How to tape your puppy’s ears.

Correct Ears.

incorrect ears (fly ears or rose ears).

Ears can only be corrected during teething. If you wait past teething it is too late and the cartilage is already set.

I use a cloth tape. ONLY a cloth breathable tape. Other tapes can and will cause ear or skin infections and some will rip out hair. ANY taped ear can lead to a skin or ear infection so be watchful no matter what tape you use!

When you tape your puppy’s ears, only leave the tape on for up to four days at a time. Then take it off for at least two days so that the ears can breath.

Check your taped ears daily to make sure they are not causing infection or soars.

Now, let’s get started.

This is the tape I use:

I take off two strips. One for each ear about eight inches long.

You may need help holding your puppy still. I can do this by myself. But, it can be difficult.

Take one strip of tape and start it deep into the puppies inside flap of the ear and apply it all the way to the tip.

Do this on both ears.

See the tape on both ears? It hangs off the end of the ear about three to four inches. Now, take both ends of tape and over lap them under the chin. Sticky side of one tape onto the non-sticky side of the other tape. This part is VERY important. This is where you SET the ears.

Make sure you got the crease out of the ear and pull them down into the correct ear set. Not too far down or you will break down the top ear cartilage.

You will know you have it right when you put the tape together under the chin and you can fit two fingers sideways between the tape and the dogs chin and when you call the dog into good expression (use a squeaky toy or something) and they can perk their ears correctly. The ears should look correct and the tape is not too tight. The only exception to this is if your puppies ears lay to far away from the head or are set too high then you will want the tape to be slightly more snug, but still be able to comfortably put your figures between the tape and chin.

This is how that step should look. There will be sticky tape on the bottom. ( what you can see facing you here) But not sticky to the dogs fur.

Here is what it looks like from the top.

Now, take your tape and you are going to take it all the way around the dogs head. This piece is what secures the tape in place and “helps” to keep the dog from removing it. If your dog does remove it………do it again and use a bit more tape around the dogs head. Two wraps instead of one. You may have to replace the tape daily if your dog is bad about it. But, try to keep them taped for four days.

This is what it should look like done.

Some dogs adjust to this OK. Some don’t and will do their best to remove it. If they do, you may need to put on a bell collar like they use at the vets to keep them from scratching at it.

Just make sure you check your taped ears daily for any signs of infection. If there is any……….remove the tape and let them air out. Clean the ears weekly with ear cleaner and cotton balls.

Do not tape them again if they get an infection! Have them checked by your veterinarian.

I tried taping coins to my dog’s ears once and every time they shook their heads they beat themselves with them and the coins would go flying across the room. LOL!!

Gluing never worked for me either, it never stuck like it should and it would rip skin away when it did come loose.

There are many methods of fixing ears. This is what I found works best for me.

If you need more help, email me at claussenk9@mich.com and I will do what I can.

Nothing is perfect. I have seen this method work well for some dogs with persistent owners and I’ve seen some dogs that just won’t fix.

I wish you luck in your endeavor. Happy ears!!!