Ear post question

[DobieJo]

Hello everyone,
We are new to posting ears, we’ve had Dobermans before, but their ears were posted and standing when we adopted them. We recently got a new dobie puppy, she’s 11 weeks old and had her ears done at 8 weeks old, we’ve had her a week and have only just started posting, we’ve seen so many methods on posting, and opted to use the backer rod method with a bridge until she’s holding the base of her ears on her own and a bumper to help with any pockets, question is, after the post is inserted and before we tape, I’ve read to fold the front part of the ear over the rod, and then I’ve read to fold it away from the rod to get a sleeker look. I’ve only posted her once for 3 full days and I had the ear going with the rod, but I’m curious if I should be doing it the other way? I don’t want to mess up a beautiful crop.
She seems to have decent hold after just the 3 days, if I make a high pitched noise, she holds the up well, so I’m unsure how long to continue using the bridge as well?
Thanks for any advice
pic of her ears after her first posting…

 

[JanS]

What a pretty girl and the ears are off to a good start.

I’ve read to fold the front part of the ear over the rod, and then I’ve read to fold it away from the rod to get a sleeker look.

The fold goes to the back, like the natural fold does.

I’m unsure how long to continue using the bridge as well?

I only use it the first time or two of posting, then they have enough control to keep them up themselves.

Here are a couple posting tutorials that might help.

How to Post Cropped Ears (Video)

Finally had the chance to make this. Hope it is helpful to those new to posting ears. Feedback is appreciated.

doberman-chat.com

Doberman ear posting - improved method

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...

doberman-chat.com

 

[DobieJo]

Hi Jan,
Thanks for the advice/ video. I appreciate it.
We used a small section of construction grade zip tie under the tape instead of duct tape to firm up the backer rod, seemed to work well. We also put powder and a small piece of a cotton round at the bottom that goes in her ear to help with any moisture that might happen. Hopefully that’s all ok.
I appreciate you clarifying to take the front fold of the ear to the back instead of wrapping it forward around the post. Hopefully since we’ve only posted once, I haven’t done anything that can’t be undone. Since I’m folding the front ear towards the back, would you recommend using a bumper still? I’ll probably use a bridge for the next one, maybe 2 postings, then be done with it since she’s doing well holding them erect.

 

[JanS]

would you recommend using a bumper still?

No you shouldn't need that unless they really start pulling in and it's just an extra step.

 

[DobieJo]

Ok, thanks, that helpful to know about the bumper.

Sorry, just one more question, I just want to make sure that I am totally understanding you correctly (and the video as well) because I certainly don’t want to mess up her crop. In the pic I circled the front part of her ear, you’re saying to lay this part backwards, going towards the back of her head, then lightly tape it down? Not folding it forward over the rod, going towards the front. This is the part of posting that is so confusing to me. I want to make sure I understand exactly what I’m supposed to do.

 

[Ddski5]

you’re saying to lay this part backwards, going towards the back of her head, then lightly tape it down?

That is correct. That is the way that skin part of the ear is naturally folded- tape along with the natural fold.

Do not bend that part up and over and tape down. Just tape/go with the natural fold.

 

[DobieJo]

Thank you Ddski5, I appreciate it
We reposted her ears this evening with a bridge, will be the last time using a bridge, and no the bumpers this time. We gently folded the front skin part of the ear backwards, taping gently as well. We left the first 2 postings in for 3 days each before removing the post, cleaning and massaging her ears before reposting. Is 3 days for each posting the general rule or should we be leaving them in for 5 days?
Thanks again for all the helpful advice!

 

[Ravenbird]

Is 3 days for each posting the general rule or should we be leaving them in for 5 days?

While you're new at this and the puppy is young, I recommend 3 days max. A lot of damage can happen in 5 days if you get tape too tight or a sore in the ear and don't see it happening. The first month or so I changed them every 2 - 3 days. ALWAYS change them right away if they get wet. The tape can shrink and cut off circulation to the tips. Not to scare you, just be aware!

That puppy is cute as the dickens!!!

 

[DobieJo]

While you're new at this and the puppy is young, I recommend 3 days max. A lot of damage can happen in 5 days if you get tape too tight or a sore in the ear and don't see it happening. The first month or so I changed them every 2 - 3 days. ALWAYS change them right away if they get wet. The tape can shrink and cut off circulation to the tips. Not to scare you, just be aware!

That puppy is cute as the dickens!!!

No you shouldn't need that unless they really start pulling in and it's just an extra step.

While you're new at this and the puppy is young, I recommend 3 days max. A lot of damage can happen in 5 days if you get tape too tight or a sore in the ear and don't see it happening. The first month or so I changed them every 2 - 3 days. ALWAYS change them right away if they get wet. The tape can shrink and cut off circulation to the tips. Not to scare you, just be aware!

That puppy is cute as the dickens!!!

Thanks! Her name is Tessa, she’s been an absolute joy.
We lost our beloved Isabella almost a yr ago, after 12 wonderful yrs together, she was 15.6 when she passed and I was absolutely heartbroken and lost w/o her. Tess has helped my broken heart immensely.

Thank you so much for the helpful advice! We will change her post every 2 days then, better safe than sorry!
We also removed the bridge last night after reposting, she seemed to have enough control that the bridge isn’t needed now.

We really appreciate everyone who gave us wonderful, helpful advice. We are learning more every time we repost with the help from all of you guys!

 

[Ddski5]

I don’t think I ever left the post in for 5 days.. either they get wet, muddy or dirty from playing too hard- and there’s no way I will chance messing up those signature ears.

Usually changed every three days, that way it gave me a chance to reassess and fix anything if wrong.

 

[JanS]

I don’t think I ever left the post in for 5 days.

I always do unless they smell or get wet.

 

[DobieJo]

Ok, thank you both.
I think being a new “poster” I’ll split the difference and change her posts every 2-3 days, til I get much more comfortable with my postings, then I may try leaving them in for a few more days, depending on how dirty she gets them.
Thanks again!!!

 

[Rits]

I do 3 days the first few weeks. Let's me catch any issues right away. In my experience the ears seem to need to adjust to the tape, some get moist even when they never get wet. There is natural moisture in the air and coming from their skin. Ive found it doesn't smell enough early on nor can I see it so every 3 days then let's me clean the ear up and change the tape before it gets bad enough to smell through the tape and actually cause a problem. After a few weeks I'll extend the time by a few days. If I'm still posting past 6 months I leave them in for no longer than a week.

A big tell something is up is constant shaking or scratching past the initial "newness". If they suddenly start shaking their head or scratching at their ears or neck, check the posts!

 

[DobieJo]

Thank you. That makes a lot of sense to change them every 3 days to catch any issues that might happen to be there, especially since we’re new at posting.

I’ve done it 3x now and it’s definitely getting easier and I’m feeling more confident and more comfortable each time I do it.

With this third post, I omitted the bridge and the bumpers, the only thing I changed was folding the front ear flap backwards this time instead of folding it forward over the post.
Idk if that will hurt anything since the first couple times the flap went a different direction. Is it ok I changed direction or should I have stayed the other way since that’s the way I started posting…?

 

[Ddski5]

It is fine to fold it back in the natural fold and go with it.

I have posted two Dobermans this way and both sets of ears turned out beautiful.

Tbh, I do find it interesting and in question that a well reknown Doberman enthusiast and handler would post with folds going to the front….hmmm. Just interesting on that thought set up imo.

I am like @Jan, is her way of fold forward wrong? Prob not but would I chance it with my new pup? No…I would go with what I know and proven.

 

[DobieJo]

Thank you Ddski5, being very new to this posting process, I was unaware, so now that I know to fold to the back, I was worried about switching the folds direction to the back after having it fold to the front for the 1st two posting, which both posting were up for 3 days. She was posted again last night and we changed the direction of the fold towards the back, we will change it again in 3 days.
I was just worried that switching the direction would mess them up.
Thanks again for the help!!

 

[JanS]

No…I would go with what I know and proven.

My thoughts exactly. I have considered going the other way with Olive now that her bases are pretty solid to try to alleviate the tape dents but I'm still not sure if I want to risk it after coming this far.

As for how often to change them, just doing what works best for you is the way to go. I go a little longer now than I did with our first few pups but in my experience, the less you have to mess with them, the less trouble you'll have. Of course that's just my opinion and there's more than one way to do something.

 

[Ravenbird]

As for how often to change them, just doing what works best for you is the way to go. I go a little longer now than I did with our first few pups but in my experience, the less you have to mess with them, the less trouble you'll have.

I totally agree. Even after just one puppy you feel so much more confident! But first puppy? I couldn't sleep unless I'd done the ears. LOL.

 

[DobieJo]

oh trust me-I obsess over her ears every time we post! I guess what I mean when I say I’m more “comfortable and confident” is that I’m actually attempting it! Lol
I obsessively worry “Am I putting the post in deep enough? Did I put it in to deep? Are the ears leaning too far forward? Should they be back farther? (This seriously has me worried I’m not getting this part right) am I messing this up?” I posted them again tonight because she ran thru the sprinkler and got them wet, and I’ve looked at the posts over and over because I think they’re leaning to far forward (is that even a thing? Idk?) I know they’re supposed to be at 11 & 1 but are they supposed to be leaning forwards or outward? I think outward…but ?
I fretted endlessly about even getting a puppy because I was so worried about doing the ear posting. Still am really, so hopefully I won’t drive y’all crazy asking all these questions about posting. I really do appreciate all the helpful advice!

 

[Ddski5]

Don’t worry about your questions…I think I asked 5 everyday and wanted to ask 10 but refrained from appearing idiotic psychotic.

As far as the ears go…if you have them deep in the ears and secure with tape then everything else will take care of themselves. I use to push Ragnar’s down all the way to bottom of bell.

As far as too far forward/backward, 11/1, 10/2….ehhh, this is a good guideline but once the bridge is off and they establish individual ear control, I believe it’s really up to the Doberman to finish the job. You are not holding the ears at 11/1 without a bridge and they stay out of the bridge longer than they are in it.

I think the initial weeks with the bridge is the basic support foundation getting strong in prep to go independent without the bridge. If all that makes sense.

TLDR…
Don’t fret about it, if you are doing it right structure wise- then it will be okay in the long run.

Basic principles
1. Not too tight q with tape
2. Change often
3. Take bridge off once establish indiv ear control
4. Don’t get stupid and stop posting. Post through teething
5. Don’t test ears until close to finish teething
6. Never let Doberman sleep out of post unless absolutely sure the ears won’t break/crease.
7. Post yourself- not the vet