Thinning top of a bushy tail

[Sugar Plum]

Not wanting to cut or pull the hair at the top of the tail which gives me no other options, hoping someone has a magic trick they could share. I am wanting to encourage a full tail all the way down but the top of his tail is now 'spreading' out a bit at the top rather than growing down. I have given it a chance to grow down but so far no luck with this - does the top of the tail not grow out to join the rest of the tail?
Hoping someone can help, just not wanting what I call a 'showing tail' where the tail in the area of the dock is cut close to it

 

[vmac66]

I use a tail rake just to tidy the sides up. Has a better shape then.

 

[eggs]

I use a tail rake too down the sides at the top of the dock.

 

[PapaverFollis]

I'm not quite sure what you want to happen. The hair at the top of the tail tends to stay a bit shorter. It's just how tails are. If you want a sleek none fluffy look you'll have to rake or pull. If you want to temporarily neaten in you could apply hair gel or just dampen, then put a tail bandage on for a short while. When you remove the bandage you should have a neat tail. But it won't stay that way.

 

[twobearsarthur]

I'm not quite sure what you want to happen. The hair at the top of the tail tends to stay a bit shorter. It's just how tails are. If you want a sleek none fluffy look you'll have to rake or pull. If you want to temporarily neaten in you could apply hair gel or just dampen, then put a tail bandage on for a short while. When you remove the bandage you should have a neat tail. But it won't stay that way.

This. The hairs at the top of the tail won’t grow to be the same length as the longest part I’m afraid they’ll always be somewhat shorter and “spread out” that’s just how they are. You can dampen it or use some plaiting spray to minimise the spreading out and make it look neater if you don’t want to rake it or pull it.

 

[Leandy]

Well its naturally shorter hair at the top of a tail but it is only going to get longer if you leave it alone so I'm not sure what look you are after? If you pull, rake or whatever to artificially shorten it, the only way to get the really smart look is regular use of a tail bandage to flatten it down or it will look like a bottle brush! Personally, I pull but it does require maintenance.