Can You Tape an Older Collie's Ears?

While your definition of "older" is subjective, you can indeed tape an older collie's ears. However, the results vary, based on the dog's genetics and your own determination to tape them at the right times. During specific periods in a collie's lifetime, taping does the most good: teething phase, the heat cycle of females, and stressful times.

  1. Purpose

    • A collie with correct ears.

      The purpose of ear taping, also known as "tipping," "training" or "bracing," is to train the puppy's ears to have the correct carriage, position and shape as the dog matures. Once the musculature and cartilage of a collie's ears mature, you can not improve their ear carriage very much.

    Taping Times

    • A handful of methods can be used to brace collie puppy ears. Most collie breeders have their own favorite system. For instance; Melinda and Duane Sunnarborg of Burlywood Collies tape and cross-brace collie ears when the pups are 7 1/2 weeks old. The Sunnarborgs keep the dogs taped as long as needed, which is typically until the pup is 4 1/2 months old. The Sunnarborgs note that the ear tape can stay on considerably longer, though.

    Stress Periods

    • Collies are known to be good-minded family dogs. However, throughout its lifetime, your collie may encounter stressful periods, and some breeders recommend tipping a dogs ears during these times. Each collie is unique, but dogs can experience stress during thunderstorms, fireworks, or during a period of separation from or within their family.

    Considerations

    • Before taping your older dogs ears, know that some people consider it a cruel practice. Also, if you do not plan to show your dog, there is really no reason to alter its ear shape. If you still want to tape your dogs ears, have a discussion with the breeder and your vet before you move forward. The breeder can give you taping technique insight based on the dog's parentage, and the vet can assure you the dog's ears are healthy before you begin. You must also have a very clear understanding of the collie breed standard and requirements for ear carriage. Do not tape a collies ears until you understand the desired effect.

    Collie Ears Breed Standard

    • According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), a collie's ears must be in proportion to the size of the head. When a collie is alert, the ears must be drawn well up, and are carried about three-fourths erect. About one-fourth of the ear should break forward.