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The Ear was UP! I'm SOOOO Sad! Now What?

3K views 14 replies 8 participants last post by  triciakoontz 
#1 ·
Hi Everyone.

I initially inquired regarding the success of PermaStays . (Or not.) I took all the advice offered and continued posting. Chloe turned 2 August 21'st. One week later I took down the posts. Her ear stood perfect! (Well, you guys are a tough crowd, lol. Perfect for us, probably just ok for others.) But it stood for 2 weeks and 5 days. Yesterday I came home from work and it was down. I cried. I know, I know. What can I say. Last night I reposted it after observing her for a couple hours. You can literally see the muscles on the top of her head working when she focuses on something and is on "alert". The ear would go up for a few seconds, then fall. I just don't know what to do. I know implants aren't the answer for us. Should I try moleskin/foam? Keep posting? I'm keeping an eye on her teeth also, She has four teeth I can easily see that are thru a bit, but it's obvious there is more growing to be done. Should I just be happy she HAS an ear and get the hell over it? I'm including a photo taken in the yard about a week in. I know the ears aren't perfect, but I would have been thrilled with the way they were (in this pic) for the rest of both of our lives. My son in law says I have too much time invested, keep going. EVERYONE else in my family says stop. One member is threatening to put signs in our front yard saying "Free Chloe" or "Free the Ear". They think I'm crazy. Maybe I am. I looked at the post where people are offering to help with posting. I'm 40 min N of Chicago and I didn't see any close by. (and I mean 3 hours or less) I'm willing to drive! Also, in the pic lying by the pond. The ear facing the camera is the "problem" ear. About 1/3 of the way down (from the tip) is a thick crease/line. That's where it folds. But the left ear has the same thing. My hubby thinks the ear I'm having problems with feels less firm. I don't agree but I'm throwing it out there. I'm starting to seriously quote The Serenity Prayer. You know, God Grant Me the Serenity To Accept the things I cannot change...." I've never been good at accepting something can't be done. Thanks for your input and letting me vent/whine. After TWO YEARS of posting I thought we were done. I was so happy for 2 weeks, 5 days. I don't know what happened.
 

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#2 ·
Romeo, don't give up. I had a girl that took just as long. I whined and cried too! I even gave up at age 2 and wrote the breeder saying it just wasn't going to stand and we would have to live with it.
Her advice to me was, 'Just keep posting.' Well, I sucked it in and did just that. Two weeks later after posting continually. They stood! Just like a miracle. lol
You can do it - they will stand. Just do not let them rest even a day for they next month - or so. You are almost there.
 
#3 ·
I wouldn't give up, not if that ear stood for over two weeks. There are a couple of things though--dogs who have been posted continuously can, if they reach a point where you think their ears should be standing do just fine with the ears out of posts and then either overnight or after a nap, get up with one ear down--all the way down to the skull. 10 or 20 minutes later after a trip out to potty or while waiting for breakfast the ear will pop up again (but you say you observed her for two hours and it never stood so that may not be one of the --ooops I slept on my ear and it fell down--deals. But it does suggest that the ears are really close to standing and if it's only one ear--one ear is often not as strong as the other and I've had puppies where they were going to shows with one ear up in a post which we'd take down just to show them and then it was posted again, immediately.

If you are using full posts on backing rod, tampons or pipe insulation I wouldn't try posting with mole foam--it isn't nearly as effective as several other types of posts. Works best to straighten out a ear tip that is tipping either in or out--some people find it is more effective to straighten those out than Breathe-Rite strips.

I do have a question though--what do you mean she has four teeth that you can see are through a bit? At two years she should have all permanent teeth fully in. In fact most puppies have all of their permanent teeth in by six months . There are some exceptions to that but in general that would be very unlikely--just saying.

And I think that heavy "crease or line" that you see on both ears is the place where the ear leather folds to flatten the ear against the dogs head. It's normal and should be there.

I just wouldn't stop now--and those ears look good--I'd be happy with ears that stood like that and I'm about as picky as they come.

dobebug
 
#4 · (Edited)
I would also keep posting. If the ear is folding near the base you might be able to just use a small section of backer rod on the weak spot. The way I do it is wrap the backer rod with a small piece of shurtape double sided tape, set it on the nodule (some call it the popcorn) then squeeze it on to the ear. To finish just grab a 4 or 5" strip of zonas tape and go all the way around the ear. Change it once a week or so.



This is the tape. It is "duct tape" but it's not sticky like you would think so works perfect for this. Still I would use clippers to remove excess hair first.

 
#5 ·
Thank you everyone! You guys give me the mental boost I need! Regarding her teeth. I was told as long as her teeth are coming thru her ears and teeth are fighting for calcium. The four I referred to are thru but maybe only 1/16. Her incisors, etc are quite impressive! So maybe this is normal for a doberman. Chloe sees the vet as normal (& two more I saw for her ears. ) No one has said her teeth are too small or anything regarding her teeth period. Probably me. My last two guys were German Shepherds. Saint Max and my sweetheart Romeo. (That's where my name comes from. We had a menagerie for a bit. Once I said "yes, Romeos mine too!" And it stuck. Anyhow. I tried backer rods, tampons and long age mole foam. I incorporated a couple ways into my own. I buy hair curling rods at the dollar tree. Various sizes and lengths. I love them. They appear very close in texture to backrod. Thin, thick, long, and longer. I take out the thin metal rod inside. (Tempting to leave in - the support! Lol) But I know better. Then I incorporate the rest from the video posted here. Duct tape, zip ties, zonas tape. I also use some sticky wipes in the inside of her ear and powder the post tip. Ok. I'm going to continue posting. Final question. The pic of the double sided duct/but not sticky tape. I have never seen that! Where can I buy it? I'm going to phone search for that next. When posting, I think you mean I don't have ro post all the way to the tip, yes? I know I can do it. It looks rather tight at the base. Mine have never been that tight. But i get the concept. A tubular effect if you will. I'll check back. I'm going to search for that tape. I imagine another brand will do in a pinch if absolutely necessary. Thank you to everyone who is taking time out of their own lives to help all us new Dobie lovers. I'm crazy in love with my girl and I think she looks kinda regal when they BOTH stand.. I'm reenergized and committed!To hell with other opinions! Shun the non believers! 😉
 
#6 ·
Re: the teeth - no, that's not a normal bite, but there are some terrible mouths out there in Dobermans. Missing teeth and teeth that are pretty poorly formed (pet peeve of mine). Sounds like she may be one of those.
 
#7 ·
I have seen some judges complaining on various groups/boards that some Dobermans have got teeth that are too small these days and that we should be paying more attention to mouths. So, I'd guess she's got that situation going on.

And I'm also a vote for keep posting! If it looked like you were there, I'd have to guess you're getting close so don't give up! But I do admire the humour in your family about freeing her. ;-)
 
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