[omikron]

New puppy with strange looks

Hi guys... I have a doberman 4 months old puppy which is looking too serious for he age... what do you think?

 

[CH4Sure]

I think he's really cute, what do you mean too serious? Also, why are his ears taped under his neck? never saw that before, it doesn't look too comfortable, maybe thats why hes serious??? hes uncomfortable?

 

[melbrod]

They grow up too fast, that's for sure

He doesn't really need that much tape--if you look in the DT educational forum, there's a section on ears and taping that might give you some hints to make life easier when it comes to posting

Welcome to DT from Colorado!!

 

[tuxedojack]

Cute puppy - maybe he is looking serious cause he's choking? That tape looks awfully tight, why do you have it around his head??

 

[omikron]

thank you! yes, she is cute but very serious at the same time. she spends more time laying next to me instead of playing with her toys(and we got a lot of them). sometimes when I get her out of the box she doesnt even play and sits next to me. sometimes when something carries her attention she focus on that and watches so serious not even an eye is moving if you get my point.... the tape its very relaxed under the neck ;-) and at this stage we have to keep the ears firm. I have seen the results of this method in my breeder's dogs and they look perfect

 

[Adara]

I wouldn't say that's "serious" but more low energy If she's always been that way.

I'll also agree it sure seems like an odd way to tape. I'd use much less tape on the ears and let them breathe also. I've never taped under the neck like that or seen it before myself.

 

[StarlightDobe]

What is the tape under the neck supposed to do for the ears? It doesnt appear to be supporting them in any way, from what I can see in the pics.
I would try maybe giving her a vitamin supplement, but check with the breeder or vet to see what she may need to raise her energy level, maybe she isnt getting enough nutrition, and is tired as a result?
Im not sure, I have never had that problem, my dogs have always been on the high side of energy.

 

[dobesrus]

she probably doesn't want to play because that tape is hurting her. She can hardly move and probably feels like she's choking every time she does move. That tape needs cut off NOW

 

[CH4Sure]

thats what I was thinking Starlight, if anything it looks like they would pull them sideways not together upright, plus be very careful watching that puppy with the tape on her neck, if that tape gets caught on anything it can be a choking hazzard.

 

[omikron]

No guys, the tape is not tight, its just a photo and an optical illusion. her skin can be stretched so much that's why you get that impression. as for the method I will show you some pictures of her bigger brother to tell me your opinion about the ear work which was the same :neutral:

 

[PatchworkRobot]

Welcome to DT, your girl is a cutie!

I agree that she just sounds low key. My boy wasn't terribly interested in toys until he was about 6 months old. He plays with them now but not like the more energetic puppies. I have to ask, do you know much about dobermans? They are considered a very "velcro" breed that always wants to be with you. Your girl wanting to be by you always is NORMAL for the breed. Heck, most of us here can't go to the bathroom alone because our dogs want to be with us always.

Now, I know that you said that the "chin strap" was loose but it looks tight in every picture. I've honestly NEVER seen a posting job like that with so much tape. Just like Adara said, please make sure the ears have a chance to breath and also be sure that the tape isnt so tight that it's cutting off circulation in her ears.

Edit: Here is a typical picture of my pup at 14 weeks. Most of his pictures showed him with this expression and, as I said, he was never big on toys but just liked to follow his person around. He's more playful now that he's older but more-so with other dogs than with toys.

 

[o0 sHaDoWoLf 0o]

I have to agree, regardless if the tape is tight or not that looks uncomfortable. The only time I have seen that is ONLY when the ears are just done being cropped and the stitches are being protected for the first few days of recovery like this.

after that it gets taken off and if you want to keep the ears firm you use a bridge, if anything it can possibly pull the ear set down when Ideally you want them further up.

Don't take our advice as we are attacking you, there are a lot of breeders, pet owners here on DT that have posted for YEARS and they know what they are talking about.

here is a picture of my boy and his posting job.

his ears also needed to be held firm but instead of a chin strap there is a bridge

 

[CH4Sure]

I would still be very careful, it doesn't look like there is any air able to get in the ears at all with all that tape, maybe she doesn't hear you and thats why she's too serious. Is there any tape in the middle of the ears to help them stand them up? if the tape under her neck is loose then there is no reason for it to be there, other than being a choking hazard. I've never seen a dogs ears taped like that. They need some air to get into them I would think to prevent infection and so they could hear.

 

[omikron]

The breeder is working on the ears, I am doing absolutely nothing ^^ but if I take the situation on my hands I will probably destroy the dog :/
And I guess its a tradition to tape ears like this here in this country since many of the others does the same too ^^ Dogs get healthy somehow eventhough ears don't take air and the result is the expected. Maybe in the USA you have better equipment as shown from > o0 sHaDoWoLf 0o <...


ps: you guys have very cute puppies in fact!

 

[o0 sHaDoWoLf 0o]

The breeder is working on the ears, I am doing absolutely nothing ^^ but if I take the situation on my hands I will probably destroy the dog :/
And I guess its a tradition to tape ears like this here in this country since many of the others does the same too ^^ Dogs get healthy somehow eventhough ears don't take air and the result is the expected. Maybe in the USA you have better equipment as shown from > o0 sHaDoWoLf 0o <...


ps: you guys have very cute puppies in fact!

where are you from? If you do decide to take things into your own hands there is a TON of help on here to help you. But like I said in my last post with that chin strap and no bridge you can be pulling her ear set down. When I say that I mean the base of her ears and where they should sit.

Do you have any pictures of her with her tape off?

 

[omikron]

I am from Greece. There is a "bridge" between her ears on the top of her skull which is not the same style as in your puppy , tape is crossed between them very firm.
In 5-7 days we will change the tape and then I will ask him all this questions, might be interesting to give you answers aswell so we enlight ourselfs more.

 

[o0 sHaDoWoLf 0o]

Ahh well ask lots questions. If you take your finger and place it in the same spot her strap is even with a light push at the throat its uncomfortable to swallow. She doesn't look very comfortable in her pics. From the sound of it you are doing the best to your knowledge.

 

[kingbrehm]

Your puppy is very cute!

sometimes when I get her out of the box she doesnt even play

What do you mean by this? Her crate?

 

[CH4Sure]

Omikron its your dog, I understand and I'm sure we all appreciate that your breeder is handling the ears, but in all honesty, taping ears is not rocket science and it is your dog and I would insist that when the breeder retapes the ears, tell her you do not wish to have tape under the neck, its your dog not the breeders and just because her brothers ears turned out nice doesn't mean you'rs will, its all skill by the vet who does the cropping and alot of luck in my opinion. tape under the neck guarantees nothing except that your poor pup has to suffer and be uncomfortable for months on end.

 

[omikron]

Your puppy is very cute!



What do you mean by this? Her crate?

Yes, we use the term "box" to describe it here ;p

Omikron its your dog, I understand and I'm sure we all appreciate that your breeder is handling the ears, but in all honesty, taping ears is not rocket science and it is your dog and I would insist that when the breeder retapes the ears, tell her you do not wish to have tape under the neck, its your dog not the breeders and just because her brothers ears turned out nice doesn't mean you'rs will, its all skill by the vet who does the cropping and alot of luck in my opinion. tape under the neck guarantees nothing except that your poor pup has to suffer and be uncomfortable for months on end.

I appreciate your interest to help and I am taking your words into account. I am just waiting until the next meeting to talk about this. Valid argumentation is always accepted, isn't it?