Please pay close attention to the “Ear Crop Aftercare” instructions enclosed in your Adoption Packet.

Posts need to be changed at least every 7 - 10 days to clean the ears and prevent infection. 

Posts MUST be changed immediately when they get wet to avoid infection.

Really stretch the ear up tight when taping. The tape does not need to be tight around the ear but the ear itself should be pulled up taught while its posted. 

We recommend posting at night after the puppy gets in some good exercise and always give it treats once done.

Spend time massaging the ears when you get the tape off. This helps the puppy relax and will make posting easier.

Keep a stock of posting supplies ALWAYS. You never know when you might need to quickly repost. (Sudden rain shower or splash in a puddle).

Do not use vet wrap (stretchy self sticking wrap comes in all colors, also called co flex or flexy wrap etc)- it tightens and shrinks from heat and can cut off ear circulation and require ear amputation. 

Do not allow your puppy to sleep overnight with un-posted ears until you're SURE they can stay up on their own for days/weeks at a time. Sleeping is when the ears make the most progress.

Do not stop posting until the ears stand fully straight up all the way from base to tip, not bending in or out, and stay that way for weeks at a time. A good rule of thumb is to wrap the ears until the pup has lost all baby teeth. With a standard ear crop, you typically need to post until the puppy is 8 - 9 months old.

Do not leave the ears unposted for more than a couple of hours. Leaving the ears down for just 1 day will delay the progress by a week. We do not leave them unposted for more than an hour, even on post change days. Keep it consistent for the dog which will ensure their comfort. The key is to keep posting! It never hurts to post a little longer. 

Call / text / email us any time with pics or questions


Materials We Use: (some are provided for you in your adoption package)

Backer Rod
You can source backer rod from your local Hardware store. (Home Depot, Lowes, Amazon etc.)
Size ( depends on the age of your puppy):

• Up to 2.5 months:  3/8 inch (3 ft)
• 2.5 - 4 months:  5/8 inch thickness (6 ft)
• Older than 4 months:  3/4 inch (6 - 10 ft)
• Depending on the type of crop and the puppy itself, sizes may vary slightly. 
• You only need about 2 - 3 feet for every month you are posting.

Duck tape or Duct Tape

• Used to strengthen the backer rod.

Medical Breathable Tape 

• We use Johnson and Johnson Zonas medical breathable tape
• One or two rolls per month.

Torbot Skin Bonding Cement

• Using skin bonding cement makes the posts last longer and saves you a lot of time changing the posts.

Uni-Solve Adhesive Remover

• Used to remove remaining tape glue or skin bonding agent in between postings

Bandage Shears with a Blunt Tip

Other Resources:
Video Tutorial: https://youtu.be/LUuY0edf81w
Join the Facebook group: Doberman Ear Taping Methods “The Original”


Breathe Right Strips:

Used at the very end when the ears are up but the tips are curling in or out and need straightening but no longer require full posts (typically around 8 months of age). 

Materials:
Breathe Right Strips Extra Strength
Torbot Skin Bonding cement

Method:
With dry, clean ears, paint the glue on the sticky side of the breathe right strip. Allow it a minute or two to start setting up and get "tacky," (if you put it on the ear immediately it will be too wet and slick). Press the strip onto the inside of the ear at the tip, in a vertical position, in a way that braces the tip straight up. Keep your fingers pressing it onto the ear until it is secure. Keep an eye on your doberman the first few min so they don't wipe or shake it off until it is set in place. Let them stay on as long as they will stick, could be a couple days or could last a week or more. Depends how rough your dog is on their ears.