I promised that if Nola’s ears were not up by this weekend, I would tape them. So sad for little Nola. She apparently was too busy doing other things to bother getting those ears up. Everyone has a different method so I thought I’d share how I do it to add to your collection.
Step 1: Assemble the supplies. A sharp scissors, moleskin with padding, foam hair rollers, duct tape (in an attractive color, please), and skin adhesive. This is Stomahesive. It is used to attach medical devices (like catheters) to the skin. It can be removed gently with acetone (nail polish remover) and cotton balls.
Cut out the inside ear shape — do not go down into the ear canal and leave no points — round each turn. Then use the skin adhesive to attach the rollers (note plastic clips are gone) to the center of the moleskin. Also cut several strips of duct tape that are short enough to handle without them sticking to themselves — about a foot long is the max.
Turn the moleskin over and remove the backing. The adhesive that is on the moleskin will NOT hold it to the ear. So, add some of the handy skin adhesive around the edges and down the middle.
Carefully place the bottom center of the moleskin shape at the lower center of the ear, then gently press up the center and around the edges until you have lined the inside of the ear. Hmmm — she doesn’t look all that happy, does she?
This is really a two-person job. Since I did it alone, I could not stop and take photos as I added each strip of tape. Begin on the inside bottom of one ear and bring the tape around the back of that ear across to the bottom of the second ear. With the second piece of tape, start at the inside bottom of the second ear and bring the tape across that ear and across the front of the first ear. Place the third strip of tape higher on the inside of the first ear and bring the tape around that ear and across the back to the second ear. Repeat, moving up for each strip. It should take three rounds of tape to cover the ear. Try not to pull the ears together on top of the puppy’s head — that’s not the proper earset for a Cardi. If that happens, however, simply cut down the center between the ears and retape leaving a bit more distance between the ears.
I think treats and praise are essential to accomplish this task without the puppy learning to hate me.
So, wouldn’t you agree that turquoise is Nola’s color?
We were lucky enough to miss out on the ear-taping last time around…Rufus had one that flopped up and down for a while and finally came up on its own.
So for a newbie like me, how long do you leave the ears taped before you recheck them?
I had to read the part about treats and praise a few times…I thought you were talking about yourself and I was totally nodding, “Yes, Penni deserves a good piece of chocolate and a martini after that!” 😉
Good girl, Nola! Your pretty turquoise crown just makes you look more beautiful!
I don’t leave the tape in for more than a week. I take it off, clean the ears to get rid of the adhesive, then give the puppy a few days without support to see how we did. Often that one week is all it takes to get the ears up, and the puppy in the habit of having prick ears. If, however, the ears flop, I do it again. If the ear is really close to up and seems just a little floppy when the puppy runs, I use the Breathe Right strips to give a tiny support.
Turquoise is lovely, but my favorite color for the red girls is a royal blue. In fact, around here, we just call that “Scout Blue.”
Well, Nola is a Southwestern red girl so turquoise is definitely appropriate. If Kissy’s ears need to be taped, I promise to use royal blue.
OMG! That pic of Nola with the rollers in her ears is just too funny! Such big eyes, too! I got laughing so hard, I almost snorted pepsi out my nose. Thanks for a great laugh. Sorry Nola, you’ll appreciate it later when you have beautiful upright ears. 🙂
Where did you find the skin adhesive? I can’t seem to find it anywhere.
I was going to do a whole post on my Joe’s Pharmacy in the Village. Beside lots of little gifty things, are dog and horse wormer, etc. Actually, the skin adhesive is kept behind the pharmacy counter. There are several brands of skin adhesive. I got a tube of “ConvaTec Stomahesive” — it costs about $12 and should last through many ear tapings. The adhesive is used to attach a catheter or colostomy bag to a human’s skin. You can buy it on line as well or at a medical supply house. Johnson & Johnson makes one — there are several different brands. Walgreens will order one for you, too, but you need to bring them the list of brands in which you might be interested. . . . or come on down to Peralta NM and visit Joe’s Pharmacy.
Hum… something to do on Sunday. Thanks for the step by step! We’ll get those ears!
Awww, poor Nola-the-abused! She’s too too cute 🙂 Can’t wait to see her with full uppy ears 🙂
She looks like an alien corgi with blue antennae. Nola says: Take me to youe leader!!!
See you CAN do anyting with duct tape. It’s the 1st time I’ve seen non-silver DT
Oops 2 typos in 1 comment…