Probably a Dumb Question

[Danirenae]

Like the title, this is probably a dumb question, but I thought I would ask.

I want my Bella's ears to stand up. I know that you can tape them, but I dont feel right doing that. For some reason I feel like it will hurt. JMO

So I thought that since she is only 10 weeks.....maybe I can just shave the tips of her ears? I have heard that it works for several people.

If I do this, what is the best way? and will the hair grow back?? (dumb question) I think it will, but I read some people say they regretted shaving the ear. not sure if that meant it wont grow back.

If anyone has any other opinions, I would appreciate it. Im not super concerned about the ears standing up, it would just be nice if they did.

thanks in advance!

[manolos mom]

Not a dumb question at all. Why dont you try shaving the tips, inside of the ear and outside as well. You can also try cutting a piece of construction paper, (no colors) into a small triangle the size of her tips and use a little NEW SKIN and place it on the construction paper and place it on the inside tips of the ears without getting hair on it. Keep that on her for about a week then change it out. Might take a couple of weeks. To remove the New Skin you want to apply baby oil or mineral oil to the New-Skin Liquid Bandage using a cotton ball. Wait one minute, and then wash the entire area with soap and water. The oil will loosen the bond between your skin and the construction paper...

[MamaZiggy]

not a dumb question doll I shave, or rather cut, Ziggy's ears. The hair does grow back, so i cut them down about every two weeks or so.. it works like a treat, about 24-48hrs after shaving the ears prick up beautifully.. I cut because ziggy is scared of the shaver (it makes a crazy sound) so i do it after bathing him, when he's really complicent. i carefully cut down the top third or two thirds of his hair, but i take care to leave the fringe hair on..i just like that look better!

Good luck!!

[angieNchloe]

As you can see in my avatar, my Chloe's ears didnt stand when I got her. I had her ears shaved, and one ear immediately the next day stood. I then went to youtube and watched videos on taping the ears. All I did was cut some card board and wrapped it in cloth medical tape so it wouldn't be scratchy and put inside the ear at the top where the V is.....I then took non stick medical tape and wrapped around the ear...I left this for one day and took off.....the videos say a week, but Chloe would never allow that! LOL

After one day, the ear stood up and now they always stand up perfectly. If you use the right stuff, this is not an inhumane thing to do.

I love all yorkie's whether their ears are up or not, but it was just my preference to have them up, but I have seen many with their ears down that you want to just grab up and hug and kiss because of the cuteness factor, it's all up to the owner!

Good luck!

[Danirenae]

Thanks guys! I just cut the hair on the tips of her ears. So far nothing.

Do I need to do just the tip? or pretty much the whole ear?

and do I cut it super short or just some of it.

She is a real trooper and just sat there letting me do it!

[gracielove]

If just doing the tips does not help I would trim down to where her ears fold down. It sounds like you might need to try the construction paper suggested above to help prop them up for a while.

[Teresa Ford]

I love this forum, because we can ask questions. You have gotten excellent advice already. I don't think it is mean to train their ears. I do think it is awful to dock their tails, I know that hurts. I wish AKC would let us show them with a beautiful full tail. Anyway that is another post all together.
I shaved Ginny's ears front and back past the fold. I used a paper plate to make a V shaped paper ear. I put that on the inside of the ear and used false eyelash glue to stick the pattern to the ear. It did not work all that well. Another Video said to use ordinary scotch tape, I tried that and it worked fine. I did it for 6 days. Ginny's ears stood up perfectly. I changed the tape every day, although the video said every other day. Another friend used the plastic breath right strip, cut in half and simply put it on the inside of her dogs shave ear. That worked too, she did it for 3 days. Check out the threads about ear taping. There are several methods and videos, I am sure one will work for you.
I do think floppy ears are cute too. My first Yorkie had floppy ears and I thought he was perfect all 9 pounds of him.

[MamaZiggy]

yep i agree, try cutting further down the ear, and cut the hair as short as you can, give it a day, they will prick im sure

[angieNchloe]

Mine was cut where that muscle starts...about half inch from the bottom, all the way up to the tip on both outside and inside..then took scissors and trimmed the edges. The leather of the ear was shaved with electric trimmers.

[Danirenae]

so I am going to try the taping idea. I looked online and saw the options of masking tape, cloth medical tape, and scotch tape. Which one is better to use?

I have already tried shaving her ears and still will, but I want to try the taping also.

[Rachael1983]

When I shave the tips of Troy's ears it certainly helped with them standing up. The more hair he has there, those ears flop.

[jmdt]

you could try this:

[Danirenae]

Originally Posted by jmdt

you could try this:

oh goodness! That made my day! lol

[jmdt]

Sorry I just had to put this picture of my little Wally in. hehe

If I shave my Pebbles ears half way down then they both stand up but if I dont only one stands up and the other one just flops over. I think its cute either way.

Wally's ears now stand up all by themselves.

[Danirenae]

so I have great news! I woke up this morning to find one of Bella's ears standing up!!!!