How old is too old to tip ears?

S

SheltieDonna

Forums Novice
Hi! I am new to this forum, but not to Shelties! I have recently adopted a 10 month old Sheltie and was wondering if it's too late to tip his ears? They were tipped originally when I got him 2 months ago, but i didn't keep it up and now I wish I had. Can I do it now? :confused2:
 
You can definitely give it a try. The closer to a year old they get the more set the ears become; teething is a critical time when they really need to be glued if you want the tip.

If you do give it a try you will have to keep them glued down nearly constantly for the next few months. There's no guarantee the tip will hold at this point but you can definitely give it a try.
 
Unfortunately, you've missed the critical teething time so it's less likely that tipping the ears now will work. But as Silaria said, it can't hurt to try. I recommend using glue...it's easier on the dog and for you to do, especially with an older puppy. I like Tear Mender but hair extension glue is good too.

If you want to try something easier, get a bottle of pure glycerin from your pharmacy and rub some on the inside and outside of the tip. Bend it down and massage it once or twice a day. (Apply the glycerin about every other day.) That will soften the ear leather and encourage them to drop.

Good luck!
 
just a thought

I saw a sheltie with pierced ears, and I wondered if they pierced them to weigh down the ear for tipping. It was an older sheltie, my guess is probably around 5 or so. I think it was more than a fashion accessory.

Could it be the times, lots more people have piercings these days, maybe they thought their dog needed to be included:lol:
 
Ann said:
Cut --If you want to try something easier, get a bottle of pure glycerin from your pharmacy and rub some on the inside and outside of the tip. Bend it down and massage it once or twice a day. (Apply the glycerin about every other day.) That will soften the ear leather and encourage them to drop.
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yes, I also believe in this method we got by Alison (?) , and it is gentle to the dog. :yes:
 
Thank you to all that replied!!

His ears were tipped until I got him at approximately 7 months of age....not sure why they didn't stay tipped, will this at least help that they were started earlier on? I like the glycerin idea, he LOVES his ears rubbed!!!
 
SheltieDonna said:
His ears were tipped until I got him at approximately 7 months of age....not sure why they didn't stay tipped, will this at least help that they were started earlier on? I like the glycerin idea, he LOVES his ears rubbed!!!
Click to expand...

I didn't realize they were tipped until he was 7 months...in that case, you have a fighting chance of getting them down! Yes, the glycerin will help...you might want to glue for a month first just to get them going. I switch to the glycerin when they're already tipped to keep them reinforced. But in some countries such as Spain (we got this tip from our member Alonsoe there) -- and Denmark where Hanne is too -- glycerin is all they use so maybe it will work. Keep us posted!
 
The breeder here in Japan recommended using sports tape (the type athletes use for taping up joints and such) and having tried both methods, I prefer the tape method over gluing. Yeah, it's a lil weird because the tape between the ears is visible...but there is much less mess and it can be reset in minutes if needed. (and you can adjust the length between the ears after the fact and tape it in place)

This page has a vid and procedure in English:

http://silvertrailsshelties.com/Eartip.html
 
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