Fleetwood's ears are a disaster. Help? (dobe people?)

They've been curling at the tips since I got him. It wasn't so bad then, but it's continually gotten worse. He's 4.5 months old now. They stand very well, until I try some new gadget that makes his ears so heavy that they fall.

Now, when I take the tape of after posting for 5 days, they curl back within minutes. I spoke to the breeder, and she thinks that his ears were cut too long. I think so too. The breeder asked me to have his ears re-cropped about a week ago (that's what she did with the puppy she kept) and I said no.

I went to a vet that specializes in doberman style crops, and he told me that I can continue to try, but they'll probably stay like that. He told me to stop trying after about the 5 month mark. He'd rather Fleetwood look funny than be head-shy.

I've tried using Mole skin, but I don't really know what to do with it. It actually helped quite a bit when I folded a 4 inch piece over the tips of his ears, keeping them straight, but then I had to tape the bases as well to keep them standing (which the vet said I WOULDN"T have to do). I tried the breathe-right strips, but they didn't stick well enough. Posting them straight doesn't do anything anymore.

From the time I got him, the breeder had me post them up, and tape the tips forward so they WOULDN'T curl backwards-- It didn't help.

I really don't care what his ears look like, since I won't be showing him, but I'm afraid that exposing the inside of the ear like that can cause problems in the future. Is there any hope? HELP! Suggestions?

Here's a picture-- I can post more upon request.


ETA: The photo was taken just hours after un-posting them from a straight-post for 5 days.

I just wanted to say his ears are freaking adorable, even if they aren't "correct" <3

I don't think the curling will actually hurt the ears, health wise. Maybe a slight increased chance of ear infections, but regular cleaning will probably keep that at bay.

I'd continue with the firm supports until he's done teething. IMO these ears can still be saved.

Basically you shave the inner part of the ear and put in a glue support. I like the pipe insulation method but I have seen a variety of plastics and even thin wall cardboard used. It's easy, you can do it from home, and it's really not very stressful on the dog.

I just wanted to second this.

To get the breath-rite strips to work you need to glue them in using surgical glue. Since your only problem is the tips, I recommend continuing with the strips but shave the inside of the ear where you apply the strips and glue those suckers in!

Amazon.com: Skin Bond Latex Adhesive: OSTO-BOND SKIN BONDING CEMENT, 4 OZ. CAN W/BRUSH: Health & Personal Care

Are you supplementing with Vitamin C or Ester C? If not... start. His size... probably 1000mg twice a day at least. You can't overdose on it, don't worry.

Oh - and do NOT stop at 5 months. Ears weaken during teething, and since the strips ar fairly noninvasive you can continue using them as long as you wish. If you see any improvement at all, it may not be until he's done teething (so like a year of age.)

I'm sorry I have no experience with cropping and no advice but he's so cute and we NEED more pics of him right now!

Thanks guys! Does anybody have a diagram or picture of how I should post them? I wanted to add, too, that his ears aren't just 'falling' back. The cartilage in his ears are firm in that position.

Anyway, I'll see if I can find some adhesive locally. I read somewhere that I could use Fabric glue as well.

I'm worried that if the ears stay like that, that exposed part will become dry, or sunburned, or frostbitten in the cold. That could be a silly fear, I don't know

The tips shouldn't be in any danger - they'd be the same thickness and have the same vulnerability if they were straight.

You'll want to position one end of the strip on the part of the ear that is standing correctly, and the rest of it on the part that needs help.

Sorry to go OT but...

Freaking. Adorable. I forgot we had a Beauceron puppy on this board and now I'm off to look for more of your pics...

As far as what glue to use I'd avoid fabric glues other than Tear Mender (which is latex based). I've tried others on Logan and it's a waste of time and money. The Tear Mender works like a charm. Different application, but they're still ears

:rofl1: Thanks for this. Here I was thinking that is one hairy dobe.

Yes, and make sure it's actually Tear Mender.... All the bottles look the same and it gets very confusing if you're not good at remembering names, and everything else is TRUELY a waste.

It's really awesome, though, it stays on Keegan's ears for 2-4 weeks. It's a good fabric glue, too, a glop of it will stay on your jeans for at LEAST 10 washes.

And I agree, we need more PICTURES!

Dont stop. After a year old, then they might be unsaveable. Personaly I love tampons for posting. Make sure the post is longer than his ear. Or Breath Right strips could work, depending on how bad it is.

here is a great posting guide..
(with tampons)
Posting Puppy Ears

Guys I don't think posting whole-ear will help in this situation - it's only his tips and it sounds like they've started getting solid up there.

If it were me, I'd keep on posting with the tampons, even though it is just the tips. That post lends a lot more support for the whole "structure."

Can someone post a link or a diagram or instructions on posting with tampons? I was using foam pipe insulation, and I'm not exactly sure how the tampons would work... LOL!

Anyway, I'll order some glue online. I went looking for tear mender last night, and couldn't find it.

Posting Puppy Ears

Fran just posted this up a little above you.

Oh-- Sorry Fran! Didn't notice your post! I just looked Tear mender up on google, and supposedly the Kmart down the street sells it.