Ears--gluing vs. taping

Tagging onto this post, is one or the other (tape vs. glue) better for certain kinds of ears? Maybe, glue is better for smaller ears, etc.?

I used glue for Bentley and gave up--didn't know about tape, and he has small ears w/thick cartilage. I felt like I was always making a mess and it didn't look comfortable.

I used tape for Lexi and remember it was also really annoying (it kept coming off!) but she also had big ears. But we kept at it and it worked, at least.
 
I think it's more about your comfort level.

Gluing is pretty easy if you have help. And as Ann said you don't have to cut it out if you have a human grade adhesive remover like Detachol.

The mistake I made with Bacca was not having a second person to hold the dog and not having glue remover so when I over glued, I had no choice but to cut it out. And then I had no fur to glue to! His gluing days were over.

I'm personally having the great debate as Callan has just turned 10 weeks and one of his ears is starting to fly. But he won't be show, so the other side of me says why bother?

But I do like those tipped ears!
 
I've used both glue and tape on several dogs and haven't found that the type of ear makes a difference, although it's certainly possible that it could.

I freely admit that I am just not adept at the tape. I never seem to get it in right, or get it to properly adhere to the ear and in minutes it's coming off. The glue is just more simple for me, and using the method in the tutorial I posted it takes less than 5 minutes. Sticking the hair in front of the ear to the hair at the inside tip keeps it simple ( Ear Gluing for Dummies -- like Moi!) and I've actually had the ears hold for up to three weeks. I also like that it allows some air on the inside of the ear leather.

The toughest part is definitely removal. But if you hold a cotton swab with Zoeze on it for a minute or two the glue softens and becomes gummy and really comes out quite easily. Of course you need a patient dog for that. I've been lucky with mine because they get used to having their ears done from 8 weeks on.
 
used glue with Cran and didn't even go a whole year with his ears....
then started Jocu with glue but since he had two other shelties playing with him and gnawing on his head..... I was gluing like every evening...
then we got introduced to tape and it would last for weeks- loved the tape. we did have some initial issues with getting it to stick but finally got a method going... but Jocu's ears are tough and the local breeder said she wasn't sure that they would tip. they do but just a little - not as pretty as Cran's but ok...
 
So all the Shelties I have seen have had their ears taped/glued? Does it ever occur naturally?
 
So all the Shelties I have seen have had their ears taped/glued? Does it ever occur naturally?

Don't know how often it happens, but many years ago, my one and only had ears that were naturally tipped. They weren't as perfect looking as many I see now that are show dogs, but back then I didn't know about gluing the ears. I just knew I wanted a Sheltie.
 
So all the Shelties I have seen have had their ears taped/glued? Does it ever occur naturally?

Not sure how often--but anecdotally I can tell you that I believe Lexi has naturally tipped ears. We taped them for a bit, but I think they were headed that way no matter what.
 
My first Sheltie had naturally tipped ears. Then my next two were pricked and I couldn't understand what was wrong with them :confused2:. I was on my fourth Sheltie before I figured it out. But yes, it does happen, but I think these days a natural tip is the exception.
 
tipped for a bit

My 1st sheltie had cute tipped ears...until 3ish and then one day they went prick and no efforts tamed them back to their original splendor, ha. My 2nd sheltie, always had perfectly tipped ears, naturally, nothing ever done. Now my 3rd sheltie just hit 12 wks, and I think we have a wonky left ear, headed to prick, so I guess I am gonna try the glue or tape deal as shelties are just more precious looking with the tip...
 
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