My 9 week old Shetlie pup's right ear has pricked (the one that's tattooed). He is first and foremost a pet but some people and his breeder say he has great show potential. Because of this I'd like to get his ear down to grow tipped. How do I do this successfully? I saw on an american site a special tape for this but even if I could get a hold of some, I'm still clueless to how to use it. Can I get that tape here and if not, what do I do? I want to show him when he's a bit older and I dont want his ears showing him up (excuse the pun :D).

Aww anyone???

A friend of mine who has pugs had a similiar problem and he basically put some sticky plaster on it to hold it down.  He basically folded it over then taped it in position I think it is quite a common thing to do but mine have all got big floppy ears so not sure how effective it is.  :)

I met someone with a Sheltie pup who super glued them into position, just on the fur, not the skin. Then as the fur grows out the glue comes off but the ears stay put. I was quite horrified at first but thinking back to it, the dog didn't care and wasn't at all bothered so I don't know why I was so shocked really. :rolleyes:

Years and years ago (so probably not done now) my mum was told her sheltie had show potential but his ears were up and she was told she would have to put lead in his ears - not sure exactly how that was supposed 2 be done whether a small piece was taped to the ear or inserted in a more painful way!

We are lucky, not that we want to show Leo as hes huge for a sheltie but his ears are naturally the way they are supposed to be

My shelties are also pets but I do enjoy companion shows.  The breeder of one of my dogs told me to use plumbers mate from a DIY store.  I tried this and it probably would have worked but my others just held the pup down and nibbled his ears (must have tasted good).  I also tried sticking plaster, cut into a triangle, inside the ears but had the same result unfortunately.  In the end I decided it wasn't worth the bother as I could see a trip to the vet looming after all the plumbers mate and plasters the older ones managed to eat.  So now two have their ears pricked while the other has naturally dropped ears.  

Luckily haven't had this problem with my dogs for years, but on a friend's who were 'glued' when they were only a little temperamental it seemed to have totally the opposite effect and they weren't able to get them down again, so I'd be cautious of that.

On my very first Collie I used a LITTLE Kaolin, 'dried off' with a talc covering and that seemed to work well, but be sparing as it is often thought that too much weight will make the ear muscle fight against it and exacerbate the problem.  Remember that it is only the top third of the ear that should be tipped.

HTH,

M.

Surely dogs should be shown how they come and how nature intended?? I dont think you should mess about with them, if you have a fault you have a fault and its either show with the fault or dont show at all, thats my opinion.