How to Tape Your Puppy's Ears

Certain dog breeds that are shown in competition, require specific placement of the ears. In order to achieve this on some animals -- taping, or training the ears into place -- is required. As the cartilage forms, the ears are held in place, to ensure the correct placement. This method creates the desired effect, without harming the dog.

Things You'll Need

  • White paper towel
  • Torbot liquid bonding cement - latex
  • Torbot Tacaway adhesive remover
  • Zonos porous tape by Johnson and Johnson in 1 inch width
  • Corset stays in various lengths up to 8 inches, or plastic zip ties
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the dog's ear from the nub just above the entrance to the ear, to the tip. Pick a corresponding length of corset stay, or cut zip ties to length. The stay should be long enough to support the ear, without dipping down inside, or hanging over the top.

    • 2

      Cut a piece of tape. It must be three inches longer than the stay you are using. Lay the stay on the tape, with the end near the bottom. Leave 1/4 inch for the tape to seal, and place another shorter piece -- that just covers the stay -- on top, sandwiching them together. Your three inches will overhang at the top. Paint the side with the shorter tape with glue.

    • 3

      Fold a piece of paper towel in half -- then in fourths -- so it looks like a long strip. Fold this over itself into a pillow. For a puppy you want this to be approximately 1 1/2-inches wide, by 2-inches long. Cover it with tape.

    • 4

      Cut four strips of tape 8 to 9 inches long and set them aside.

    • 5

      Roll the pillow up, in a strip of tape, and coat it with the glue. Set this aside; so it gets tacky.

    • 6

      Paint a strip of glue on the inside of the puppy's ear, from the bottom to the top. Hold the ear in the air for a few moments -- until the glue gets tacky. Attach the stay to the ear on the strip of glue. Position the side of the stay you painted with glue, so it is facing the glue strip in the ear.

    • 7

      Fold the top of the tape overhang down over the outside of the ear and secure. Do not fold or cramp the tip of the ear; just gently lay the tape over the top.

    • 8

      Attach the pillow to the stay -- just above, or resting nearly on the nub inside the dog's ear. This pillow will act as a cushion, to keep the stay from flopping and sliding down. Be sure to center the pillow over the nub.

    • 9

      Place a tape strip across the pillow, and lay it around the base of the ear. Do not pull tight, or squeeze the ear together. Repeat with the other ear. Now take the extra strip of tape and place it on end, on one ear base. Pull the ears up, across the head, and tape to the other ear, to hold them in place.

    • 10

      Check the ears daily for sores, swelling or odor. If there are no problems, let them come down on their own, and re-tape as needed. Leave a day or two between removal and new tapes; so the ears can rest. If tape, or pieces remain adhered to the ear, remove them with the adhesive remover.