This morning Nola and I took the tape off her ears. Holmes wanted to help — so much that he had to be crated. For those who taped the way I did, here’s how I remove the tape and moleskin.
Removing the tape and moleskin requires treats. (Thanks to Tracy at Four Paws Barkery, I have lots of Liver Lips which definitely sooth the savage beast.) I cut up the center of the princess crown between the ears. I find an edge of the top piece of tape and begin to work it loose. I gently peel it away from the tape layer below it. After a week (which is how long it’s been), the sticky part of the tape has dried a bit, and it can be slowly peeled away from the ear. I work the layers off one at a time. Sometimes I make another cut or two up the tape from the bottom being really, really careful not to crop my puppy’s ears. When the tape is off and I’m down to the hair roller and moleskin, I hold my thumb against the moleskin and my forefinger against the back of the ear to pull off the roller. I find the moleskin has begun to loosen around the edges, so I gently work it off the inside of the ear. If any spots are still thoroughly stuck, I wet a cotton ball with nail polish remover and wipe along the stuck side of the moleskin and the ear until it it loosens. I work my way up the ear until I can remove the moleskin.
There will still be some adhesive residue which comes off easily with the nail polish remover.
I put the puppy down, let her shake her head and cavort around — then I offer her a Liver Lip.
I think they are — now will they stay?
Let’s see how her ears are by tomorrow morning. If they need to be re-taped, we’ll do that. If they are up, but a little floppy, I’ll put a Breathe Rite strip on the outside back of the floppy ear(s). I think our little Nola looks a lot like a Cardigan Welsh Corgi this morning — though I do sort of miss that beautiful turquoise princess crown.
BTW the liver lips samples at Portland were a great hit with the dogs. They might be a little hard and crunchy for the conformation ring, but should be great general treats.
Stay up! Stay up! Stay up!
Don’t want Nola to have to go through round after round of taping like Rip.
BTW – I like your step by step taping & un-taping posts. Where were they in August 😉
Great directions Penni! We did Smooch and Udi this afternoon. *fingers crossed for ears*
We love Liver Lips here too. They’re a great training treat. No more messy treats in your pocket. Dogs love them!
She looks so cute with her ears up. What a sweetie pie