You're not a failure - I just did your avatar and while looking at his pics I honestly don't think his ears will stand - lots of people have yorkies who's ears don't stand and it's cute...
but shaving them WILL help take the weight off so if you want to keep taping that will help alot....
Shaving is really easy - all you need is a trimmer that looks just like this - 10 bucks at Walgreens - you don't need all the attachments - they were just in the pic I snagged