My recent issues are due to some things you have said and then explained that you were trying to say something different.

That is what my issues are. Nothing more, nothing less.

I have stated before that I find it odd that you say something and then say something completely contradictory.

But, that is your prerogative, so I will stop responding to your posts.

 Quote: kori bigge

So if Kodee does have a "soft ear", and that's different than an ear that's slow to stand, would his ear never go the rest of the way up if I didn't tape it?

I would guess that it wouldn't ever stand... but who knows?? Those who don't really mind and do nothing will most likely end up with a dog who has one ear up, one ear down - those inclined to be concerned can take the steps you're researching (like increasing calcium - and I've heard vitamin C too, which aids calcium absorption) to HELP it stand, and I think most of the time they're successful - so don't worry TOO much! Just think of all those Dobermans and Great Danes who naturally have folded ears, but with cropping and taping during cartilage formation have quite strong UPWARDS pointing ears - solely because of human ingenuity! (or perversity, depending on how you look at it )

I can only relate to floppy eared dogs, but RRs (and other hounds I'm sure) can have sort of inverse problems - instead of folding over neatly in line with the top of the head, their ears can start to stand UP a little too much, giving them "flying nun" ears... not at all desirable by the standard. The ears start to do this around teething age and people are advised to adjust diet, massage the cartilage and also tape with small weights at the ear tips, just to help naturally pull the ear into place. If nothing is done during this stage, the ears stay this way through adulthood. Sooo, I'd guess that without a little help, Kodee's genetics just predispose him to an ear that doesn't stand up all the way on it's own. He's still a very handsome little guy, regardless of how his ears turn out... But good luck!!

~Natalya

Soft ears and ears that are slow to stand are one in the same in my book. Other people may have different definitions but for the sake of argument here, that's my definition. ( the mother of Kelly's dog had ears that were "SLOW TO STAND" but they stand up very well, funny thing, she produces dogs with soft ears that are slow to stand or that do not stand at all)

I will say it again, soft ears are predisposed by genetics. That's why some GSDs and Mals have ears that don't stand or are slow to stand. Just like coat type and color are determined by genetics, so are ear size,shape, thickness of leather and placement on the head.

Some breeding dogs produce soft ears, some dogs produce small ears, some breeding dogs produce huge ears, etc.......

Taping and good diet can help, but diet alone will not cause a dog who has ears that are genetically pre-determined to be soft or slow to stand to have ears that miraculously stand up.

Of course, some dogs have ears that have been damaged in an accident or by a hematoma...this isn't what I am talking about here.

On the other side of the argument, have you ever seen an uncropped Doberman or Schnauzer that has ears that stand? They look perpetually surprised! I have seen quite a few in all my years as a groomer and working in vet clinics.. So did these dogs have ears that stood because the owners fed a raw diet? Nope... genetics at work.

Having just read this thread, the only thing I think I read that would concern me is that you mentioned the pipe insulation being rolled tight and taped to make the form for the ear. Make sure there is good air flow into the ear canal. I can't really tell if there is any space in the photo. Heat will cause the dog to mess with the ear more and sets up a wonderful warm dark place for crap to grow.

For the purposes of taping that ear, you might want to clip away the hair on the inside of the ear and possibly the outside as well. If you decide to use skin-bond glue, you will need to.

Thanks, Deanna. I actually didn't roll the insulation when I re-taped it this afternoon, as I thought that having it rolled too small might have been why it didn't stay in place better. I think the insulation will stay better opened up (his ear can breathe better now, too), and I cut it to fit the shape of his ear this time. It's also not so heavy this way, and so far he's left it alone for the last 6 or 7 hours. (yippee!) I will make sure to clip his hair (he has so MUCH of it near his ears!) before I use any glue. I was just making do with what I had on hand until I can get to the store (tomorrow, I think). I will also be buying some of those "safety scissors" with the blunt tip, since I'm a one-woman show when it comes to doing anything with Kodee (and I like it that way just fine). LOL!

Thanks again!

 Quote: Cindy Easton Rhodes

Taping and good diet can help, but diet alone will not cause a dog who has ears that are genetically pre-determined to be soft or slow to stand to have ears that miraculously stand up.

Absolutely in agreement, here. No miracles.

 Quote: Cindy Easton Rhodes

On the other side of the argument, have you ever seen an uncropped Doberman or Schnauzer that has ears that stand? They look perpetually surprised!

They do! Maybe you know why my APBT's uncropped ears, that normally flop really cute stand straight up when she's eating certain fresh meat. Usually, it's fresh venison, sometimes frozen, but never anything boring like chicken or THK, etc. It's the most bizarre thing I have ever seen in my life. And they're not standing b/c her head is down; they continue to stand regardless of head position. Huge bat ears. Realllllly weird. Any guesses?

Not to hijack Kori's thread, but this part of Cindy's post made me wonder about Mia's goofy multiple-personality ears.

Deanna's concern was my concern, too. I don't know if it would work for Kodee, but that's why I like the shoe insert idea; nothing is down inside the ear canal. It looks to me like Kodee's ear stands at the base, it just flops over at the top.

He's cute regardless, and thanks again for the PM.

I went to the pharmacy today and got the molefoam inserts, and some more tape. They didn't have any skin bond, and I asked about colostomy bag glue, and they looked at me like I was from another planet, but I've heard that this glue works better and is easier on the skin than the skin bond.

Anyway, yesterday's taping job is still in great shape, and once it comes off (whether I do it or Kodee does it) I will probably try the shoe insert next, and not have it down at the base of the ear (if I can get it to stay with just tape) - you're right, the base of his ear does stand on it's own, usually. Thank you all for all of your help. I'll post "after" pictures once I'm done taping. Cross your fingers!

Good luck, Kori. Fingers crossed.

We have been fighting with our huskies ears to stay up since he came home, he is much younger (and not a GSD lol) but generally they are born with standing up ears or they come up within a few weeks of birth.
The vet told me anytime until about 16 months can ears lift and fall.

When I started his kefir made with inulin and extra calcium for a day or two I saw a major difference, literally from flat floppy lab like ears to semi-up proper husky ears. One of them stays totally upright for part of the time now before the tips flops back down. He looks like a totally different dog with his little ears up and he moves them like a cat to convey emotion or attitude.

Now if i forget it for a day or two his left ears starts to droop noticably again.

He isnt totally on raw yet because he doesnt like the bones..no teeth right now except those front needles, and some really sore looking gums.....but he is eating Innova EVO, some meat and the Kefir, as well as salmon jerky for training treats.

So I do think that whole food sourced calcium makes a big difference in our little ones with stubborn ears.