Irritated skin after removing stays

[Kaiser2016]

Ears are looking great! Keep it up through teething. Eventually you will figure out all his ear expressions.

 

[Ddski5]

If you are still using a bridge….I would stop.

Your pictures are showing he has good ear control, they look great. However, I am a little concerned with the second pict. He must have alerted really hard and fast for them to tepee in like that. Don’t worry, I think it happens to all our young pups but if you keep bridging right now, then you will cause pockets in which they will tepee all the time. If you get consistent pockets then you will need to start using bumpers.

In short, time to stop using the bridge.

 

[Mackenziejw]

Yes, All normal. Once set, you will be amazed at how expressive they are!

Ok awesome ! I get so worried. I want to make sure they post to success and perfectly! We’ll keep doing what we’re doing. How can we start testing them to see their strength? Should we wait until he’s done teething? It’s only been a month and a half of posting and they’re standing on their own for a couple of hours. I’m sure longer, but I put them back up after some air, some playing and a walk. Just want to know what to expect long term.. anyways just curious what the “testing” phase looks like (how long each time we remove stays, how do you increase the time, signs to look for etc)

 

[Mackenziejw]

If you are still using a bridge….I would stop.

Your pictures are showing he has good ear control, they look great. However, I am a little concerned with the second pict. He must have alerted really hard and fast for them to tepee in like that. Don’t worry, I think it happens to all our young pups but if you keep bridging right now, then you will cause pockets in which they will tepee all the time. If you get consistent pockets then you will need to start using bumpers.

In short, time to stop using the bridge.

Oh shoot ok. Yeah they don’t always touch but they do frequently.. when he’s alert and walking they stand straight and parallel.. but I have seen them touch quite a bit. We started putting a backer rod in as the bridge cause the duct tape was collapsing. Should we post and use no bridge ? If so I’ll start that tomorrow .. what should I be looking for going forward with regular posts and no bridge ?

 

[JanS]

Should we post and use no bridge ? If so I’ll start that tomorrow .. what should I be looking for going forward with regular posts and no bridge ?

Absolutely. I only use the bridge once or twice when I first start posting, then I want them to start to use their own muscles to control them. There is no need for the backer rod in between to keep them apart either. As for what you should be looking for without the bridge is to have the posts seated as deep in the ear as you can get them so they don't want to pull in. I didn't get one of Elroy's posts deep enough this last time we posted him so I can see it pulling in.

 

[Mackenziejw]

Absolutely. I only use the bridge once or twice when I first start posting, then I want them to start to use their own muscles to control them. There is no need for the backer rod in between to keep them apart either. As for what you should be looking for without the bridge is to have the posts seated as deep in the ear as you can get them so they don't want to pull in. I didn't get one of Elroy's posts deep enough this last time we posted him so I can see it pulling in.

Ok so the method we use is a popsicle stick that is rolled in paper towel and then a medical tape. It goes in to the area where the little nodule in his ear is (almost like the Tragus on a human) and we wrap it that way. So there’s nothing that actually goes into his ears. We tried the zip tie method where there was something cushioned in his ear and he lost his mind. Shaking his head, scratching and crying until I took them out. For hours he did that. So should I just post using the method I use and with no bridge starting tomorrow? We’ve been using the bridge for 1.5 months. Didn’t realize we were supposed to eliminate it! I feel so bad

 

[JanS]

Don't feel bad, you're doing your best.

Most of us use the backer rod method since the popsicle stick is really outdated and doesn't work as well.

Here's a step by step video on how to do it.

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

 

[Ravenbird]

How can we start testing them to see their strength? Should we wait until he’s done teething? It’s only been a month and a half of posting and they’re standing on their own for a couple of hours. I’m sure longer, but I put them back up after some air, some playing and a walk. Just want to know what to expect long term.. anyways just curious what the “testing” phase looks like (how long each time we remove stays, how do you increase the time, signs to look for etc)

As mentioned, no more bridge between the ears. Most of us use the backer rod deep down in the ear - the video that @JanS posted explains it all. Don't get in a hurry to test the ears! One hour at most to clean & dry & repost. After adult teeth come in you can leave them down for several hours at a time. First sign of drooping, put them back up. Last thing is leaving them open all night - this is when they can sleep hard on a folded ear and make a crease - adding more weeks to the process. Avoid cheating before teething and you will probably be home free.

 

[Mackenziejw]

Don't feel bad, you're doing your best.

Most of us use the backer rod method since they popsicle stick is really outdated and doesn't work as well.

Here's a step by step video on how to do it.

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

Ok I’ll start this tomorrow. What size backer rod? I have some but I think the width is too skinny. Whst if he

As mentioned, no more bridge between the ears. Most of us use the backer rod deep down in the ear - the video that @JanS posted explains it all. Don't get in a hurry to test the ears! One hour at most to clean & dry & repost. After adult teeth come in you can leave them down for several hours at a time. First sign of drooping, put them back up. Last thing is leaving them open all night - this is when they can sleep hard on a folded ear and make a crease - adding more weeks to the process. Avoid cheating before teething and you will probably be home free.

Ahh ok thanks for all your help. My breeder who has 6 dobes just told me I’m more likely to develop pockets without the bridge so now I am confused. So tough to know what to do. Just want to do the best thing for my boy

 

[Gpcoguy]

Dont over think it. Its not rocket surgery. Also like anything else in life it never goes perfectly. There were many times Id wake up in the morning or get home at the end of the day and Rose would have one or bothe posts out and it still worked out

 

[Mackenziejw]

Dont over think it. It’s not rocket surgery. Also like anything else in life it never goes perfectly. There were many times Id wake up in the morning or get home at the end of the day and Rose would have one or bothe posts out and it still worked outView attachment 131195

You’re right! Thanks for the support. I definitely am an over thinking and all the info can be overwhelming when you just wanna do the right thing ! I appreciate everyone’s support

 

[Rits]

We’ve been using the bridge for 1.5 months. Didn’t realize we were supposed to eliminate it! I feel so bad

Don't stress about it! It is not the end of the world at all. What works for each dog is different and everyone has their preference and believe it or not, a lot of them work. My breeder uses bridges the entire time and uses vet wrap and her ears always look great. I think it is easier however to recommend for those new to posting, to lose the bridge once they have control of their ears, so that you don't get a pocket as fixing it can take some time, but it isn't like it is incurable.

I've had to use half posts as I'm finding my boys ears are super sensitive to anything inside of them. With those, I also have to use a bridge off and on since there isn't the full support of a post inside the ear canal. It really is about developing an eye and feel for what you need at each posting.

I agree, your boy's left ear is starting to lean so next post or two, no bridge and observe.

 

[Ddski5]

Should we post and use no bridge ? If so I’ll start that tomorrow .. what should I be looking for going forward with regular posts and no bridge ?

In my opinion:
If you keep using the bridge now, you will develop pockets for sure. You are really on the verge of having his ears tepee all the time.

If you take the bridge off now and let his ears gain full control and get stronger then there is a good chance you can fix it without any bumpers.

I know it’s confusing that you are hearing different things….

Be me??
-No doubt bridge would come off now
-Post with backer rod per the video Jan posted
-Do not test ears until ~6months, no matter how good they look during changing

Too many folks come on here with creased broken ear cartilage wanting to know how to fix. Poor puppy with one ear up and other down. Problem is that once cartilage hardens….it’s pretty much done.

Stay diligent and post through teething which is usually 6-7months old. Both my male and female had funky weak left ears- I posted both through 7.5months.

 

[Ddski5]

Addition:

When you drop the bridge, the ears will prob flail around like a 4y/o doing cartwheels. It’s okay, he will catch up and get familiar to having his ears loose. What’s important is that when he alerts, he is able to control the ears to stand correct. At first, they will prob tepee in but give a couple of days and he will fix it by gaining muscle strength 360dg around the ears.

 

[Mackenziejw]

Addition:

When you drop the bridge, the ears will prob flail around like a 4y/o doing cartwheels. It’s okay, he will catch up and get familiar to having his ears loose. What’s important is that when he alerts, he is able to control the ears to stand correct. At first, they will prob tepee in but give a couple of days and he will fix it by gaining muscle strength 360dg around the ears.

Ok awesome. We’re going to remove these stays tomorrow and redo after his ears breathe and we train them a bit. We’ll re post with no bridge and I’ll update you guys. This has helped me so much so thanks to everyone. Sometimes I feel alone in the process. Don’t know anyone with a dobe and again, just want the best for my boy

 

[Mackenziejw]

Ok awesome. We’re going to remove these stays tomorrow and redo after his ears breathe and we train them a bit. We’ll re post with no bridge and I’ll update you guys. This has helped me so much so thanks to everyone. Sometimes I feel alone in the process. Don’t know anyone with a dobe and again, just want the best for my boy

His brothers ears are a lot furthur apart. I was speaking with someone else in the litter and she sent me a photo of his ears and I realize onyx’s are a lot closer. Is there a spacing that’s ideal. Furthur apart vs more parallel. ??

 

[Ddski5]

Ehhh….I don’t think there is a spacing issue with Dobermans unless they don’t have the full muscle strength the bring both ears to midline. Don’t know if I’ve ever seen a Doberman that could not bring his ears to midline. Most of the time, ear issues are from broken/creased cartilage. That would be a good question for @JanS

I suspect Onyx’s brother either has not strengthened those muscles enough just yet or he is just not calling for his ears to come 90dg erect at that moment.

I know both of mine do not have their ears at 90dgs erect all the time. Actually, they let them casually position most of the time. Now when they hear something and they go alert? Then it’s on and they could pop a balloon. Just as @Kaiser2016 poster in the picture- there are many ear positions of a Doberman, being 90dgs erect is only one of them.

 

[Rits]

His brothers ears are a lot furthur apart. I was speaking with someone else in the litter and she sent me a photo of his ears and I realize onyx’s are a lot closer. Is there a spacing that’s ideal. Furthur apart vs more parallel. ??

As stated they don't always carry them straight up at the base. However, the tips of his brother's ears aren't nearly as straight as your boys ears either. If I saw those red ears on my own puppy (ignoring the age) I'd know for sure we wouldn't be done posting, they need pulled up on and continued posting. No amount of alert expression is going to straighten those tips out from the base through the tip. A lot of people tend to see ears like that and think they are done! But if you look at the outside edge, you can see that they are slightly hanging from the weight of the upper half and are not done. I'm a bit nit pickier and think, I came all this way, why not get the ear straight!

Fortunately, you are at an early enough ear posting stage and they have only been pulled in for one posting (the previous posting his ears are perfect!) that you can easily fix the inward pulling by this next posting or two. Don't stress it too much, as long as you fix the problem at this early stage when you start seeing it you will be fine.

I'll give an example of how quickly things can turn around just from changing one posting! My girl had only one ear that was weak (~11 weeks old) that she just wasn't able to pull up, so I loosely bridged the next posting to help her out with the weight of her ear while she got used to it. She was only bridged like this for 5 days and her ears were perfect when we changed postings! So I took how her ears looked and knew she needed no bridge the next time and after that we were forever done with the bridge.












Can't wait to see what his ears look like in a posting change or two! I bet you will get them looking right back the way they were like the posting before

 

[Ravenbird]

His brothers ears are a lot furthur apart. I was speaking with someone else in the litter and she sent me a photo of his ears and I realize onyx’s are a lot closer. Is there a spacing that’s ideal. Furthur apart vs more parallel. ??

LOL, (not laughing at you, I promise) - just LOL, because we ALL compare, especially when unsure about stuff. It's our nature. BUT, it's best to not compare, even litter-mates. Keep your eyes on your puppy from post to post and judge only how he is progressing or regressing. You're doing fine. Show us a photo of your new posting with backer rod for feedback. The #1 thing to keep them from shaking is to go DEEPER, not more shallow, by pulling straight up on the ear. You can't go too deep, it's a 90 degree turn down there so the backer rod can only go to that point. If you think about it like wearing foam earplugs yourself, when you get them really deep it makes everything quiet and the plugs are snug. If they are not deep enough they are loose, you hear the muffled sound of the earplug itself wiggling and can drive you nuts.

 

[JanS]

His brothers ears are a lot furthur apart. I was speaking with someone else in the litter and she sent me a photo of his ears and I realize onyx’s are a lot closer.

The natural ear set can vary a lot from dog to dog so that has nothing to do with the posting process.