7 month old posting concern

[Cadesanchez]

hello everyone,
I’m the proud owner of huge euro Doberman puppy. Thor is already over 80lbs.
He will be 7 months soon and I’m concerned about one of his ears.
Since his ears were cropped(at 10 weeks old) I’ve been VERY consistent with his taping and posting to include weekly vet checks by the Dr who performed the procedure. About a month ago, at the recommendation of the vet I took his posts off for half a day. Both ears stood and looked great. However by the end of that day on ear was flopping over. The other was fine. From that point on, that same ear will stand for a bit then flop over when his ears are out of the tapes.
Now very recently, i was replacing his tape/post and both ears were folding over.
I’ve read that sometimes pups can take quite a while but I was wondering if there are any signs to look for that indicate the cartilage has been damaged? I check his ears daily and there are no sores or anything else that to me would indicate any infection/damage. The vet has stated that the tissue in his ears is “pretty thick” like everything else on him- so im hopeful he just needs more time.
Any advice/input would be greatly appreciated!

 

[JanS]

It sounds like he's developing pockets so that will need to be corrected using bumpers.

F

Thread 'Ear Taping using bumpers'

Jan 12, 2009

You do not have to use the bumpers. But if you have ears that are tipping inward they are very helpful. I have also found that the bumpers can sometimes make the post too large for a young puppy's ears

Over Time i have tried many different methods and have found this to be by far the most effective technique ive came across yet.



Copied with Permission from Amanda Shadforth

I would like to thank Amanda for...​

• FredC
• Replies: 45
• Forum: Doberman Puppies

• 
• 

It also sounds like his ears are not ready so you probably have a few more months of posting before you try testing them again.

Welcome from Minnesota! We'd love to see some photos of your pup.

 

[Ddski5]

Post some pictures.
Listen to Jan ^^^^

Sounds like you are on the right track but took them down too soon. Happens all the time with folks who test ears too soo- don’t worry. Keep posting.

How to tell if the ear cartilage is broken? It really looks like cardboard that has been bent so hard, the cardboard is broken and creased. But I wouldn’t think your 7month has broken cartilage unless they have been bent/creased for weeks straight with no posting.

 

[Ravenbird]

Yes, pictures are needed to properly diagnose the problem. Great advice already given but photos both in and out of posts would clarify your situation.

 

[Aaron56]

hello everyone,
I’m the proud owner of huge euro Doberman puppy. Thor is already over 80lbs.
He will be 7 months soon and I’m concerned about one of his ears.
Since his ears were cropped(at 10 weeks old) I’ve been VERY consistent with his taping and posting to include weekly vet checks by the Dr who performed the procedure. About a month ago, at the recommendation of the vet I took his posts off for half a day. Both ears stood and looked great. However by the end of that day on ear was flopping over. The other was fine. From that point on, that same ear will stand for a bit then flop over when his ears are out of the tapes.
Now very recently, i was replacing his tape/post and both ears were folding over.
I’ve read that sometimes pups can take quite a while but I was wondering if there are any signs to look for that indicate the cartilage has been damaged? I check his ears daily and there are no sores or anything else that to me would indicate any infection/damage. The vet has stated that the tissue in his ears is “pretty thick” like everything else on him- so im hopeful he just needs more time.
Any advice/input would be greatly appreciated!

I DO like my big girl!

Comparing her ears to my new girl with a military crop and considering the work that had to be expended to get to each different length / shape -

That military crop is done because it is hard to screw up and simply works for the intended purpose.

I is not loving my girl Agatha any less because she has shorter ears than any other dog.

 

[Cadesanchez]

Yes, pictures are needed to properly diagnose the problem. Great advice already given but photos both in and out of posts would clarify your situation.

 

[Cadesanchez]

Sorry for the delayed response.
Thank you everyone for the help!!
I have adjusted my posting technique using the process for dealing w/ pockets.
So far it seems like the ear is standing a little better but still reverts to this after some time.

 

[Cadesanchez]

W/posts and tape

 

[Ddski5]

I know it’s a PITA, but keep posting. If that ear stands by itself then you have a chance. Post consistently for a month without testing it! That’s where folks mess up…they leave it out and test it.

 

[Ravenbird]

Yes, what @Ddski5 said.

the ear is standing a little better but still reverts to this after some time.

How much time? 2 hours? 2 days? 2 weeks? How long are you leaving them down before you post?

He has a long ear trim, some of these have to be posted until their 1st birthday. Invest in the time and the PITA, chances are good you'll fix it.
And thanks for coming back and updating with photos, you've got a handsome boy there, keep up the good work.

 

[JanS]

Thanks for the update! I don't see any pockets there at this time so you probably just need the regular posts without the bumpers.

 

[Cadesanchez]

Yes, what @Ddski5 said.

How much time? 2 hours? 2 days? 2 weeks? How long are you leaving them down before you post?

He has a long ear trim, some of these have to be posted until their 1st birthday. Invest in the time and the PITA, chances are good you'll fix it.
And thanks for coming back and updating with photos, you've got a handsome boy there, keep up the good work.

We’ve avoided taking them down as much as possible except for when we take him to the vet for them to look at his ears and change out the tapes after cleaning. Untaped for maybe a few hours. This was once per week.
Beyond that… he gets after the tape- constantly pawing at both.
He’s crated at points during the day, so as soon as he is crated, it’s game on. There have been times where we are gone for a few hours and by the time we get back, the tape and posts are off one of the ears and he eats them.
Compounding this issue- we are very busy during the spring summer(travel baseball and competitive dance) so as a safety precaution prior to leaving the tapes, posts are removed- so there are times where his ears are free for 36-38 hours but then immediately reposted upon return.
Luckily those days are over soon.

 

[JanS]

There have been times where we are gone for a few hours and by the time we get back, the tape and posts are off one of the ears and he eats them.

Are you seating them deep in the canal? That shouldn't happen if they're seated correctly, but it will bother them if they're not and they will try to get them off. Our dogs were left for about 6 hours during our staggered work hours and they didn't have any trouble with them.

there are times where his ears are free for 36-38 hours but then immediately reposted upon return.

Oof that's a long time when the cartilage is still forming. Hopefully you can still get them after you have more time.

 

[Aaron56]

We’ve avoided taking them down as much as possible except for when we take him to the vet for them to look at his ears and change out the tapes after cleaning. Untaped for maybe a few hours. This was once per week.
Beyond that… he gets after the tape- constantly pawing at both.
He’s crated at points during the day, so as soon as he is crated, it’s game on. There have been times where we are gone for a few hours and by the time we get back, the tape and posts are off one of the ears and he eats them.
Compounding this issue- we are very busy during the spring summer(travel baseball and competitive dance) so as a safety precaution prior to leaving the tapes, posts are removed- so there are times where his ears are free for 36-38 hours but then immediately reposted upon return.
Luckily those days are over soon.

Those cones work to prevent that stuff ya know...

 

[Cadesanchez]

Are you seating them deep in the canal? That shouldn't happen if they're seated correctly, but it will bother them if they're not and they will try to get them off. Our dogs were left for about 6 hours during our staggered work hours and they didn't have any trouble with them.

Oof that's a long time when the cartilage is still forming. Hopefully you can still get them after you have more time.

They are seated as far down as possible.
I think some of the issue is that I don’t wrap the tape tightly enough.
Im fearful of causing damage… but lately I’ve been a little tighter with my tapes and they stay in much better.
It’s just that sometimes, if he’s left alone long enough, get goes crazy and he’s crazy strong.
The time w/out the posts isn’t great/ so I’m thinking I leave them in our next weekend away.

 

[MichiH]

They are seated as far down as possible.
I think some of the issue is that I don’t wrap the tape tightly enough.
Im fearful of causing damage… but lately I’ve been a little tighter with my tapes and they stay in much better.
It’s just that sometimes, if he’s left alone long enough, get goes crazy and he’s crazy strong.
The time w/out the posts isn’t great/ so I’m thinking I leave them in our next weekend away.

Is there any way he can travel with you? That way ears are up and it’ll be great socialization for him as well.

 

[Ddski5]

Have to be honest with you…you are really gambling with that right ear at 7months. I can’t tell if the cartilage is broken or that ear is folded over.
You cannot allow that ear to be out of the post except to change it out. I know it’s very difficult, practically impossible…I had an asshat puppy that drove me crazy too.

You have to find a way to keep posting in the ears and not let that ear fold/break over.

 

[Cadesanchez]

Have to be honest with you…you are really gambling with that right ear at 7months. I can’t tell if the cartilage is broken or that ear is folded over.
You cannot allow that ear to be out of the post except to change it out. I know it’s very difficult, practically impossible…I had an asshat puppy that drove me crazy too.

You have to find a way to keep posting in the ears and not let that ear fold/break over.

Ive looked over that ear several times. The cartilage is smooth. No creases or any abnormalities where it folds over. Comparing to his left ear- the tissue looks the same.

 

[Cadesanchez]

Is there any way he can travel with you? That way ears are up and it’ll be great socialization for him as well.

We have had him travel w/ us a little. It was helpful for sure

 

[Cadesanchez]

Those cones work to prevent that stuff ya know...

Tried that too in the beginning… he clawed at it non-stop… on the struggle bus for sure.