How do I get my doberman's ear to stand after the vet nipped it?

by Tracy R.
(Apopka,Fl)

I had my Doberman Pinscher's ears cropped. The first time the vet took her tape off he used scissors to cut. He seemed as though he was rushing. As he was cutting the tape he nipped her ear.

During the whole healing process the ears got infected because she had a cone on. The vet put her on meds and a topical cream. That cleared up but she then broke her leg!! We have no clue as to how it happened. We had a family emergency and had to rush to the hospital, the next thing we know her leg is broken. So, my poor baby has been through a lot.

I have been serious about doing the right thing for her. I exercise her daily, she has a healthy diet, I massage her ear. I even gave her cottage cheese to help. Her ear has been taped many ways and we have tried taping for a certain amount of time then letting it down for a day or so. She had scabs from trying to get the tape off so we were trying to give the ear air to make sure it was healing and didn't get infected again. They have healed up pretty decently, however her ear won't stay up. It almost seems like she puts it up when she wants to but doesn't try any other time.

At times it looks hopeful and other times not so much. I don't know what else to do. I feel guilty for having them done b/c if it doesn't stand all that she went through would be in vain. By the way she is 8 months. Do you have any suggestions?





i Tracy
I'm sorry to hear about the difficulties your poor pup (and you) have been going through, I'm sure it's been very stressful for all of you.
http://leerburg.com/tapingears.htm

Generally by this age, a puppy's ears should be 'up' if that is the way they are going to remain, however given all the stresses and difficulties your pup has been through it's possible that hers will still settle down (but in an upright position!) given a little more time.

A pups' ears are very sensitive to their owners emotional state and even once the puppy is beyond the teething stage (up to around 6 - 7 months old) they can go up and down depending on the anxiety level of the puppy. This can occasionally continue into adulthood when a mature dog's ears will stick out, drop down or fly backwards when she is stressed, anxious, angry or over-excited. But they are normally held correctly in calm situations.

Unfortunately there are no guarantees with this, and only time will tell whether or not your puppy's ears are going to be held upright or not. I do understand that you feel she has been through a lot in order for her ear-set to be correct, but honestly she doesn't care! If after your best efforts her ears still don't 'behave' I personally would just accept that and move on. Unless she was destined to be a show dog it's really of no great consequence. She's still the same wonderful pet no matter how her ears sit.

There is an excellent website which is dedicated to GSD's, but that also contains a wealth of really good information on puppy and dog care in general. There is an article that discusses ear taping here... Taping Ears and I think you might find it helpful and interesting.

I wish I could help more, but as long as your puppy is happy, healthy and well-loved I would suggest trying not to be too obsessed over her ear-set and focus on her awesome looks and personality in every other way. I wish you lots of luck.