3961 South Highway 48 Mannford, OK 74044 Phone: 918-865-2700

Occasionally shepherds need assistance getting their ears to stand in an erect position. This occurs often with larger puppies, who's ears are to heavy for the cartilage to stiffen correctly in an upright position. Below are instructions in taping puppies ears. If after taping your puppies ears the ears become inflamed or infected consult your veterinarian. Do not resume the taping process until the ears have healed.

 

Supplies needed: Cardboard, scissors, 3M Weatherstrip adhesive, Duct tape, and an assistant. First cut two inserts to form inside the ears as seen above. Then cup the inserts as seen below to conform to the concave shape of the ears. Liberally apply the adhesive to the convex side of the inserts. Allow 3 minutes for the adhesive to get tacky.

Then glue the inserts as seen below into the ears while the assistant holds the puppy still. Allow time for the inserts to setup before moving on to the next step. While the inserts are drying you will need to occasionally apply pressure to the insert and reposition to fit properly.

The next step involves taping the to ears together by first affixing a piece of 2.5-inch piece of duct tape to the sticky side of a approximately four-inch long strip of duct tape as shown below.

Next liberally apply adhesive to the exposed sticky side of the duct tape. Allow time for the adhesive to start to setup and become tacky. The assistant should hold the ears in the appropriate position as shown below. Then glue the tape to the back of the ears as shown below.

Congratulations, you should have by this time successfully taped your puppies ears. Allow the inserts and tape to fall off naturally. If the tape or insert is hanging loose then the loose portion should be removed as not to add additional weight to the ears. The insert and taping process should be repeated until the ears stand without assistance. Many time the ears will stand for a couple of days and then fall down again. When they fall this entire process should be repeated as soon as possible so that any progress gained is not lost.