How to Train Collie Ears

Collies are smart, capable of learning quickly and good with children. The TV program "Lassie" solidified their reputation as family dogs. Part of the look associated with collies is the curl at the tips of their ears. This look does not always develop naturally, but you can train their ears to fit the standard by holding them erect and taped over for a period of time.

Things You'll Need

  • Moleskin
  • Scissors
  • Adhesive
  • Duct tape
  • Cotton balls
  • Adhesive remover
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut out four dots of moleskin, approximately 3/4 of an inch in diameter.

    • 2

      Peel the non-stick backing off one dot, apply adhesive to the sticky side of the dot, then fasten it to the non-stick side of a second dot, creating a double-thick dot with moleskin on one side and a sticky side (which still has its non-stick backing on) on the other. Repeat for the remaining two dots.

    • 3

      Cut a piece of moleskin in the shape of a shallow U, 3-1/2 inches wide, 1/2 inch tall at the ends of the U, with a 1/4-inch tall piece connecting the ends.

    • 4

      Peel back the adhesive backing at the ends of the U, and cut the backing off, keeping the backing on the strip connecting the two ends.

    • 5

      Apply adhesive to each end section, and place a dot on each, with the non-sticky side down.

    • 6

      Cut two pieces of duct tape, 3/4 inches wide, 2 inches long.

    • 7

      Bend one piece of tape back and form a loop, sticky side out, then pass the second piece of tape through the loop and bend it back into its own loop, sticky side out. Press down on two loops to form a single patch, sticky on both sides.

    • 8

      Repeat the tape patch a second time, then trim a small cut out of two adjacent corners on each patch. The sides of the patches with two corners clipped are the top of each patch.

    • 9

      Pour adhesive remover on a cotton ball and clean the inside of the collie's ears, then let dry.

    • 10

      Pull back on the skin at the top of the head gently so that the ears are pulled toward each other, then peel the non-stick backing off each of the circular pads, and secure one on the inside of each ear, about 1/4 inch below where you want the ears to fold over. The ears should now be held erect and high on the head.

    • 11

      Place one patch of tape on each circular pad, then bend the tip of the collie's ear down to the tape, leaving the ears erect, but folded over at the top.

    • 12

      Repeat after the brace has fallen out naturally in about a week until the ears reach the desired shape.