What age to start ear tipping?

Our Macie has the prick ears. They were tipped when we first got her at 14 weeks and I didn't keep them taped down for about a month or so. Finally it was more hassle than it was worth. She was constantly pawing at her ears. Since she wasn't show quality I said forget it! So she has these big ole german shepherd looking ears. :biggrin2:
 
I just got my little boy last week - going to start taping his ears today or tomorrow - he's 9 weeks old now. one ear is naturally tipped for now and the other is up so i hope i'm not too late.

anyway, how long do you keep them taped for ? thanks
 
pogo said:
anyway, how long do you keep them taped for ? thanks
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Until their first birthday is ideal. You'll need to change the tapes and make adjustments as the puppy grows, of course, but his ears should not be out for more than two days at a time.

Of course, if you're not showing the puppy, the answer really is "until you (or the puppy) run out of steam". It's your choice as to how much effort you want to put into the ears.
 
pogo said:
I just got my little boy last week - going to start taping his ears today or tomorrow - he's 9 weeks old now. one ear is naturally tipped for now and the other is up so i hope i'm not too late.

anyway, how long do you keep them taped for ? thanks
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Did your breeder not send you home with instructions? And already glued ears?

If not, that's a real shame.

Tipped ears is a personal choice for non-show dogs. I personally prefer it and would keep it up. I was not successful at it myself. But if I ever get another baby again, I now know what to do.
 
BarbV said:
Did your breeder not send you home with instructions? And already glued ears?

If not, that's a real shame.

Tipped ears is a personal choice for non-show dogs. I personally prefer it and would keep it up. I was not successful at it myself. But if I ever get another baby again, I now know what to do.
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She didnt - and they werent done. She said she doesnt do them until they're 12 weeks old.
I tried today to tape them down using the japanese tape I purchased from triumph shelties but the ear didnt stay stuck to the tape.
I dont think the adhesive is aggressive enough? Or maybe I'm doing something wrong with the japanese tape? I may get different first aid tape by 3M that I know from experience is really really sticky. Super aggressive adhesive.
 
pogo said:
She didnt - and they werent done. She said she doesnt do them until they're 12 weeks old.
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Hmm - we glue the ears up as soon as there's enough hair to do so (about 4 weeks) and tape them as soon as there's enough ear (9 weeks or so).

pogo said:
I tried today to tape them down using the japanese tape I purchased from triumph shelties but the ear didnt stay stuck to the tape.
I dont think the adhesive is aggressive enough? Or maybe I'm doing something wrong with the japanese tape? I may get different first aid tape by 3M that I know from experience is really really sticky. Super aggressive adhesive.
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The Japanese tape is all you need. Remember, you also want the tape to come off eventually, without hurting the puppy, and "super-aggressive" adhesives might be too much!

To help the tape stick...
- Trim away any hair that would come between the tape and the ear (you don't have to go crazy, but do neaten it up and make sure there aren't any stray hairs getting trapped in there)
- Make sure the ear is very clean - give it a few good firm wipes with a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol.
- When you lay down the "base tapes" against the skin, hold them there with your thumbs for a few seconds. This warms the adhesive and helps it to stick.

Here's a diagram my mother made detailing how we do ears with Japanese tape and yarn. This both braces the ears (pulls them together) and tips them. It does take some practice to get the hang of it, but you can do it! (And it can stay!)
 
tofu pup said:
To help the tape stick...
- Trim away any hair that would come between the tape and the ear (you don't have to go crazy, but do neaten it up and make sure there aren't any stray hairs getting trapped in there)
- Make sure the ear is very clean - give it a few good firm wipes with a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol.
- When you lay down the "base tapes" against the skin, hold them there with your thumbs for a few seconds. This warms the adhesive and helps it to stick.

Here's a diagram my mother made detailing how we do ears with Japanese tape and yarn. This both braces the ears (pulls them together) and tips them. It does take some practice to get the hang of it, but you can do it! (And it can stay!)
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She has some great ideas...I just wanted to add to them (feel free to search the forum for "Japanese tape" to read some other ideas... I know I struggled for awhile!)

After you clean out the ears, make sure to give them plenty of time to fully dry out before you try to stick the tape. You might also want to work on them when puppy is very tired, so you can hold the tape in a bit longer.
 
My pups came with their ears glued at 8 weeks.

We used the glue, not the japanese tape and kept it on for almost 1 year. Maybe 11 months?
 
corbinam said:
After you clean out the ears, make sure to give them plenty of time to fully dry out before you try to stick the tape. You might also want to work on them when puppy is very tired, so you can hold the tape in a bit longer.
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Excellent tip Ashley. After I cleaned Bailey's ears with rubbing alcohol, I let her ears dry for at least 45 mins before I put the tape in. Once the tape is in, put pressure on the ear tips with your fingers for a good 30 seconds. Then, give the puppy a tasty bone, so he has something that will make him forget his ears were just taped. Otherwise, he might try to scratch them out. I kept taping Bailey's ears until she was one years old.

here's a fantastic video demonstration on how to tip ears:
http://silvertrailsshelties.com/Eartip.html
 
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