Ear posting- Can this be fixed?

[jaxx]

Hi Guys!

Jax is almost 5 months old and his ears are standing pretty good! I have read, regardless if they are standing well, they should be continually posted throughout teething.
We repost his ears every 4 days and just recently started leaving them off for a few hours to see how they would do, and to me they look great!

This is how his ears currently look. The top portion of his ears seem to have a fold in them? - would this be fixed with posting?
I sent a picture to my breeder about a month ago and he told me he looked like he was done being posted . However, I still continued to post him because I knew he wasn't done with teething and they could fall.

His ears have looked like this for about a month (with the tips not being perfectly straight) even though we have continued to post. It seems as though the continual posting is not doing anything for the tips.

Do I just keep posting and hope they will straighten out? Is there something else I should be doing?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Ddski5]

Wow…that’s a badass looking Doberman!

You know, I have always wondered what may cause a Dobermans ears to be a little wavy like that. I have not seen it too often with other Dobermans but if I had to guess, I would speculate that the ears are very thick and heavier than the norm. Also have to make damn sure you are pulling the ears high and tight in the posts.

I do have to say that I am very pleased and excited about your posts…. You titled it “Ear Posting”- Can this be fixed??
I looked at that and reluctantly opened the post expecting to see bent, broken ears of a beautiful Doberman of an owner that did not perform due process….I do have to say I get upset because it’s truly not the Doberman’s fault!! The owner should have researched and planned on this very important job that is to be expected….
Anyways, rant over for now.

His ears do look really good but at five months? I believe I would continue posting to see if I could get some wave out. 5months old ears just may not be ready to hold completely erect just yet. Make sure you pull high and tight on the backerrod.

Do you ever see them completely straight or are they always with the little wave?

I posted both of mine through 7.5 months.

 

[jaxx]

Wow…that’s a badass looking Doberman!

You know, I have always wondered what may cause a Dobermans ears to be a little wavy like that. I have not seen it too often with other Dobermans but if I had to guess, I would speculate that the ears are very thick and heavier than the norm. Also have to make damn sure you are pulling the ears high and tight in the posts.

I do have to say that I am very pleased and excited about your posts…. You titled it “Ear Posting”- Can this be fixed??
I looked at that and reluctantly opened the post expecting to see bent, broken ears of a beautiful Doberman of an owner that did not perform due process….I do have to say I get upset because it’s truly not the Doberman’s fault!! The owner should have researched and planned on this very important job that is to be expected….
Anyways, rant over for now.

His ears do look really good but at five months? I believe I would continue posting to see if I could get some wave out. 5months old ears just may not be ready to hold completely erect just yet. Make sure you pull high and tight on the backerrod.

Do you ever see them completely straight or are they always with the little wave?

I posted both of mine through 7.5 months.
View attachment 122996

Thank you!

This is my first time posting, and it was rough at first but now its a piece of cake and he sleeps through the process!

His ears do stand really straight (like the picture you posted) when he is alert, but throughout the day they have the wave in them.

I will continue to post because I do think 5 months is too early, and he doesn't seem to mind them at all.

I just wanted to make sure the little wave is something I could correct with posting... I guess we will see!

 

[Ddski5]

His ears do stand really straight (like the picture you posted) when he is alert, but throughout the day they have the wave in them.

This tells me he initially has the strength to hold them erect but does not quite have the endurance. I also think the cartilage hardens from the base to the tips as they go through the teething process. With both of mine, it seemed to take forever for the tips to strengthen and harden up.

Just keep doing the work….there is a light at the end of the tunnel and your due diligence is most definitely paying off.

Keep us updated on this please. A lot of folks ask questions and then disappear.

 

[Rits]

That slight bend means he's not done posting. Some choose to stop posting at this point because they do not mind and see standing ears but the ears are not straight now so when finished teething they could sag even more. Keep posting at least for a couple more months. Pull the ears up tight. You got this!

 

[Kaiser2016]

What a handsome boy, can't wait to see how he turns out fully grown! I agree to continue posting because the last of the teething process can take some progress away from the ears, plus you don't want him to accidentally sleep on his ears folded over while unposted.

reluctantly opened the post expecting to see bent, broken ears of a beautiful Doberman of an owner that did not perform due process….I do have to say I get upset because it’s truly not the Doberman’s fault!!

I have the same feeling every time. It's such a waste when it doesn't work out and the fallen ears would be a constant reminder to me it would just be aggravating. Fortunately, this time, that's not the case and the ears are looking great! I also think it must be the weight of the ear leather that creates the wave because at that age, I don't quite recall Kaiser doing airplane ears a lot I find it amazing that they can bend those ears so much and NOT have them break.

 

[jaxx]

That slight bend means he's not done posting. Some choose to stop posting at this point because they do not mind and see standing ears but the ears are not straight now so when finished teething they could sag even more. Keep posting at least for a couple more months. Pull the ears up tight. You got this!

Thank you! I will continue to post

 

[jaxx]

What a handsome boy, can't wait to see how he turns out fully grown! I agree to continue posting because the last of the teething process can take some progress away from the ears, plus you don't want him to accidentally sleep on his ears folded over while unposted.

I have the same feeling every time. It's such a waste when it doesn't work out and the fallen ears would be a constant reminder to me it would just be aggravating. Fortunately, this time, that's not the case and the ears are looking great! I also think it must be the weight of the ear leather that creates the wave because at that age, I don't quite recall Kaiser doing airplane ears a lot I find it amazing that they can bend those ears so much and NOT have them break.

Thanks Kaiser!

I will definitely continue to post as I put a lot of time into his ears and want to make sure they are pretty close to perfect
How do you know when the teething stage is over? The vet said he looks to be "almost done with teething".

It is quite amazing how much they can bend their ears lol!

 

[Oh Little Oji]

I find it amazing that they can bend those ears so much and NOT have them break.

It remains a wonder for me too. Even more is the wonder of how they can lay on them folded or crumpled yet they are fine (once they are actually done posting of course). Still, I don't like anyone to pet his ears downward at all, or smush them. I just don't.

To @jaxx , you sound like you've got the process and the thinking correct. I will say this: My previous Dobe wound up with ears pretty much standing like Jaxx's are now. To me, they were standing; and they are indeed. I can see, however, that if you compare them to Rits' Ripley's ears, you can definitely see a difference. I've noticed that Ripley's ears are like really straight up. I didn't mind the slight outward bend in my previous guy's ears. They were definitely standing and they never flopped or anything. FWIW, I think he had thicker ear leather and this probably played into their tending to bend outward. I might have been able to get them all the way straight up by posting longer, but I was quite satisfied. This is not to say for sure that your guy's ears wouldn't have problems if left with that slight bend in them after teething; but mine didn't.

 

[jaxx]

It remains a wonder for me too. Even more is the wonder of how they can lay on them folded or crumpled yet they are fine (once they are actually done posting of course). Still, I don't like anyone to pet his ears downward at all, or smush them. I just don't.

To @jaxx , you sound like you've got the process and the thinking correct. I will say this: My previous Dobe wound up with ears pretty much standing like Jaxx's are now. To me, they were standing; and they are indeed. I can see, however, that if you compare them to Rits' Ripley's ears, you can definitely see a difference. I've noticed that Ripley's ears are like really straight up. I didn't mind the slight outward bend in my previous guy's ears. They were definitely standing and they never flopped or anything. FWIW, I think he had thicker ear leather and this probably played into their tending to bend outward. I might have been able to get them all the way straight up by posting longer, but I was quite satisfied. This is not to say for sure that your guy's ears wouldn't have problems if left with that slight bend in them after teething; but mine didn't.

Thank you!

I will continue posting until he is done teething to see if that will help straighten his ears out more.

To be honest, I don't mind how his ears are now, but if I can get them a bit straighter with posting longer, It's worth a shot!

 

[Kaiser2016]

How do you know when the teething stage is over? The vet said he looks to be "almost done with teething".

The adult teeth take months to fully erupt, so your vet may not be wrong by saying they are "almost" done - their final set of teeth are huge though and I think you'll be shocked when you see them lol. As the adult teeth make the final push, all the calcium resources are redirected there instead of to the ear cartilage and this happens from 5-7 months - I'd go more by age than experience, since I would never have known what to look for to determine 'finished' teeth.

 

[jaxx]

The adult teeth take months to fully erupt, so your vet may not be wrong by saying they are "almost" done - their final set of teeth are huge though and I think you'll be shocked when you see them lol. As the adult teeth make the final push, all the calcium resources are redirected there instead of to the ear cartilage and this happens from 5-7 months - I'd go more by age than experience, since I would never have known what to look for to determine 'finished' teeth.

I noticed this past week every time he plays with a toy there is a bit of blood on it.. I wondering if he is starting to loose a lot more?
I know most of the teeth in the front of his mouth are adult teeth (according to my vet).

Also, I saw HUGE teeth in the way back of his mouth...could those be adult teeth?
For some reason I thought those were the last to come in.

 

[Kaiser2016]

I noticed this past week every time he plays with a toy there is a bit of blood on it.. I wondering if he is starting to loose a lot more?
I know most of the teeth in the front of his mouth are adult teeth (according to my vet).

Also, I saw HUGE teeth in the way back of his mouth...could those be adult teeth?
For some reason I thought those were the last to come in.

If there's still blood, then he's still teething. The back teeth are like icebergs, no matter how big it looks, most of it is still hidden below.

 

[Rits]

can see, however, that if you compare them to Rits' Ripley's ears, you can definitely see a difference. I've noticed that Ripley's ears are like really straight up.

Here's a secret. It's all an illusion.



But you can @jaxx see how with more posting that the outward bend will firm up from base first, to tip of the ear last. I was happy with how my pups ears were and couldn't wait any longer at 10-11 months for the tippy tips to finish haha. She took a little longer to post so don't think your pup will take that long! She had to have her ears out of posts for shows and swimming lessons so that set us back a month or two. I don't mind the slight bend back, gives a little style to the ears!

 

[JanS]

They're off to a good start but I'd keep going through teething, like you said.

I personally don't care for straight up and down, stick straight (I I) ears since they're not intended to be that way but you definitely want the cartilage to be firmed up before you stop posting.

I purposely went for this look with our girl to add a little curve to enhance a nice crop.

 

[jaxx]

Here's a secret. It's all an illusion.

View attachment 122998

But you can @jaxx see how with more posting that the outward bend will firm up from base first, to tip of the ear last. I was happy with how my pups ears were and couldn't wait any longer at 10-11 months for the tippy tips to finish haha. She took a little longer to post so don't think your pup will take that long! She had to have her ears out of posts for shows and swimming lessons so that set us back a month or two. I don't mind the slight bend back, gives a little style to the ears!

Love them!!
I personally don't mind if they are not totally straight. I do too think it gives them a little style

I will however continue to post since Jax is only 5 months old.

 

[jaxx]

They're off to a good start but I'd keep going through teething, like you said.

I personally don't care for straight up and down, stick straight (I I) ears since they're not intended to be that way but you definitely want the cartilage to be firmed up before you stop posting.

I purposely went for this look with our girl to add a little curve to enhance a nice crop.
View attachment 123000

So beautiful!

I agree, I don't want them stick straight, but don't want them flopping if I stop posting too early.
I will continue to post through teething!

 

[Rits]

since they're not intended to be that way

I dont think that's necessarily true and it's more a matter of preference really. If you look through the doberman network magazine you will see a lot of straight ears, but you will also see some ears with bend. Which that's all down to preference plus when people decide to stop posting.





Source: The Doberman Network - A Doberman Pinscher Magazine

Fortunately, the ears aren't described much in the standard other than normally cropped and carried erect. When alert, upper attachment of the ear is level with the plane of the skull. Though I'm glad they aren't described much more than that since vets don't all have the same style!

I wanted to say too, Jax is a really handsome dude! He already looks so mature in the face. I can only imagine how impressive he will be when he's done growing!

 

[Rits]

One last thought as I reread the post, make sure you are pushing the posts as deep as they go and stretching/pulling the ear up when you post. If they sag any when posting they won't straighten out in the area you have marked. You can't push them too far if you push them down, the ear canal won't allow it.

 

[Oh Little Oji]

Here's a secret. It's all an illusion.

Ooh! Sweet! Yes, it is an interesting phenomenon how the cropped ear looks different as you rotate around it.