Doberman ear posting - improved method

JanS

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Doberman ear posting - improved method

Over the years I’ve been tweaking the basic backer rod method and this way of doing it is by far the most effective and easiest of anything I’ve tried, so now that we have a new pup for a model (thank you Albert), I wanted to put a tutorial together for the rest of you.
This is not only a minimal tape method, but it also makes for stress free post changing for you and your pup and no loss of hair on the backs of the ears. This method also does not require the tedious back taping that many require and makes for a much smoother and stable post.

Before starting any type of ear posting please make sure your pups ears are healed and free of infection. Always clean the ear canal out well before beginning!

Supplies:
Backer rod, sometimes called caulk saver. Young pups usually need ½” and as they grow they will move up to 5/8”. This is easily found in the caulk department at home improvement stores like Lowe’s.
Duct tape. Any basic duck tape will work and it’s the backbone of your posts integrity. Most of the tape shown in the photos is some of the fun colored stuff you can buy at places like Wal-Mart, but the basic grey tape will work just as well.
Scissors.

Here is the link to order most of the supplies if you can't get them locally. Product Category: Adhesives/Tapes/Removers

And a better link with better prices.
Curity Porous Tape BY KENDALL 1in 2531
Osto-Bond Skin Bond Adhesive OSTOBOND, OSTOBOND, Montreal Ostomy Ostomy Care, Ostomy Accessories
UniSolve Adhesive Remover by Smith & Nephew BUY at Vitality Medical 402300, 402300, 59402500, 59402500


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Baby powder for the hair side of the ears for easy tape removal.
Antibiotic ointment to put on the end of the posts inside the ear.
Kendall Curity 1” porous tape or Zona’s tape. Two pieces approximately 5” long, two pieces approximately 3” long and one piece about 10 – 12” long for the center brace.
Surgical adhesive
Many of the tape and adhesive products are available at your local medical supply store, but if you can’t find them locally here’s a great source. http://www.naturesfarmacy.com/store/results.php?category=34
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Measure the length you want to cut your pieces of backer rod off by measuring from the bottom of the bell or flare of the ear to the tip and go an extra inch. I keep one sample so I don’t have to do it every time, then measure the new posts from there.
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You will want to measure your duct tape with the post leaving the bottom 3/4” or so exposed, which is the part that goes into the ear canal.
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Tape the backer rod lengthwise starting at the edge of the tape as shown keeping it as smooth and straight as possible.
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Apply baby powder to the hair side of the ears to keep the tape from sticking and pulling it off during removal.
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Apply an even and fairly sparse coat of adhesive to one side only of the post, which will face toward the inside of the ear.
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Now apply a coat of adhesive to the inside of your pups ear as shown and let dry until there is almost no stickiness left when you touch it – approximately 4 – 5 minutes. This totally eliminates the need for back taping and holds them in place much better. Note: only apply down to the ear lobe and not into the canal.
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After the adhesive has dried it’s time to insert the post. Pull the ear back slightly and make sure to get the post down to the bottom of the ear canal – you will be able to tell when it goes all the way down and you do not have to worry about ear drum damage the way their ears are formed. The post should go straight up the center of the ear or closer to the uncut edge.
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Now stretch the ear tight and attach it to the glued post and smooth into place. Notice how well they stick all by themselves.
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Apply the two 5” pieces toward the bottom of the ear as shown making sure that the natural ear flap folds in toward the inside of the head and in the same direction as the tape. Start the tape on the post and loosely wrap it making sure it’s not cutting off circulation – very important.
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Apply the top tape in the same manner.
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The last step is the center brace which is only needed until they gain control of their ears, which is usually about 3 postings or until there is always slack in the center brace. Space the ears so they are slightly out and not pointing straight up from the head as shown. Again start your tape on the tape on one of the posts going across the front first, then around the back and press the two sides together.
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And how it should look when it’s done.
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Please feel free to ask any questions as you go and part two will be simple post removal, which needs to be done in 4 – 5 days with this method, unless you find a problem or suspect an infection.

One other note: be sure not to let the posts get wet since the tape will tighten on the ears as it dries and cut off the pups circulation.

As an additional note: It used to be recommended to wrap the whole bell, but that practice has since been dropped since it does nothing to help the ear stance and only invites infection since the ear canal can't breathe at all.
 

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Part 2 – post removal

The post removal is very easy and stress free with this method and as you can see our model Albert is falling asleep in half of the photos.

Supplies needed:
Uni-Solve adhesive remover
Cotton balls or gauze pads
Bandage scissors, which have one blunt flat side to slide under the tape so you don’t jab their ears. You should be able to find them at most medical supply stores or order them online.
Latex or nitrile gloves to keep your hands from getting sticky (optinal)
Ear cleaning solution or wipes
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The first step is to cut the center brace in half so each individual ear can be done separately.
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Next you will apply the Uni-solve to all of the tape on the back side of the ears and let it soak in using a cotton ball to prevent it from running down the dogs ears where it doesn’t belong.
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Now it’s time to gently insert the scissors between the tape and the ears making sure the scissors clear all skin so you don’t nick them, which is very easy after the tape is loosened from the adhesive remover. I make sure the scissors come all the way through and you can see the top of them before cutting.
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After the tape is cut, use cotton balls soaked in the adhesive remover to work the tape and posts off the ear. This comes off quite easily as you go if you gradually remove it while working the cotton ball under the adhesive.
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And out comes the post.
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The last step is to remove the adhesive from the ears again using cotton balls soaked in the adhesive remover. It will take a few cotton balls and swipes to remove it all and if there’s a tiny bit left on the hair part it’s okay. Once you've removed the adhesive, use your ear cleanser to clean the canal out well.
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At this point with Albert we no longer need to use the center brace since he has full control of them and is able to hold them in position on his own, so that's one less piece of tape again.

If you get to a point where the ears are pulling in toward the center too much and they get pockets, you'll want to use the bumper method, shown here.
http://www.doberman-chat.com/community/index.php?threads/ear-taping.483/

And how they will look when they're done. Well almost since he's just toward the end of posting with his long show crop.
Ears head on Dec 10 11 sized.jpg
 
VERY well done and such a handy step by step method! Thank you, Jan! Albert seems to be a pro at this! What a cute little guy!!! :love:
 
oh my i am sure glad we don't crop here, i don't think i would want all that extra work with a puppy;) but i bet this is a big help for all those who get puppies great pictures and instructions Jan:thumbsup:
 
outstanding! I employed a similar method that I just adopted from a 'Great Dane" ear posting video I watched and Saava's ears look very similar and much sturdier than what I was doing before.
They employ a super similar method but use pipe insulation foam (more rigid and stiff) and wrap it with adhesive tape inside out so that the adhesive sticks to the ears.. then they use two pieces of tape at base and tip and then wrap teh whole thing in paper tape that is 2" wide... so I tried that last night and he looks way mo bettah! I will try this next time too! see what is easier and which lasts longer- remember I have a barracuda over here who thinks its all fun and game to grab those 'horns' and drag that little dude where she thinks he needs to be at any given moment! she thinks its funny too... I can hear her laughing when she grabs him and he yelps! she is just a big baby herself still.. I wonder if she will EVER grow up? she is a brat! :groan::groan:
 
Thanks for sharing this Jan. I saw some of the neat patterned duct tape you mentioned at Walmart the other day. :) We're going to wait and see how Suzan does it first.
 
remember I have a barracuda over here who thinks its all fun and game to grab those 'horns' and drag that little dude where she thinks he needs to be at any given moment! she thinks its funny too... I can hear her laughing when she grabs him and he yelps! she is just a big baby herself still.. I wonder if she will EVER grow up? she is a brat!
LOL, I've been extremely lucky that Della never touches Albert's (KOW) so I can only imagine how much fun it is to fight other elements as well. :eek:
The absolute biggest secret with this method is the adhesive and to know that it almost has to feel dry to the touch so it will really hold, but when you get it, it holds better than anything I've seen before.
I guess Gemma has a little over a year before she's really considered an adult, but at least she's having fun now. :p
 
Excellent tutorial on your posting method Jan! I like the way you've used the glue and been able to use minimal tape. I'm looking forward to the post removal section for instructions on how to remove the residue from the glue (if necessary) and all that stuff.

A bit off topic, but have you been swimming with piranhas? Your arm is all scratched up ;) Could those needle sharp puppy teeth have done that to you? Hehehe....
 
I want to try this method, but I can not find the glue local. I would need to order it. When I asked my vet for some he said "No, it can make you lose circulation in the ear." I was like "Umm, ok." I don't understand how. Anyway, does it leave alot of glue build up? And does it come off easy?
 
Your arm is all scratched up ;) Could those needle sharp puppy teeth have done that to you? Hehehe....
LOL, that was mostly from the time I stuck my arm between him and Della when they were "busy"... Ouch... :D
Anyway, does it leave alot of glue build up? And does it come off easy?
There is absolutely no buildup if you use the liquid adhesive remover which I will cover with the removal part, but it does take a few swipes with a soaked cotton ball to remove it all. Over all it does come off easy though. :)
Here are his ears right after the last removal and as you can see there's no buildup left at all.
Ears Aug 30 11 sized.jpg
 
aww he is such a little cutie, and such a great little model! Im all done with posting, but this is a great tutorial for others who need it! thanks for posting it!
 
Very nice cropped ears your doberman have there.How I wish I can find Baker rod here in city hardware store.The problem here is that they don't have it here :( I continue to use some barbecue stick and put some cotton on the edges top and bottom of the stick just to improvise :( anyways thanks for the post guys.
 
I have to say that using the glue is not for everyone , i tried a similar method using that glue , OMG ! what a mess ! Zonas tape all the way for me .
 
I have to say that using the glue is not for everyone , i tried a similar method using that glue , OMG ! what a mess ! Zonas tape all the way for me .
LOL, there's definitely a method and if you use too much or don't have the right adhesive remover I can see where it could make a mess. ;)
 
Is there a specific amount of time that you leave them posted until you change them out and clean the ears? How long do you leave them un-posted after cleaning?
 

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