.

This makes positioning much easier—especially for photographs.

15. Check From Camera Height

This is one of the most useful tricks for getting a dog bow tie centered for photos.

After adjusting it, lower yourself to approximately your dog's eye level.

Look again.

From above, the bow tie may seem perfect.

From the camera's perspective, it may be tilted or partially hidden.

Professional-looking styling should be checked from the angle where the photograph will actually be taken.

16. Use Your Phone Camera as a Quick Test

Before an event or professional photoshoot, take a quick phone photo.

Look specifically at:

Bow tie position
Collar position
Fur
Symmetry
Proportion

Sometimes positioning problems are easier to notice in a photograph than in real life.

If the bow tie looks crooked, adjust it and take another test shot.

17. Make Sure the Bow Tie Isn't Too Large for Your Dog

Accessory proportion matters.

LA Dog Store's standard wedding-style Bow Ties are approximately:

5" × 2.5"

A bow tie that's visually large relative to a dog's neck may naturally feel more noticeable when it tilts slightly.

Before an important event, look at the complete proportions:

Dog + Neck + Collar + Bow Tie

The goal is balance.

18. What About Flower Bow Ties?

LA Dog Store Flower Bow Ties are approximately:

5.5" × 4"

Because they're larger than standard Bow Ties, positioning becomes even more visually important.

Before taking photos:

Center the accessory
Arrange surrounding fur
Check from the front
Let your dog move
Recheck
Make the final adjustment

A larger accessory can create a beautiful focal point, but small shifts may also be more visible.

19. Don't Keep Adjusting While Your Dog Is Moving

Trying to center a bow tie while your dog is walking around usually becomes frustrating.

Instead:

Ask your dog to sit or stand.
Reward calm behavior.
Adjust the collar.
Center the bow tie.
Step back.
Check from the front.

Make one controlled adjustment rather than constantly pulling the bow tie from side to side.

20. Practice Before a Wedding or Special Event

If your dog will wear a bow tie for a wedding, birthday, family portrait, or another important occasion, don't wait until the event to test everything.

Try the complete setup beforehand.

Let your dog wear it for a short period.

Watch what happens.

Does the bow tie:

Stay centered?
Tilt slightly?
Rotate completely?
Become hidden by fur?
Bother your dog?

A practice session gives you time to solve these small issues without pressure.

21. For Wedding Photos, Assign Someone to Check the Bow Tie

Wedding days are busy.

The photographer is working.

People are moving.

Your dog is excited.

And nobody notices that the bow tie has rotated 90 degrees.

An easy solution is to ask one person to do a quick accessory check before important dog photos.

They can check:

Bow Tie → Collar → Fur → Position

Then step away before the photographer takes the shot.

It takes seconds.

22. Check the Bow Tie Before Group Photos

When your dog is included in family or wedding group photographs, positioning becomes even more important.

Before everyone looks at the camera:

Position the dog.
Center the bow tie.
Arrange the fur.
Check the collar.
Step away.
Take the photograph.

Trying to correct the accessory after everyone is already posed wastes time.

Prepare the dog first.

23. Don't Chase Perfect Symmetry During Normal Wear

There's an important distinction between:

Photo-ready

and

Everyday movement.

During a portrait, you may want the bow tie perfectly centered.

During normal wear, some movement is natural.

Dogs turn their heads.

They scratch.

They run.

They lie down.

A bow tie doesn't need to remain mathematically centered every second to look good.

Save perfection for the photograph.

24. Check for Fur Caught Around the Collar

Sometimes the bow tie appears crooked because the collar itself isn't sitting evenly.

Long fur may become trapped:

Under the collar
Near the buckle
Around the adjustment hardware
Behind the bow tie

Run your fingers gently around the collar and free any trapped fur.

Then center the bow tie again.

25. Check the Collar After Grooming

A major haircut can change how a collar sits.

If your dog has long or thick fur, a collar adjusted before grooming may become noticeably looser afterward.

That extra movement can cause the bow tie to rotate more frequently.

After grooming:

Recheck the collar fit.

Don't assume the old adjustment is still correct.

26. Weight Changes Can Affect Bow Tie Position Too

If your dog gains or loses weight, neck circumference may change.

A previously well-fitted collar may become:

Too loose
Too tight

If you suddenly notice the bow tie rotating more than usual, check the collar fit again.

The bow tie may not be the problem at all.

27. Don't Forget Comfort During Long Events

At a wedding or event, your dog may wear the collar and bow tie much longer than they would for a quick photo.

Periodically check:

Collar fit
Skin
Fur
Accessory position
Your dog's behavior

If your dog appears uncomfortable, don't keep tightening or repositioning the accessory just for appearance.

Comfort comes first.

28. How to Center a Dog Bow Tie for a Photo in 30 Seconds

Need a quick routine?

Use this:

Step 1

Have your dog sit or stand.

Step 2

Check collar fit.

Step 3

Find the center of the dog's chest.

Step 4

Move the bow tie to the center.

Step 5

Arrange fur around it.

Step 6

Step back and look from the front.

Step 7

Check through your camera.

Step 8

Take the photo before the next head shake!

Simple.

Common Reasons a Dog Bow Tie Keeps Moving

If you're still having trouble, check these common causes:

Collar Too Loose

The entire collar rotates.

Incorrect Collar Size

The adjustment range may not be appropriate for your dog's neck.

Thick or Uneven Fur

The coat pushes the accessory to one side.

Recent Grooming

The collar may now fit differently.

Very Active Dog

Normal movement repeatedly shifts the accessory.

Head Shaking

Even a correctly positioned bow tie can move.

Body and Neck Shape

Some dogs naturally experience more collar rotation than others.

Accessory Proportion

A larger decorative accessory may make small shifts more obvious.

Finding the cause is much better than simply tightening the collar.

Bow Tie Photo Checklist

Before taking the picture:

✓ Correct collar size

✓ Comfortable collar fit

✓ Bow tie centered with the chest

✓ Buckle positioned properly

✓ No trapped fur

✓ Long fur arranged around the accessory

✓ Dog already sitting or standing

✓ Checked from camera height

✓ Rechecked after head shaking

✓ Dog comfortable and relaxed

Now you're ready.

LA Dog Store Bow Tie Styling

LA Dog Store offers handmade Bow Tie Collars designed to combine a polished accessory with an adjustable Vegan Leather collar.

With a wide selection of collar colors, you can choose a combination that suits:

Your dog's coat
Personality
Wedding colors
Family outfits
Photography background
Season
Special occasion

Available collar colors include:

Apricot Orange, Black, Blue Light, Blush, Champagne, Citrus, Copper, Dusty Blue, Dusty Olive, Emerald Green, Gold, Gray, Green, Ivory, Lilac, Mint, Navy, Purple, Raspberry Rose, Red, River Blue, Rose Gold, Royal Blue, Sage Green, Silver, Soft Pink, Tan, Teal Blue, White (Crystal Buckle), and White (Plain Buckle).

Once you've chosen the style, proper sizing and positioning will help the Bow Tie look its best.

Conclusion

If your dog's bow tie keeps sliding sideways, don't immediately blame the bow tie—and don't simply tighten the collar.

Start with the basics.

Choose the correct collar size.

Adjust it comfortably.

Center the Bow Tie with your dog's chest.

Arrange long fur around it.

Let your dog move before making the final adjustment.

And when you're taking an important photograph, check the Bow Tie again from camera height immediately before the shot.

Some movement will always be normal.

Dogs aren't standing still all day, and their accessories move with them.

The goal isn't to keep a Bow Tie perfectly centered every second.

It's to create a comfortable setup that's easy to straighten when it matters.

For weddings, birthdays, family portraits, and professional photography, a quick final adjustment can make the difference between a Bow Tie that's almost right—and one that's perfectly photo-ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my dog's bow tie keep moving to the side?

The most common reasons include a loose collar, incorrect collar size, normal dog movement, thick fur, neck shape, or changes in fit after grooming or weight changes.

How can I keep my dog's bow tie centered?

Start with the correct collar size and comfortable fit. Center the Bow Tie with your dog's chest, arrange surrounding fur, let your dog move briefly, and then make a final adjustment.

Should I tighten my dog's collar to keep the bow tie straight?

No. Don't overtighten a collar simply to prevent the Bow Tie from moving. Proper sizing and comfortable adjustment should come first.

How tight should a dog bow tie collar be?

A commonly used guideline is to allow approximately two fingers between the collar and your dog's neck. It should be secure without pressing tightly.

How do I keep a bow tie visible on a long-haired dog?

Brush and arrange the fur around the neck before positioning the Bow Tie. Gently move fur away from the front of the accessory instead of tightening the collar.

Why does my dog's bow tie move after grooming?

A significant haircut can change how the collar fits around the neck. Recheck and readjust the collar after grooming.

How do I center a dog bow tie for professional photos?

Position your dog first, align the Bow Tie with the center of the chest, arrange the fur, and then check the accessory from the photographer's camera height.

Will a dog bow tie stay perfectly centered all day?

Probably not. Dogs naturally move, shake, scratch, sit, and turn their heads. Some movement is normal, so simply recheck and reposition the Bow Tie before important photos.