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How to Tie a Dog Bandana (3 Fun Styles)

Dog bandanas are one of the easiest ways to make your pup look adorable but if you've never tied one before it can feel a little tricky. Here are three simple ways to style your dog's bandana so they look their best every time.

What You'll Need


Just a bandana and your pup.

Style #1 - The Classic Cowboy


The most iconic dog bandana look. Simple, timeless, and always adorable.

  1. Fold the bandana in half diagonally to form a triangle
  2. Roll or fold the long edge down a few times to create a band
  3. Wrap the band around your dog's neck
  4. Tie a knot or bow at the back of the neck
  5. Let the triangle point hang down on their chest like a classic cowboy kerchief

Best for: everyday wear, walks, and outdoor adventures.

Style #2 - The Folded Collar


For a cleaner, more polished look that sits flat against the neck like a collar.

  1. Fold the bandana in half diagonally to form a triangle
  2. Continue folding from the point upward until you have a long straight band
  3. Wrap snugly around your dog's neck
  4. Tie a neat knot or tuck the ends under for a seamless look
  5. Adjust so it sits flat and comfortable

Best for: a more refined everyday look or dogs who find a way to chew everything.

Style #3 - The Cape


For the pup who was born to be a superhero.

  1. Fold the bandana in half diagonally to form a triangle
  2. Place the triangle point facing down toward their back — not their chest
  3. Bring the two ends around to the front of the neck
  4. Tie a knot or bow at the front
  5. Let the triangle drape over their back like a cape

Best for: photos, special occasions, and dogs who are a little dramatic.

Helpful Tips:

  • Always make sure you can fit two fingers between the bandana and your dog's neck to make sure it's not too tight

  • Supervise your pup while wearing any accessory

  • If your dog is between sizes, size up for a more comfortable fit

  • Machine wash cold and tumble dry low to keep the bandana colors looking their best

Which Size Should I Get?

  • Small (17"×17") - Chihuahuas, Yorkies, Shih Tzus. Neck size 8–12"
  • Medium (21"×21") - French Bulldogs, Beagles, Cocker Spaniels. Neck size 12–16"
  • Large (25"×25") - Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Standard Poodles. Neck size 16–20"

 

Ready to find the perfect bandana for your dog?

Shop the Cozy Haus Dog Days of Summer Collection designed to make every dog look like a model. Free shipping on every order. 🐾

Customer Reviews

Overall rating: 4.9 / 5 from 26 reviews.

Customer photo review of Colorful Mug - Custom Pet Portrait

My mug is so precious! I’m so happy I get to be with my cat again every time I have coffee. I’m also pleasantly surprised that the mug is rather tall. Previous personalized mugs I’ve ordered in the past were quite small.

Colorful Mug - Custom Pet Portrait

Customer photo review of Colorful Mug - Custom Pet Portrait

This mug with a realistic picture of my Golden Retriever Elsa was fabulous! Great job, excellent customer service. A must buy for dog owners. Especially kids!

Colorful Mug - Custom Pet Portrait

Customer photo review of Colorful Mug - Custom Pet Portrait

The entire experience was actually fairly simple…cropped an existing picture and just uploaded to the Cozy Haus website, and proceeded to choose cup size and place the order. I received emails keeping me informed of the progress and providing me with shipping information. The cup arrived within 12 days, just in time for a birthday celebration, in perfect condition. I enthusiastically recommend Cozy Haus.

Colorful Mug - Custom Pet Portrait

Customer photo review of Colorful Mug - Custom Pet Portrait

Already got my Louie mug months ago… loved it so much I decided to get another one as a gift! Phenomenal quality!

Colorful Mug - Custom Pet Portrait

Store owner replied: Hi Justin, thank you so much for returning to Cozy Haus! I'm so happy to hear you love the new mug, what a wonderful gift! 🐶❤️ Stay cozy, Matthew

Customer photo review of Colorful Mug - Custom Pet Portrait

I love having this memento of Gatsby!

Colorful Mug - Custom Pet Portrait

Store owner replied: Hi David, thank you so much! I'm so happy you love your portrait of Gatsby! ❤️🐶 Stay cozy, Matthew

Customer photo review of Colorful Mug - Custom Pet Portrait

I love my mug! The picture is perfect and I am enjoying drinking my morning coffee from it every day

Colorful Mug - Custom Pet Portrait

Store owner replied: Hi Cheryl, thank you so much! I'm so happy you love it ❤️🐶 Enjoy your morning coffee with Sadie! ☕🐶 Stay cozy, Matt

Customer photo review of Colorful Mug - Custom Pet Portrait

I love the pillow and coffee mug with my Lexi girl’s portrait on them. They turned out perfectly! Such a nice job, they look just like her! Thank you!

Colorful Mug - Custom Pet Portrait

Store owner replied: Hi Lynn, thank you for such a kind review! I'm so happy you love your pillow and mug! Lexi was a perfect model for the portrait ❤️🐶 Stay cozy, Matt

Customer photo review of Colorful Mug - Custom Pet Portrait

I love the cup, but I wish it was bigger.

Colorful Mug - Custom Pet Portrait

Store owner replied: Hi Barbara, thank you so much! We do offer a larger 15oz option as well, I'll send you one on us! As a small business owner, having happy customers means the world to me ❤️🐶 Stay cozy, Matthew

Customer photo review of Classic Throw Pillow - Custom Pet Portrait

Love the pillow portrait of my girl, Lexi! It looks just like her! Can’t wait to see the mug when it arrives.

Classic Throw Pillow - Custom Pet Portrait

Store owner replied: Hi Lynn, this made my day! Thank you so much, I'm happy you love it! ❤️ Lexi is adorable and I can't wait for you to see her on the mug too! ☕🐶 Stay cozy, Matt

Customer photo review of Colorful Mug - Custom Pet Portrait

I love waking up in the morning because i get to use my new mug 🥹

Colorful Mug - Custom Pet Portrait

Store owner replied: Hi Andrea, thank you so much! I'm so happy to hear you love your new mug! Enjoy every morning together ☕🐱 Stay cozy, Matthew

Customer photo review of Colorful Mug - Custom Pet Portrait

These turned out super cute and I love that the image is on both sides of the mug. I ordered one for a gift and one for myself and just had to give the gift early so I could use mine!

Colorful Mug - Custom Pet Portrait

Store owner replied: Hi Tricia, thank you so much for the kind words! I'm so happy to hear you love the mugs and couldn't wait to use yours! Enjoy every morning coffee together ☕🐶 Stay cozy, Matthew

Customer photo review of Colorful Mug - Custom Pet Portrait

Thank you

Colorful Mug - Custom Pet Portrait

Store owner replied: Hi Danielle, thank you! Your portrait turned out adorable and looks just like her! Enjoy your coffee together ☕🐱 Stay cozy, Matt

Customer photo review of Colorful Mug - Custom Pet Portrait

The quality and picture came out perfect. Nice to see my little guy again, going to be in the daily coffee rotation from here on out!

Colorful Mug - Custom Pet Portrait

Store owner replied: Hi Justin, thank you so much! This made my whole day, I love to hear it Enjoy every morning coffee with Louie! ☕🐶 Stay cozy, Matt

Love these mugs!!

Colorful Mug - Custom Pet Portrait

Store owner replied: Hi Sandy, thank you so much! I'm so happy to hear you love your new mugs! 🐶☕ Percy is adorable ❤️ Stay cozy, Matthew

Love this mug! It is good quality and the picture turned out nice of our dog. So glad I took the chance and purchased this. It just makes me smile.

Colorful Mug - Custom Pet Portrait

Store owner replied: Hi Gigi, thank you so much! Enjoy every morning coffee with Poppy! ☕🐶❤️ Stay cozy, Matthew

Cute

Colorful Mug - Custom Pet Portrait

Store owner replied: Hi Jo Alice, thank you! I'm so happy you love your new mug! 🐶❤️ Stay cozy, Matthew

I just received my mug and I absolutely love it! It’s well made, the colors are beautiful and the graphics are amazing. The picture looks exactly like Emmy! I’m giving the mug to my Mom for Christmas and I can’t wait. I’ll definitely order more items in the future. Thank you!

Colorful Mug - Custom Pet Portrait

Turned out great and can’t wait to gift it

Colorful Mug - Custom Pet Portrait

Store owner replied: Hi Lee, thank you so much! I'm so happy to hear you love the new mug, what a wonderful gift idea ❤️🐶 Stay cozy, Matthew

loved the gift

Colorful Mug - Custom Pet Portrait

Store owner replied: Hi Nancy, thank you so much! I'm so happy to hear you love your new mug! 🐶❤️ Stay cozy, Matthew

I love the mug. The picture was really nicely done!

Colorful Mug - Custom Pet Portrait

Store owner replied: Hi Susan, thank you very much! I'm so happy you love it ❤️☕ Gracie is adorable! 🐶 Stay cozy, Matthew

Amazing work…we love it!

Colorful Mug - Custom Pet Portrait

Store owner replied: Hi Gretchen, thank you so much for the kind words! I'm so happy you love it! ❤️☕ Osita Rose is adorable! 🐶 Stay cozy, Matthew

Sadly, it’s wayyyyy too small for my coffee fanatic partner and I wanted to give it to him for Father’s Day! Can I get a larger one and send this one back?

Colorful Mug - Custom Pet Portrait

Store owner replied: Hi Renee, I'm so sorry the mug size wasn't quite what you expected! As soon as I saw your review, we connected and I express shipped you a larger 15oz mug at no cost so you'd have the perfect gift for Father's Day ☕ We always want our customers to love their experience with us! ❤️🐶 Stay cozy, Matt

Looks good!

Sticker Sheet - Custom Pet Portrait

Store owner replied: Hi Jill, thank you so much! Enjoy your stickers and morning coffee with Lady Bug! ☕🐶 Stay cozy, Matt

The mugs are awesome. Our Rose will now be with us every morning for coffee ❤️

Colorful Mug - Custom Pet Portrait

Store owner replied: Hi Susan, thank you so much! I'm so grateful to share a special memory with you! That's exactly why I started Cozy Haus ❤️ Enjoy every morning coffee with Rose ☕🐶 Stay cozy, Matthew