A little help with the ears

[missjenneygirl]

And one more thing!

For people that don't know what a "flyer" is, as in Dr. Shelli's post, it refers to the term "puppy flyer"... A puppy who finishes their Championship before turning 1 year old. Meaning, in 6 months of showing, and probably in the puppy classes only, "flew" through the competition and finished their Championship.

It is very hard to do, and the puppies that do it, are usually outstanding in some way. That is awesome for Jamie!

 

[Aynesa]

I think Prize is already UKC pointed.

he's never been in a UKC show (So his breeder told me). He went to an AKC show once and took reserve win...

and yes, I know that as they are they would never pass muster. She said she'd tape/glue them beforehand, and I am not looking for (Well, let me rephrase: I don't EXPECT) a permanent fix... but I'm sure that I can make them better for the shows, even if they're always gonna be a little funny.

But, I found out tonight he likes to howl, even though he's debarked!

 

[Aynesa]

I think all three babes are beautiful and they look happy together

That they are! The sable is my Kit, and the boy in the middle is my son Lucas, who claims Prize as 'his dog'. He's started agility with Prize already, and they're doing shockingly well together! They've got another class tomorrow! I sometimes take Kit, but he's such a diva. He's willing, but doesn't love running through the obstacles. He prefers to stand and pose pretty for his treats.... but man, when he does!

It's okay, I mostly do it because Lucas is going with Prize. I take Kit for the sheer fun of it. If he continues to not like it once he gets used to it, I'll probably bring a book instead and let Luc have his fun! Kit's only been to 2 classes.

But you can see, his ears break low. Ears are my bane. But I love my dogs first and foremost, no matter what they look like.... I just PREFER to go in the ring with them now and then, too! I know Prize's ears will never be perfect, but I'd like to get them 'better', even temporarily...

 

[Aynesa]

For the show ring... his ears will have to be weighted... http://www.wicketsbymel.com/EarLoadingProducts.html

You need to use the paste... very lightly. I've heard some people say horses hooflex works just as well. Add just a tad of paste on the tip of the ear... and then pack the powder in. It's hard to explain how to do it just right... as you need to put the lightest amount needed as you will be faulted by a judge if they realize the ears are weighted. Best thing to do is get a handler to show you how to do it.
A lot of show shelties are done this way. But, the best thing to do is train the ears correctly as a pup.

THAT'S what I was looking for... and afraid of. I've already ordered the ear loading products (And double sided tape ) These instructions are hugely helpful. Thanks a million! There's plenty of tutorials for how to glue/tape/brace ears, but very little for explaining how to LOAD ears.... pup training is out. That ship sailed long ago, and he wasn't mine.

Now the second part of my question, by doing this will the ears get stronger and thus the problem 'compound'?

As far as starting/showing him... he's taken reserve in the one show he went into, so there's something there for sure. I'll have him out there in February and hopefully get some other opinions, but I think it'll be okay, even if I do need to learn to 'load'

 

[Aynesa]

Lightplum is absolutely correct. This is just not true. Many breeders don't even bring a dog out until age two when it has outgrown the awkward teenage stage. I don't know where you are getting your information from, but we should not be discouraging new people with misinformation.

I'm not discouraged, and I welcome all input and criticisms, good and bad. This is a journey and yes, I am learning. I will say that Prize was sold to me by a breeder who had intended to keep him, but felt she had to let him go because he no longer got along with her tiny puppies. Even then she was adamant about retaining a contract guaranteeing breeding rights to him, which I consented to. There's actually an enormous story behind this, but I don't want to get into that here. :

However, he's been in the show ring before, did well, and has been evaluated. He's still in his awkward teenage phase, but I think he's going to mature gorgeously. I'm not a professional handler out every weekend. I'm just a lady who loves my dogs and happens to have a couple of gorgeous beasties! I love my War Shelties

One of those professional handlers earlier this year told me it was highly uncommon for any dog to finish before the fourth or even fifth birthday. My sable's breeder told me she didn't worry about it until they were as old as 6. Of course, the reason that came up is that I was getting discouraged that I had no points after showing Kit for a full year. I pulled him out for several months and did other things, now we're heading to the Santiago Specialties next month, where I'm introducing a friend to showing. She's been taking Kit to handling classes. But man am I digressing....

 

[Aynesa]

Ok, I'll shuddup. But the advice in this thread seems contrary to all the "ear tipping" threads, which basicly say get it done by 1 year or give up. Did I miss something?

@Barb-- I don't think you're wrong Barb, but I got Prize about a month ago. He's 20 months now, so I got him way past the time when his ears could have been braced and trained up right. Which is why I started this thread. They weren't the standard prick ears, nor the low breaking ears, so I wasn't sure what to do. Brace them somehow, or load them, or what.

@Connie-- okay, so loading in the show ring itself, probably not the ideal situation. If I must, make sure it really truly is undetectable. Got it. I'm interested in looking into that softening product though. It seems like they WANT to tip. Right now I have moleskin on the tips of them and they're tipped over, though I could wish for somewhat more (Speed sew coming in soon!)

But I'm understanding what (most) everyone thinks, that if I keep them taped/braced/loaded, but tipped in whatever way and really keep on top of it, his ears MIGHT improve/tip over given time?

and that keeping them taped/glued between shows is an absolute must?

 

[Ann]

First, I've learned almost everything I know about ears from my mentor, missjennygirl, whose dogs' ears are a thing of beauty, so you can't go wrong searching this Forum for her posts on tipping ears.

The product I mentioned is one I use in between glueing the ears (I started glueing when my girl decided she'd had enough of taping and wouldn't keep tape in for a day). Before I reglue, I wash the ears with mild soap and let them dry, then apply the Ears Beautiful cream. The next day I clean with alcohol and reglue. Years ago I'm told there was a similar product made by a Sheltie lady who doesn't make it any more and won't give anyone the formula. Ears Beautiful is a light emollient -- I've tried Bag Balm, glycerin, Aquaphor -- all greasy and none did anything. This cream does seem to help! I was able to order it here in the states, but it isn't easy to find. Here's one link from the UK: http://www.petcetera.co.uk/grooming/ear-care/81528-cherry-knoll-ears-beautiful-each.html

BUT...you must keep them glued or taped all the time otherwise. I don't know that it will work; as others have said, you are starting late with your boy. But it might help, so it can't hurt to try. Just my thoughts!

 

[Aynesa]

Thank you Ann, that is enormously helpful! I just ordered the 'ears beautiful' creme (Though I found an American distributor)

 

[Tabitha]

I've had the same trouble with my shelties ears, and I've found that if you brace them for about 1 to 3 week(s) the ears will stay tipped for 1/2 a day maybe longer or shorter depending on the dog although the proses may mean trimming the ear hair which might ruin them for the ring until the hair grows back.




For my dogs I use Zonas or Japanese tape and Tear Mender glue



What you could do clean the ears with alcohol, put a piece of tape running up and down the inside of the ear and glue the tape down instead of the ear to prevent loosing the ear hair. Play with it for a few days and see how long the ears need to be taped down to make them stay for a day or at least a few hours then a few minuets before going in the ring, wet the tape to loosen it, take it out, and let the dogs ears relax. Then after the show put them back up and keep them up until they stay.




Keep in mind that it is probably to late, but in my opinion its worth a try.




I really hope this helped

Tabitha

 

[Samba]

Ears, ears, ears. My 17 month old has one ear that wants to fly up. It does tip at times. If I keep the bait low and he looks down, it's pretty good. I think I will have to fudge around with it for showing.

I have Shelties with sticky up ears trying to tip over and German Shepherds with tipped ears I am trying to make stand.

I get tired of ear interventions!