How to set up a dog”s ears

Maintaining a dog’s health and appearance involves correctly positioning their ears. Taking good care of your dog’s ears can help avoid problems in the future, regardless of whether they are a show breed or just your faithful friend.

To help them stand straight, some dogs—especially those of the Doberman or Great Dane breeds—may need to have their ears taped. Care should be taken during this procedure to prevent discomfort or ear damage.

Whether it’s for health or appearance, we’ll show you how to properly style a dog’s ears in this tutorial. As long as the proper procedures are used, your dog will be comfortable and the intended outcome will be reached.

Why do you need to set up dog ears

First and foremost, straight ears are an indication of a dog’s superior rank. Long, erect ears on dogs give them a more impressive, manly appearance. However, there are other benefits to this procedure besides appearance: dogs with set ears are less likely to suffer from hearing impairments.

Some owners see the puppy just the way he is, not taking much notice of the ears. After all, certain breeds’ standards suggest a posture that is both erect and drooping.

The owner can correct the lop-earedness if it is not due to damage or a congenital mutation. However, you must first familiarize yourself with the breeds whose ears are intended to stick up before learning about the procedure itself.

Crucial! For four-legged pets being prepared to take part in exhibitions, having erect ears is especially important. Nonetheless, a pet’s owner alone has the final say over whether or not to erect its ears.

A canine with perky ears

Dog breeds with erect ears

• Doberman;
• Likas and Huskies;
• Boxer;
• Australian Shepherds;
• Shepherds: Belgian and German;
• Terriers: Scottish, Yorkshire, Toy Terrier;
• Spitz;
• miniature pinscher.

Now, ear gluing might be required for dogs of any breed. This process is frequently used by owners of Yorkshire terriers, pugs, and Chihuahuas. Boxers, Great Danes, Dobermans, and Giant Schnauzers require ear glue more frequently than other breeds because their ears are more likely to develop issues.

A Doberman with its ears properly placed

Crucial! The owner is recommended to speak with a breeder or an expert with prior experience in this area before attaching ears to their pet. He will assist you in selecting the shape of ear that best fits your pet and will assist with the initial gluing.

At what age should ears rise

• Yorkshire Terrier: the ear rises at 2 months.;
• German Shepherd: at 4-5 months.;
• larger breeds: 5-6 months.

The owner must use basic manipulations to raise the pet’s ears if they haven’t grown in the allotted time. However, action needs to be taken right away if a large dog’s ears are already soft rags at three months old and do not even have plans to grow out.

A puppy Yorkshire Terrier

It should be made clear that in certain breed representatives, the ears develop a straight position at a relatively late age—between 6 and 8 months. To find out if the pet has trouble raising its ears, it is imperative to see a doctor.

Crucial! The process can stall at any point, even if the ears have already started to rise. As a result, the owner needs to keep a close eye on the pet’s ears. After a few weeks, the process may continue in some cases, but in other cases, the ear may fall and not rise again.

Dog puppy German Shepherd with drooping ears

Why do puppy ears fall

All puppies have small ears pressed against their heads from birth. The structure of the dog’s ears changes as it grows and matures. Their ears gradually straighten, their cartilages get stronger, and their auricles grow bigger.

This body part’s size and shape are determined by heredity and cannot be altered. If there’s no significant deformation, the stand can still be adjusted. If not, only a surgeon is able to assist.

Pups from various dog breeds

• Deficient trace elements and vitamins in the pet"s body. The main element that should be present in the diet of a growing dog is calcium. It is the basis for the construction of elastic and strong cartilage. If there is not enough calcium, all the microelement entering the body goes to the formation of bone and dental tissue. It enters the cartilage last.
• Replacement of milk teeth. All the reserves of the dog"s body during this period are directed to the formation of strong molars. A smart body uses vitamins to create a more important structure. Therefore, the cartilage in the ears simply does not have enough nutrition.
• Vaccination. If the pet has recently been vaccinated, the process of raising the puppy"s ears may be suspended. This is due to the fact that injections are a strong stress for the dog"s body. Do not worry: after the pet recovers from the procedures experienced, the process of raising the ears will resume.

• Volume and fleshy ears. Even the strongest cartilage will not be able to raise excessively heavy and voluminous ears. Therefore, the owner"s gorgeous ears will need help.
• Purity of breed. A purebred puppy should only be purchased from a trusted breeder. An unreliable seller can sell a crossbreed with deviations at the price of a purebred animal. And it is possible to straighten the ear cartilages of a puppy born from the mating of a purebred mother with a lop-eared dog in isolated cases.

In mature dogs, a cartilage-damaging injury may cause the cartilage to sag. During a dog fight, the dog may pinch or seriously hurt the ear. You ought to get in touch with the veterinarian in this case. The extent of the damage hindered future projections and solutions to the issue.

Crucial! It is imperative to correct the young puppy as soon as possible if they have not yet learned to stand. If not, only surgery will be able to help an adult dog rectify the situation.

Puppy with soft ears bent to the sides

What to do if the dog does not have ears?

You can try to find a different solution before taking the dog to the vet or attempting to glue your ears together. The table below lists these techniques along with an explanation of the circumstances in which they may be suitable.

Table 1 lists non-gluing methods for straightening a pet’s ears.

The proprietor strokes his dog’s ear

Packing the ears or what to do if massage does not help

1. Take a wide adhesive plaster (2-3 cm) and several matches, blunt toothpicks or bath sticks.
2. Make a frame in the form of a small fan from the matches, which will support the cartilage of the auricle in an upright position. This frame is fixed to the ears from the inside.
3. The frame is fixed to the ears with adhesive plaster. At first, the puppy will try to remove the new structure for him, so you need to distract him with food or games. Later, the pet will get used to it.

Aspic recipe for dogs to use while their ears are being set

The rate at which the ears rise in a dog with such a frame increases with its length. To allow for skin breathing, tiny holes are made in the adhesive plaster. Every day, you should check your ears for redness or inflammation. The structure needs to be taken down if even slight irritations are detected. It is imperative to preserve the frame for as long as possible if none exist.

Even if the skin is fine, it is important to keep in mind that it cannot be kept for longer than six days. The dog must then take a 12-hour break from the patch after the previous one is removed. The adhesive tape is then re-glued.

Crucial! The impact will be most noticeable if the animal starts to walk in the picture as soon as the owner notices that the ears are not rising. An adult dog’s auricles can be repositioned using a similar device, but the process won’t be as successful.

A puppy with a head frame

How safe is it to glue dog ears?

As long as the gluing process is done correctly, the pet won’t suffer any consequences. It is advisable for a dog owner who has never glued ears before to give the task to a breeder or veterinary professional. The owner will still have time to learn how to do it on his own because this "operation" is carried out frequently.

It is advised to give a breeder or veterinarian care for the initial glueing.

• an ear tied with a bandage, in which blood circulation is impaired;
• allergy to the adhesive coating of the bandage;
• fixation of the ear in a position that does not correspond to the breed standard;
• development of bacteria and the appearance of irritation in the auricle;
• discomfort and pain when removing the adhesive plaster.

Crucial! It’s important to keep an eye on the puppy’s response to the adhesive plaster during the first few days. When a puppy’s owner spends enough time with them each day, they will be able to detect symptoms such as anxiety, redness, itching in the ears, or an unpleasant smell right away. All of this could indicate that the structure is becoming inflamed beneath the patch, necessitating an immediate removal.

Dobermans with glued ears from the same litter

How to know if a dog"s ear needs to be glued?

Upon walking, the owner noticed that the puppy’s ears were hanging loosely and were either stuck to the sides or flooded inside to the crown. The next step is to determine if the ear can rise on its own or if glue is required.

Step 1. Determine whether there are kinks

The pet’s ear needs to be closely examined. If it collapses at the base, assistance is unquestionably required. Such an ear will undoubtedly not rise on its own without the owner’s assistance. It must be fully straightened and adhered to at the base in order to completely prevent falling. The ear needs to be erect.

A typical kink resembles a section of horizontal cartilage covered in a very thin layer. The ear breaks in this tiny spot, falling forward because it is unable to hold normally. If you start giving the animal calcium at a young age, you can avoid this kind of situation. However, it is essential to glue the ear if the kink has already developed or is just starting.

A canine with an ear kink

Step 2. Look for scars and weak spots

1. Squeeze the ear at the base with thumb and forefinger. Start feeling it from the bottom up with your fingertips.
2. Find a weak spot that prevents it from lifting. This could be a small spot or a strip of thin fabric. To make sure that this is the right place, pinch the spot between your fingers. The ear will lift and straighten out while you hold it in this problematic area.
3. A spot located in the upper part of the cartilage does not require gluing. It is enough to start giving your pet vitamins to restore cartilage tissue. The ear will straighten out and strengthen without outside help.
4. If the weak area of ​​tissue is located in the middle of the ear or at its base, gluing is necessary.

Gluing won’t work if the owner hasn’t discovered any weak spots but the ear is soft and falls all the way down on its own. A course of restorative treatment using vitamins and calcified products must be completed first. If the cartilage does not rise by the time it is fully developed and strong, you can apply glue at that point.

Dog having "house" ears

Understanding the breed’s typical ear shape, following the right cleaning procedures, and making sure the dog is healthy are all important to setting up a dog’s ears. Particularly for breeds where standing ears are preferred, it’s critical to pay attention to ear hygiene, periodically check for infections, and adhere to any specific taping or supporting techniques that a veterinarian may recommend. Maintaining the proper form and health of your dog’s ears requires patience and consistency.

We put ears on different dog breeds

All people adhere to the same fundamental gluing principles, but there are some subtle differences. Let’s examine the most well-liked breeds.

Chinese Crested

• create a tighter contact between the patch and the pet"s skin;
• minimize discomfort when removing the adhesive tape, because it will not pull out hair.

Chinese Crested Dog

A dog without ears won’t be as endearing as they once were, but the owner shouldn’t be concerned. The hair will regrow after the ears are placed on.

Gluing a tiny dog’s ears together

Yorkshire Terrier

Given that Yorkshire toy terrier ears are relatively light, regular textile glue works well for attaching the ears of this breed. The only guidelines are to give the pet’s ears a day off and to trim the glue on a regular basis. After that, you can use the composition once more.

Crucial! Yorkshire terrier ears must be free of wool before being adhered to in the same manner as Chinese crest ears.

German Shepherd

The ears of "Germans" are typically robust and self-supporting. However, they also require regular massages and feedings of calcified products and supplements for proper cartilage development.

A stroll with two German Shepherds. The ears on one are correctly erect, while the ears on the other are drooping.

Doberman

Owners of Dobermans have a challenging job ahead of them. The importance of erect ears for these dogs is well known to owners who have already fitted ears for representatives of this breed.

The day after they are docked, Dobermans have their ears fitted. Following surgery, the wound that is left behind tightens and deforms the ear. The ear starts to droop and won’t stay up by itself. Strong Dobermans work best with wire "crowns" that are fastened to the ears.

Method for applying glue to Doberman ears with a unique metal frame

Crucial! Because Dobermans are energetic and playful dogs, you must watch out that they don’t rip the head’s structure apart.

Toy Terrier

According to the breed standard, the Russian Toy Terrier should also proudly carry erect ears on its head. Most representatives of the breed have very small ears, so it is recommended to take broken matches for the frame. Make sure that their ends are not sharp.

• cut the adhesive plaster to the shape of the ear;
• stick it on the inside of the ear, then attach a splint made of matches to it;
• stick another layer of adhesive tape on top.

Crucial! It is only acceptable to take out the frame entirely once the Toy Terrier’s baby teeth have all grown out and been replaced by molars.

How to set undocked ears in small dogs: detailed instructions

By analogy, problem undocked ears are found in representatives of all small or ornamental breeds. Using the Chinese Crested as an example, let’s examine the process in more detail. At one month old, you can begin training a representative of this breed to wag their ears.

Table 2. Ears algorithm for miniature dog breeds.

Steps	What to do
Step 1	Find an assistant to help you hold the dog. You will have to shave off long hair, and you will need to hold the dog"s head still so as not to damage the delicate skin on the ears.
Step 2	Prepare the trimmer, hold the dog and shave the hair from the inside and outside of both ears. The ears will be much lighter once completely free of hair, and removing the adhesive tape will be less painful.
Step 3	The pet may be frightened by the sound and vibration of the trimmer, so you need to constantly calm him down and talk to him kindly during the procedure. You need to work very carefully. At the base of the ear on the inside there is a thin partition that should not be touched at all.
Step 4	Use scissors to cut off the remaining hair along the edges of the ear, then wipe the cartilage inside and outside with alcohol or another degreaser. This way the patch will hold better.
Step 5	Separate a piece corresponding to the length of the ear from the patch. Put it on the table in front of you with a glue surface up. To measure the cotton wool also along the length of the ear, cut off the desired length and place on top of the adhesive plaster.
Step 6	On top of a cotton wool, it is necessary to stick two more layers of a patch of the same length as the first. Cut the resulting “tire” in the shape of the ear so that the cotton wool looks down.
Step 7	Sticking the resulting structure on the ear from the inside so that the auditory passage is clearly visible. Wrap the ears in the form of tubes, but without enthusiasm, so that the dog does not feel discomfort. Repeat the algorithm from the very beginning with the second ear.
Step 8	Wrap each ear at the base with adhesive plasterer. No need to take your ears close to the crown, because of this they can get up wrong. The dog’s face, along with the structure, should look natural, the ears are straight and sticking up.

A pet wearing this design on its head will walk for roughly five days. Subsequently, the patch needs to be cut, allowing the glued hairs to be released or gently untwisted. Following the first procedure, the ears may occasionally stand up. After a day of rest, if the intended outcome is not obtained, the process should be started over from the beginning. The process can be repeated until the ears are perfectly straight.

The method of attaching glue to a Yorkshire Terrier’s ears

Crucial! There are two types of Chinese Cresteds: bald and fluffy. Every variety can use the same algorithm for ear straightening. A hairless crested dog’s ears must be stretched upwards, according to the breed standard, but any arrangement is acceptable for a powder dog. Breeders are certain, though, that an erect-earning powder Chinese Crested has a much prettier appearance.

How to set cropped ears: detailed instructions

Correctly cropped ears are regarded as true works of art when they stand out beautifully. They shouldn’t fall on either side of the head or congregate on it like a "house." Only when the cut edge is entirely abrupt can the ears after stopping be set.

Option 1 — soft design

Straightening the cartilage at the very base of the ear is thought to be the most difficult aspect of the operation. We will use a Mittel Schnauzer breed representative as an example to study the algorithm that will result in cropped ears that are straightened.

Table 3 shows the algorithm for positioning a Mittel Schnauzer dog’s ears.

Stages	What needs to be done
Step 1	Fix the dog"s head and free the auricle from hair using a trimmer, degrease the ear with alcohol.
Step 2	With two fingers, take hold of the tip of the ear, then pull it up and slightly back. This is necessary to straighten the cartilage at the base, on which the entire ear rests.
Step 3	Twist both ears into a tube in turn. Right – clockwise, left – counterclockwise.
Step 4	Wrap the twisted ear around with a wide adhesive bandage, tightly holding the tip. You need to wrap it starting from the base and reaching the tip.
Step 5	Check the cartilage at the base of the ear: it could have bent during the process. Make sure that the ear canal is not blocked, the puppy can hear well, and the ears do not rot under the patch.
Step 6	The ears wrapped with a patch must be fixed together so that they stand straight. At the base, they are horizontally wrapped with adhesive tape and connected together. Make sure that the structure looks natural, and the ears stand upright.

The resulting "horns" must be worn on the pet’s head for five to six days. Next, take the patch off with caution. In the event that you were unable to raise the ears the first time, you should re-wrap them after one to two days. Continue doing this until the ears of the Mittel Schnauzer stand erect.

Option 2 – rigid structure

Creating a stiff frame is another method for straightening cropped ears in large breed dogs. These two varieties have different required materials but pursue the same objectives and have similar execution algorithms.

• foam curlers that will support the ear from the inside;
• a wooden stick to avoid getting your hands dirty when applying the glue;
• Popsicle sticks to guide and hold the ear;
• medical glue to fix the curlers;
• cloth medical adhesive plaster for final treatment.

In this instance, construction or masking tape will work in place of fabric adhesive tape. Making sure the glue stays out of the ear canal is crucial. The ears need to be cleaned with alcohol and shaved, just like in the cases that were previously covered.

German Shepherd with a small build

Setting the ears of an adult dog

The cartilaginous tissue in the ear completes its formation by the time a dog turns one year old. Nothing can be done if the pet’s ears haven’t stood up by this age. Massages, vitamin supplements, or meals containing calcined cottage cheese will not be helpful. No more can the creases be fixed; packing will only be able to slightly reshape the ear.

1. The desired effect is achieved by cutting the animal"s skin in the forehead area.
2. Sometimes after the first operation the ears do not stand up as they should, so you will have to perform a second, and if necessary, a third.
3. The effect of erect ears can also be achieved by sewing whalebone or an implant into the fabric of the auricle.

While getting ready for the procedure, the owner needs to weigh all the advantages and disadvantages. Even purebred people whose ears were surgically erected are not allowed to breed, and the results of surgery can come as a complete surprise.

An adult Doberman with a handmade design on his head

What types of erect ears are there

Tiny, neat ears are gathered on top of each puppy’s head at birth. If the puppy’s diet contains adequate calcium and nutrients, as it gets older, its ears will straighten and rise.

• "helicopter": the ears hang in opposite directions;
• "house": bend towards the middle and converge in a triangle above the crown;
• different positions: it happens that a puppy holds its ears in completely different ways – for example, one tilts towards the top of the head, and the other stands vertically;
• vertical: the most favorable position is when the ears stick out with their tips upward.

All of these ear positions are thought to be typical for developing puppies. The ears will eventually form and rise upwards in the proper direction.

The puppy’s head grows as it does, and along with it, so does the distance between its ears. The puppy’s ears appear too big for a child’s head at around four months old, having already grown to the size of a large dog’s ears.

Dogs’ ears are positioned differently. One: a helicopter; Two: a house; Three: one way; Four: drooping ears

The ears should rise easily if the cartilaginous fabric in the auricle is sufficiently dense at this point. The sharp part will begin to rise up, the ears will straighten, and the angles of inclination in the "house" and "helicopter" positions will gradually decrease until they reach the end point.

Excessively flexible cartilage might not be able to support the weight of large ears. In this instance, the pointed portion of the ear will bend more and more from the base rather than straightening out.

An adult dog’s drooping ears

What the owner should pay attention to?

• The bending lines of the tilted ear should be smooth and resemble an arc, and the tilt should decrease by a few millimeters daily. An ear bent to the side or to the top of the head at an acute angle indicates a kink. The pet needs prompt help in the form of gluing and an additional course of vitamins.
• If the development of the ears has reached the "house" position, be extremely vigilant. This is a standard method of lifting, but if the ears remain in this state for too long, the problem must be eliminated. There is a risk of forming a hard-to-remove kink at the beginning of the ear. If the dog is not helped in time, the ears may remain bent towards the top of the head for life.

Puppy ears on "house"

• Even at the final stage there are unpleasant surprises. For example, the ears have almost risen, but the owner notices a small fold on the auricle. If it is not eliminated in time, a scar or a kink will form in this place. Urgent gluing is necessary so as not to miss the moment.
• If the auricle has already completely straightened out, but has fallen off after changing teeth or for some other reason, you need to wait. Ears that have not straightened out again after 10-14 days need to be provided with additional support. Some experts even believe that feeding the pet vitamins and gluing the ears is required immediately after they have fallen off.
• A lot of "ear" problems originate from too soft cartilage. In some cases, the ear rises, but does not look strong and sways when walking. The tip of the ear may sway or bend. A glue will not be able to fix loose cartilage: in this case, calcium and vitamins are needed.

A dog’s ear kink

Step	Description
1. Clean the ears	Use a dog-safe ear cleaner to remove dirt and wax before taping.
2. Taping the ears	Carefully tape the ears in a standing position using breathable medical tape.
3. Monitor progress	Check the ears daily to ensure the tape is secure and the ears are standing correctly.
4. Remove tape after a week	If the ears stand well, gently remove the tape to avoid any irritation.
5. Consult a vet	If the ears don’t stay up, consult a vet for further advice.

Correct ear positioning is a crucial component of your dog’s upkeep, particularly for breeds where ear posture demands particular attention. By using appropriate techniques and patience, you can guarantee that your dog’s ears grow in a healthy way without causing them any pain.

Always remember to take a calm and methodical approach, and only use instruments like tape or ear supports when absolutely required. Make sure your dog isn’t experiencing any stress or pain by keeping an eye on their reaction at all times.

Finally, remember to see a veterinarian if your dog exhibits symptoms of discomfort or if you have any questions concerning any aspect of the procedure. You can receive advice from an expert that is customized to your dog’s unique requirements.

Video on the topic

How to put up a dog"s ears? Methods, options, life hacks

How to glue a puppy"s ears/a puppy"s ears won"t rise

HOW TO QUICKLY PUT UP A GERMAN SHEPHERD PUPPY"S EARS//GLUING UP A PUPPY"S EARS//A QUICK METHOD