Until how many months can a toy terrier have ears?

Smooth, beautiful and well-set ears on a dog are a sign of a true breed. In some purebred individuals, the ears rise without problems already in puppyhood, while in others they remain drooping. The owners of such pets are trying to find a solution, but only a few know how to fix the dog’s ears.

Only a few know how to put on a dog's ears

Why do you need to put on dog ears?

Straightened ears are, first of all, a confirmation of the dog’s elite status. Dogs with long ears that stick out upward look more masculine and impressive. But this procedure is carried out not only for aesthetic reasons: dogs with erect ears are less likely to develop hearing diseases.

Some owners do not pay much attention to the ears, perceiving the puppy as he is. After all, the standards of some breeds imply both a straightened and saggy position.

If the lop ear is not the result of damage and is not a congenital mutation, the owner himself can correct it. But before studying the process itself, it is necessary to get acquainted with the breeds whose representatives’ ears are designed to stick up.

Important! It is especially important to have erect ears for those four-legged pets that are being prepared to participate in exhibitions. However, the decision about whether a pet needs ears installed always depends only on the desire of the owner.

Dog with erect ears

How to put on the ears of a toy terrier: gluing

Gluing the ears of a toy is performed either from puppyhood - to speed up the process and guarantee a result, or in situations where the toy terrier does not have ears.

How is the gluing process carried out?

• Stock up on adhesive tape no more than 2 cm wide. You will need cotton swabs, which will become “tires”.
• Cut 2 pieces from the patch. Their length is easy to calculate: from the fold of the ear, the patch should be lowered by about a centimeter, and from the tip of the ear - by about half a centimeter. That is, we will glue in the central area of ​​the dog’s ear.
• Now you can glue the cut patches.
• Again, cut off, but slightly smaller, pieces of the plaster. We will stick “tires” to them - cotton swabs.
• Now we glue the patches with “tires” to the pieces already attached to the terrier’s ears. Ready!

Dog breeds with erect ears

Dogs with erect ears are stately and beautiful dogs with an impressive appearance. But there are also very small, but no less courageous representatives on the list. Pointed ears sticking up have:

• Doberman;
• huskies and huskies;
• boxer;
• Australian Cattle Dogs;
• Shepherd dogs: Belgian and German;
• terriers: Scottish, Yorkshire, toy terrier;
• Spitz;
• miniature pinscher.

Nowadays, a dog of absolutely any breed may need to have their ears glued. Owners of Chihuahuas, pugs, and Yorkshire terriers often resort to this procedure. It is especially common to have to glue the ears of Boxers, Great Danes, Doberman Pinschers and Giant Schnauzers, since representatives of large breeds have ear problems much more often.

Doberman with correctly set ears

Important! Before installing ears on a pet, it is recommended that the owner consult with a breeder or specialist who has already gained experience in this area. He will help you choose the shape of the ear that will suit your pet and help with the first gluing.

At what age should ears go up?

In representatives of those breeds that have erect ears, the process of raising should begin from 2 months to 5 months of age. The exact age depends on the specific breed of dog. For example:

• Yorkshire Terrier: ear rises at 2 months;
• German Shepherd: at 4-5 months;
• larger breeds: 5-6 months.

If the pet’s ears do not rise within the specified period, the owner has to raise them himself using simple manipulations. But if a large dog’s ears are already lying in soft rags at 3 months and don’t even plan to rise, measures need to be taken already at this age.

Yorkshire terrier puppy

It is worth clarifying that in representatives of certain breeds the ears acquire a straight position quite late - at 6-8 months. You should consult your doctor to determine if your pet has difficulty raising its ears.

Important! Even if the ears have already begun to stand up, the process can slow down at any moment. Therefore, the owner must carefully monitor the pet’s ears. In some cases the process continues after a couple of weeks, but in some situations the ear may fall and not rise again.

German Shepherd puppy with drooping ears

What are the reasons why a dog's ears don't go up?

At a certain age, a toy terrier's ears stand up, but there are several options why they may not rise. For example:

1. Heredity. If the parents' ears were not fully set, or not set at all, then this sign may also be observed in the puppy.
2. The pet's mother had health problems. It is possible that the puppy received little nutrition due to insufficient milk content. And since the baby needs special feeding, this affected his body (lack of nutrients). If the mother received poor nutrition from the owners, this is also one of the factors why the ears do not stand up.
3. The breeder provided the small toy terrier with an unbalanced diet - a lack of useful nutrients could affect the maturation of the body and musculoskeletal structure.
4. The Toy Terrier is not a purebred - this means that it came from mating with a short-haired or long-haired terrier. Heredity is an important factor when breeding dogs. Breeders must know all the nuances, secrets and features of breeding.
5. Lack of calcium in the body. This element is found in the body of all living beings. Its highest content is in teeth and bones - 99%, and 1% extends to muscles, organs, tissues, the central nervous system, cartilage, joints, etc. With its deficiency, the body’s functioning is disrupted - bones become less stable, pliable and quickly are destroyed. The same goes for teeth – they crumble. Thus, when a toy terrier's ears stand up, a sufficient amount of calcium must enter his body. If your dog begins to have health problems, you should immediately contact a veterinarian for help.
6. Trauma during birth or later. Some births in dogs may be unsuccessful, with certain glitches. You should be prepared for the process and know at the right time how to help the dog if necessary.
7. Stressful situations. In dogs, the nervous system is very sensitive to external factors. Any mental trauma can affect the health and development of the puppy. The death of the dog's mother or one of the family members, beatings, cruel treatment, etc. - all this can leave a significant imprint on the life of a toy terrier.

Why do my puppy's ears fall off?

Every puppy at birth has small ears pressed against its head. The dog grows, develops, and the structure of the ears changes along with it. The cartilage in them becomes stronger, the auricles become larger, and the ears gradually straighten.

The size and shape of this part of the body cannot be changed: they will depend on heredity. But the strut can still be corrected if it is not caused by serious deformation. Otherwise, only a surgeon can help.

Puppies of different dog breeds

The ears may rise very slowly or remain drooping. In some cases, already raised ears may fall or stop rising for a while. The reasons may be:

• Deficiency of microelements and vitamins in the pet’s body. The main element that should be present in the diet of a growing dog is calcium. It is the basis for the construction of elastic and strong cartilage. If there is not enough calcium, all the microelement entering the body is spent on the formation of bone and dental tissue. It enters the cartilage last.
• Replacement of baby teeth. All reserves of the dog’s body during this period are aimed at the formation of strong molars. A smart body uses vitamins to create more important structure. Therefore, the cartilage in the ears simply does not have enough nutrition.
• Vaccination. If your pet has recently been vaccinated, the process of raising the puppy's ears may be delayed. This is due to the fact that injections are very stressful for a dog’s body. Do not worry: after the pet recovers from the procedures experienced, the process of raising the ears will resume.

Puppy vaccination

• Voluminous and fleshy ears. Even the strongest cartilage cannot lift ears that are too heavy and voluminous. Therefore, the owner’s gorgeous ears will need help.
• Purity of the breed. A purebred puppy should only be purchased from a trusted breeder. An unreliable seller can sell a mixed breed with deviations at the price of a purebred animal. And it is possible to straighten the ear cartilages of a puppy who was born from a mating between a purebred mother and a lop-eared dog in isolated cases.

In older dogs, the cartilage may sag due to injury that damages the cartilage. A dog may pinch or severely injure its ear during a fight with another dog. In this situation, you should contact a veterinarian. The further prognosis and ways to eliminate the problem depend on how seriously the ear was damaged.

Important! If a growing puppy’s ears still do not rise, then they need to be corrected as soon as possible. Otherwise, in an adult dog, the situation can only be corrected through surgery.

Puppy with soft ears curled to the sides

Why don't that terrier have ears?

So we get to the most interesting question - why that terrier doesn’t have ears. And is this a problem or not? The cartilage in the ear itself is fragile. We already understood this. In order to understand how the formation and development of the base of the erect ear will occur, let’s return to the birth of the puppy.

Initially from the mother, the puppy inherits appearance and health. If the mother had health problems, then where will the heroic spirit come from in a small body? After the birth of the baby, responsibility for its life activities falls on the breeder. He takes care of the adequate nutrition of the lactating bitch and, accordingly, the growing toy puppy.

Mating of long-haired and short-haired representatives of the breed has become widespread. And since in long-haired toys even the standard allows for non-standing “locators”, the smooth-haired child can only achieve “ears on top” if the breeder correctly selects the parents. A shaggy mother and a smooth father (or, conversely), puppies will not have problems with ear support if the nursery pays attention to the quality and strength of the cartilage in the hearing organs during selection.

If the parent’s hearing organs are not heavily covered with hair, or the fringe on the ears does not burden the hearing organ itself, then everything will be fine for the babies. Although, as you understand, this is a guessing game. Therefore, puppies that are planned to be taken to shows in the future should not be taken from a breeding of miniature terriers with varying degrees of hairiness.

Okay, you got a puppy from parents with short hair and no ears. You are not alone. Such cases indicate only one thing: that your little terrier has weak cartilage in the ear. There is only one reason for this, besides heredity - the dog suffers from a deficiency of calcium, vitamins and minerals. A terrier whose ears do not stand up needs to take a course of vitamin supplements consisting of glucosamine, collagen, and chondroitin. If, according to the doctor's indications, the dog cannot take vitamins (so as not to upset his stomach), then calcium glycerophosphate is prescribed.

During this period, the toy terrier’s diet must include nutrients with vitamin and mineral supplements. If you feed with ready-made supplements, then it’s all there. If your dog eats homemade food, then include calcined cottage cheese in your pet’s menu.

You can make homemade cottage cheese for your toy yourself. To do this, bring half a liter of fresh milk to a boil, add one tablespoon of calcium chloride to it, and then discard the resulting clots in a colander. It's simple!

If you don’t want to cook or don’t have time, then ask your veterinarian to recommend medications with easily digestible calcium. With food or in ready-made form, calcium will become a catalyst for the necessary metabolic processes in the dog’s body, which are necessary for the rigidity of cartilage.

What to do if your dog's ears don't stand up?

Before taking your dog to the vet or trying to fix the ears with glue, you can try to solve the problem in other ways. These methods, along with descriptions of situations where they may be appropriate, are presented in the table below.

Table 1. Ways to straighten your pet's ears without gluing.

In the early stages of a puppy's development, all these methods can give good results.

The owner massages his dog's ear

Ear taping or what to do if massage doesn’t help

An owner who has already performed a massage and given his pet special vitamins, but has not achieved the desired result, should not agree to the operation without caution. You can try to refit your ears at home if the cartilage fold is not a serious birth defect or a consequence of injury. The procedure is quite simple and goes like this:

1. Take a wide adhesive plaster (2-3 cm) and a few matches, non-sharp toothpicks or bath sticks.
2. A frame is made from matches in the form of a small fan, which will support the cartilage of the auricle in a standing position. This frame is attached to the ears from the inside.
3. The frame is fixed to the ears using adhesive tape. At first, the puppy will try to remove the structure that is new to him, so you need to distract him with food or games. Later the pet will get used to it.

Jellied recipe for dogs during ear setting

The longer the dog stays in such a frame, the faster the ears will rise. Small holes are made in the adhesive plaster to allow the skin to breathe. You should check your ears daily for redness or inflammation. If even slight irritation is noticed, the structure must be removed. If there are none, it is necessary to keep the frame as long as possible.

However, it is worth remembering that you cannot keep it for more than 6 days, even if everything is fine with the skin. After this time, the old patch is removed, after which the dog should be allowed to rest from it for about 12 hours. Then the adhesive tape is applied again.

Important! The effect will be most obvious if the pet starts walking in a frame from puppyhood: immediately after the owner sees that the ears do not rise. A similar device can correct the position of the ears in an adult dog, but the procedure will not be as effective.

Puppy with a frame on his head

Is it safe to glue dog ears?

If the gluing procedure was carried out correctly, it will not cause any harm to the pet. A dog owner who does not yet have any experience with ear gluing is recommended to entrust the first gluing to a breeder or veterinarian. This “operation” is carried out many times, so the owner still has time to learn how to do it on his own.

It is recommended to entrust the first gluing to the breeder or veterinarian

However, there may be side effects, among the most common it should be noted:

• an ear covered with a plaster, in which blood circulation is disrupted;
• allergy to the adhesive coating of the adhesive plaster;
• fixation of the ear in a position that does not correspond to the breed standard;
• the development of bacteria and the appearance of irritation in the ear;
• discomfort and pain when removing the adhesive patch.

Important! For the first few days, you need to monitor your puppy's reaction to the adhesive bandage. An owner who spends enough time with the puppy every day will immediately notice the puppy’s anxiety, itching in the ears, redness or an unpleasant odor. All this may signal that inflammation is developing under the structure and the patch needs to be removed urgently.

Dobermans from the same litter with glued ears

How to install?

You can fix your pet's ears not only with the help of a special corrective procedure - you can start by finding out whether the puppy is experiencing stress. To do this, you can watch the animal. Owners with experience in keeping the breed list the following reasons:

• high physical activity associated with training;
• renovation or moving to a new home;
• visiting a veterinary clinic;
• the appearance of another animal or newborn in the family.

If such moments cannot be excluded from life, you should resort to sedatives that can calm the dog (“Stop-stress”, “Adaptil”, “Fospasim”, “Fitex”).

It would be correct to pay attention to dietary nutrition. It’s one thing if you use ready-made food with a balanced composition in the recommended dosage, for example, Purina Pro Plan, Nutra Nuggets, Nutra Gold, Belcando or Advance . But when an animal eats natural food, it may lack some minerals and vitamins, which means that they should be introduced into the diet.

And finally, at home you can carry out the necessary correction of your ears, allowing them to stand up confidently after some time. Ear gluing can be done independently. This is a safe procedure when the ears do not rise at all, or rise and then fall again.

To complete this job you will need the following tools:

• antiseptic;
• scissors;
• small pieces of plastic as a frame;
• for fixation - a hypoallergenic patch to prevent skin problems.

Then you should take the following steps:

• cut 2 pieces of plaster slightly smaller than the inside of the animal’s ear;
• prepare plastic tires and cover them with adhesive tape on both sides;
• treat the animal’s ears with a disinfectant and dry.

The gluing is done using two strips of adhesive, the optimal width of the pieces is 7-10 cm. It is important to start “gluing” from the inside of the ear shell, from its corner, and then continue gluing along its circumference. You should act fairly quickly so that the animal does not experience discomfort. Do not allow the patch to rub the skin of the ear - this can cause irritation. It is also necessary to leave the ear canal open.

It is allowed to keep the frame on the ears for no more than 2 weeks , but the veterinarian may recommend extending the course to 30 days.

Correction is necessary to strengthen the cartilage tissue, but it should not create discomfort for the dog.

To avoid unpleasant complications, you must:

• avoid distressing the animal;
• to improve the condition of cartilage and the growth of their tissues, introduce dishes using gelatin into the menu - this can be food based on broth or milk.

To stimulate ear growth and elevation, massage can be used to improve blood supply to the organ, but it must be done delicately and at time intervals.

To activate the processes of strengthening cartilage, it is allowed to use products containing glucosamine and chondroitin sulfates, which enhance growth and improve the quality of cartilage. Special preparations that have a chondroprotective effect include Hekalan, as well as Fitohonldrovit, Artrofit and Kinosil.

Sometimes radical intervention is necessary. An extreme measure is ear plastic surgery, in which the doctor tightens the skin and the ear stands without assistance.

It is understandable when such an operation is ordered by breeders who are trying to hide pedigree errors from the buyer of the puppy. In the event that the prestige of the dog is involved, the owner will have to fully accept the consequences, including lethal ones, on his own conscience. The operation is performed using general anesthesia, and if the animal has a weak heart, liver or kidneys, it may die.

How do you know if your dog's ear needs to be taped?

So, the owner noticed that the puppy’s ears do not straighten out well, they fall inward towards the top of the head or stick out to the sides, and dangle when walking. Now we need to find out whether the ear can rise on its own or whether gluing is required.

Step 1. Determine if there are any creases

It is necessary to carefully examine your pet's ear. If it collapses at the very base, it definitely needs support. Such an ear will definitely not rise without the help of the owner. It must be completely straightened and glued directly at the base in such a way as to completely prevent it from collapsing. The ear should be vertical.

A standard knob looks like a horizontal section with a very thin layer of cartilage. The ear cannot hold up normally and breaks in this thin place, falling forward. This situation can be prevented by feeding the animal calcium from an early age. But if a crease has already formed or is just emerging, it is necessary to glue the ear.

Dog with a crease in the ear

Step 2. Looking for scars and weak spots

If there are no creases, but the ear still falls down, it is necessary to examine it for scars and weak spots. Such areas inhibit development and prevent the healthy ear from rising. The inspection algorithm will be as follows:

1. Squeeze the ear at the base with your thumb and forefinger. Start feeling it from bottom to top with your fingertips.
2. Find the weak point that prevents lifting. It could be a small speck or a strip of thin fabric. To make sure this is the right place, pinch the spot between your fingers. The ear will rise and straighten as you hold it in this problem area.
3. The spot located in the upper part of the cartilage does not require gluing. It is enough to start giving your pet vitamins to restore cartilage tissue. The ear will straighten and become stronger without outside help.
4. If the weak area of ​​​​the tissue is located in the middle of the ear or at its base, gluing is necessary.

If the owner has not found any weak points, but the ear is soft in itself and collapses completely, gluing will not solve the problem. It is necessary to first carry out a course of restorative treatment with vitamins and calcined products. When the cartilage becomes strong and complete, you can start gluing it if it does not rise on its own by that time.

Puppy with house ears

We put ears on different breeds of dogs

The basic principles of gluing are the same for all individuals, but there are also some nuances. Let's look at the most popular breeds.

Chinese Crested

The Chinese Crested is a dog with long and fluffy hair that even grows on the ears. Before gluing the ears of a representative of the breed, it is necessary to cut off all the hair from the ears. This will solve two problems at once:

• create closer contact between the patch and the pet’s skin;
• minimize discomfort when removing the adhesive tape because it will not pull out hair.

Chinese Crested Dog

A dog with bare ears will not be as adorable as before, but the owner should not worry. Once the ears are set, the fur will grow back.

Gluing the ears of a miniature dog

Yorkshire Terrier

To glue the ears of a Yorkshire Toyerier, simple textile glue is suitable, since the ears of representatives of the breed are quite light. The only rule is that the glue needs to be trimmed regularly and the pet’s ears must be given a day of rest. Then you can apply the composition again.

Important! The ears of Yorkshire terriers must be freed of hair before gluing, just like the ears of a Chinese Crested.

Yorkshire Terrier

German Shepherd

The “Germans” have ears that are usually quite strong and stand up on their own. However, for the proper development of cartilage, they also need to be fed with calcined foods and supplements, and massaged regularly.

Two German Shepherds on a walk. One has straight ears, the other has droopy ears.

Doberman

Doberman owners have a difficult job ahead of them. Owners who have already fitted ears for representatives of this breed know how important erect ears are for these dogs.

Dobermans have their ears installed one day after docking. The wound that remains after surgery tightens the ear, thereby deforming it. The ear begins to fall and will not get back up on its own. Strong Dobermans are best suited for “crowns” made of wire, which are attached to the ears.

Algorithm for gluing Doberman ears using a special metal frame

Important! The Doberman is an active and playful dog, so you need to make sure that he does not rip the structure off his head.

Toy Terrier

According to the breed standard, the Russian Toy Terrier must also proudly display erect ears on its head. Most representatives of the breed have very small ears, so it is recommended to use broken matches for the frame. Make sure their ends are not sharp.

The most suitable algorithm for gluing the ears of a toy terrier looks like this:

• cut the adhesive plaster according to the shape of the ear;
• stick it on the inside of the ear, and then attach a splint of matches to it;
• Apply another layer of adhesive tape on top.

Important! It is permissible to completely remove the frame only after all of the toy terrier’s milk teeth have been replaced by molars.

Toy Terrier. Bonding

When do terriers' ears stand up?

At birth, nature rewards the toy terrier with drooping ears, since the ear cartilages are very soft and delicate. But then, the ears rise. Moreover, there is no specific period when a terrier’s ears stand up. At what age a terrier's ears stand up depends on many factors. The first factor and, perhaps, the main one is the individuality of each representative of the miniature breed. Thin, soft cartilages are a kind of frame for the hearing organ. In the future, the stronger and stronger the cartilage, the more stable the ear.

Many puppies can boast of a stable ear at the age of two to three months; it is not uncommon to have a stronger ear even after four to five months. The only thing that veterinarians and dog breeders agree on is that the ear should become stronger and stronger no later than six months.

That is, before the onset of six months, the natural process of formation of ear cartilage occurs. And you, as the owners, are required to constantly monitor the progress of this process.

How to install undocked ears on small dogs: detailed instructions

Problematic uncropped ears in representatives of all small or decorative breeds are diagnosed by analogy. Let's study the procedure in detail using the example of the Chinese Crested. You can begin setting up the ears of a representative of this breed as early as one month of age.

Table 2. Algorithm for setting ears for miniature dog breeds.

With such a design on the head, the pet will have to walk for about 5 days. After this, the patch must be cut and carefully unscrewed, freeing or cutting off the stuck hairs. Sometimes the ears stand up after the first procedure. If the desired result is not obtained, after a day's rest the procedure must be repeated from the first step. You can carry out the procedure until the ears are completely straightened.

The process of gluing the ears of a Yorkshire terrier

Important! The Chinese Crested breed has two varieties - fluffy and hairless. The ear straightening algorithm is suitable for each variety. The breed standard states that the Hairless Crested must have ears extended upward, and for the downy breed any arrangement is possible. However, breeders are confident that the downy Chinese Crested with erect ears looks much prettier.

The most gentle method

The most acceptable and traditional way of setting up the ears is considered to be gluing.

For this procedure to be successful, you must strictly follow all the rules of this procedure and not deviate from them. If you make a mistake, it can only harm your pet's ears, and you will have to spend money on surgical correction.

Rules for how to raise a puppy's ears by gluing:

1. You will need to stock up on adhesive tape 2 cm wide, scissors and a splint - its role can be played by a cotton swab or a long strip cut from some kind of plastic;
2. Cut two pieces from the adhesive plaster. Their dimensions should be half a centimeter less than the tip of the ear and one centimeter below the fold line;
3. Place adhesive tape on the inside of your ear or both ears. It is important to arrange the pieces correctly;
4. Cut two more pieces from the adhesive plaster, but smaller than the previous ones;
5. Take the tire, which must be shorter than the second parts cut from the adhesive plaster, and glue it on them;
6. Stick the second pieces with the splint onto the patch that is already glued to your toy terrier's ear;
7. The gluing does not last for several days; weeks may pass before this structure can be removed. The main thing is to carry out the procedure regularly as the patch peels off. Replace it and the tire with new ones from time to time;
8. After a few days, start massaging your pet's ears. This should be done every day for 5-10 minutes.

How to place cropped ears: detailed instructions

Cropped ears that stand beautifully and correctly are considered a real work of art. They should not gather on the head in the form of a “house” or fall on both sides of the head. Ears after cropping can begin to be set only when the cut edge is completely healed.

Option 1 - soft design

The most problematic part of the procedure is the straightening of the cartilage located at the very base of the ear. We will study the algorithm that will be correct when straightening cropped ears using the example of a representative of the Miniature Schnauzer breed.

Table 3. Algorithm for setting the ears of a dog of the Miniature Schnauzer breed.

The pet will have to wear the resulting “horns” on its head for 5-6 days. Then the patch is carefully removed. If you were unable to place the ears the first time, they need to be re-wrapped after 1-2 days. Repeat the procedure until the Miniature Schnauzer's ears stand upright.

Miniature Schnauzer puppy

Option 2 - rigid structure

Another way to straighten cropped ears in large breed dogs is to make a rigid frame. These two types pursue the same goals, are similar in execution algorithm, but differ in the necessary materials.

You can build a solid structure with your own hands. For this you will need:

• foam curlers that will support the ear from the inside;
• a wooden stick to avoid getting your hands dirty when applying glue;
• popsicle sticks to guide and hold the ear;
• medical glue for fixing curlers;
• pharmaceutical fabric adhesive plaster for final treatment.

Instead of fabric adhesive tape in this case, construction tape or masking tape will do. It is important to ensure that the glue does not get into the ear hole. The ears, as in the previously discussed cases, must be shaved and degreased with alcohol.

German Shepherd in a tight frame

How to raise your ears yourself

So, what should you do if your toy’s ears are “in no hurry” to stand up, or the ear that stood up has fallen off again? Starting from 2 months, many owners begin to glue them. To do this, you will need a light and thin tire slightly less than the length of the shell. Make it out of durable plastic or use cotton swabs. You need to glue the tire with a medical plaster that allows air to pass through well, but in no case with electrical tape or adhesive tape.

For each ear, cut out 2 pieces from the patch. It is desirable that they follow the internal shape of the shell from tip to curl, slightly short of the ear hole. We apply a tire to the sticky side of one of the pieces and cover it with the second piece so that its own sticky side remains free. Now the structure can be glued to the inner surface of the sink.

It is advisable to stock up on toys for your toy terrier in advance: when the puppy shakes its ears or paws, or tries to tear off an unknown object, distract it with play. You can offer your baby a treat or hold him in your arms. In a few days he will get used to it.

In some cases (if the sagging was insignificant), the glued ear will finally strengthen after 2 weeks, but on average, experts recommend keeping the glue on the ears for 4–8 weeks. In any case, it is not recommended to remove them until the end of the teeth change. Fallen adhesives are restored if necessary.

If your dog's ears are set too wide apart, this may reduce his score at the show.

Fortunately, such a defect can be easily corrected with a medical patch. Gently grasp the tip of the ear, pull it up and slightly towards the center of the puppy's head. Then carefully twist the shell (clockwise if the ear is on the left, and vice versa), and then wrap several layers of tape just above its base. The winding needs to be adjusted every 2–4 days. Once every two weeks, remove it for a day so that the dog can rest, then restore it until the set of the ears becomes standard.

It is important that the dog’s nutrition is complete and balanced. Periodically he should eat cottage cheese. Dietary supplements containing calcium and strengthening cartilage can also be purchased at a pet store.

A massage will be useful: placing your thumb on the outside of the ear and your index finger on the inside, gently rub the ear from bottom to top for 5–10 minutes. This increases blood circulation and thereby strengthens the cartilage. Moderate physical activity of the pet itself is also important - a sedentary lifestyle slows down the process of growth of cartilage tissue.

Setting up ears for an adult dog

When a dog turns one year old, the cartilaginous tissue in the auricle finishes forming. If by this age your pet’s ears have not stood up, nothing can be fixed. Neither massages, nor feeding with calcined cottage cheese, nor vitamins will help. Gluing can slightly correct the shape of the ear, but the creases cannot be corrected.

The only way out in this situation is plastic surgery. If the owner wants to make the pet's ears erect at all costs, he will have to put the dog on the surgeon's table. Nuances of the upcoming operation:

1. The desired effect is achieved by trimming the animal's skin in the forehead area.
2. Sometimes, after the first operation, the ears do not stand up as they should, so you will have to perform a second, and, if necessary, a third.
3. The effect of erect ears can also be achieved by sewing a whalebone or implant into the auricle.

At the stage of preparation for the operation, the owner needs to analyze all the pros and cons. Even purebred individuals whose ears were installed through surgery cannot participate in breeding, and the consequences of surgical intervention can be completely unexpected.

An adult Doberman whose head is decorated with a homemade design

What are the types of erect ears?

Each puppy is born with tiny, neat ears gathered on top of its head. As the puppy grows, the ears straighten and rise if the pet's food contains enough nutrients and calcium.

The rising ears can take different positions:

• “helicopter”: ears hang in opposite directions;
• “house”: bend towards the middle and converge in a triangle above the top of the head;
• different positions: it happens that a puppy holds his ears completely differently - for example, one bends towards the top of the head, and the other stands vertically;
• vertical: the most favorable position is when the ears stick out with their tips up.

All of these ear positions are considered normal in growing puppies. In the future, the ears will finally form and rise in the right direction.

As your puppy grows, his head gets larger, and so does the space between his ears. At about 4 months, a puppy's ears already reach the size of a large dog's ears and seem too massive for a child's head.

Different ear positions in dogs. 1 - helicopter, 2 - house, 3 - in one direction, 4 - drooping ears

If at this time the cartilaginous tissue in the auricle is sufficiently dense, then the ears rise without any particular difficulty. Gradually, the angles of inclination in the “house” and “helicopter” positions will decrease, the sharp part will begin to rise, and the ears will straighten until they reach the end point.

Cartilage that is too flexible may not be able to cope with the weight of massive ears. In this case, the sharp half of the ear, instead of straightening out, will bend more and more from the very base.

Adult dog with drooping ear tips

What should the owner pay attention to?

Forming the position of the auricle is the most important process in raising the ears, so the owner needs to carefully monitor how this happens. Nuances to pay attention to:

• The bending lines of the tilted ear should be smooth and resemble an arc, and the tilt should decrease by several millimeters every day. An ear bent to the side or towards the top of the head at an acute angle indicates a crease. The pet needs prompt help in the form of gluing and an auxiliary course of vitamins.
• If ear development has reached the “house” position, be extremely vigilant. This is a standard method of lifting, but if the ears remain in this state for too long, the problem needs to be corrected. There is a risk of developing a difficult-to-remove crease at the beginning of the ear. If the dog is not helped in time, the ears may remain curled towards the top of the head for the rest of his life.

Puppy with house ears

• Even at the final stage there are unpleasant surprises. For example, the ears were almost up, but the owner noticed a small fold on the shell of the ear. If it is not eliminated in time, a scar or crease will form in this place. Urgent gluing is necessary so as not to miss the moment.
• If the auricle has already fully expanded, but has fallen off after changing teeth or for some other reason, you need to wait. Ears that do not straighten again after 10-14 days need to be given additional support. Some experts even believe that it is necessary to feed your pet vitamins and glue the ears immediately after they fall off.
• A lot of ear problems originate from too soft cartilage. In some cases, the ear rises, but does not look strong and sways when walking. The tip of the ear may sway or bend. The gluing will not be able to correct loose cartilage: in this case, calcium and vitamins are needed.

A crease in a dog's ear

Why ears may droop

There are several possible reasons why a Toy Terrier's ears do not go up in time. Sometimes the problem lies in incorrect mating, that is, crossing a long-haired and a short-haired breed. In addition, the cause may be an unbalanced diet of the pregnant and lactating mother bitch. The condition of the cartilage directly depends on the general health of the dog, and they remain weak if the small toy terrier itself is poorly fed, does not receive the required amount of calcium and vitamins, and often gets sick.

Similar article: What is tasty and healthy to feed your toy terrier

Installing dog ears at home: expert advice

Each puppy has its own characteristics, so the ears of even representatives of the same breed can be formed completely differently. But general principles on how not to harm a puppy still exist.

Before the procedure, wipe the dog’s ears with alcohol.

Qualified doctors advise owners who are worried about the position of their pet’s ears to adhere to the following rules:

1. Never pet a puppy on the head. All family members, including children, need to be weaned from this. The fact is that such stroking forces the dog to press its ears to its head. This can also cause a crease in weak cartilage.
2. In the cold season, ears rise worse than in summer. This is especially true for individuals who spend a lot of time outdoors. In winter, the blood supply to the ears deteriorates due to the fact that the blood vessels narrow and it is difficult for them to deliver nutrients to the ear. Therefore, procedures need to be carried out in the summer.
3. The very first ear straightening procedure should be carried out under the supervision of an experienced dog breeder. In addition, you cannot prescribe vitamins to your pet yourself: only a veterinarian can prescribe them.
4. Remember to keep an eye on your dog while the straightening device is on his head. Avoid scratching and excessive sweating of the ears. An unpleasant odor, redness and restlessness of the dog should be a signal that the process is not going well.
5. Straightening of cropped ears can be done when the wound at the cut site has completely healed. Uncropped ears can be placed from 2-3 months until all baby teeth are replaced (6-8 months). In rare cases, dogs for exhibitions have to constantly glue their ears, freeing them from the structure only before the exhibition.

An adult dog with different ear positions: one erect, the other hanging

The most important thing in the process of ear installation is to love your dog and approach the procedure responsibly. After all, this is a rather complicated matter, and even a small mistake can lead to disastrous results. You need to read a lot of literature, consult with veterinarians, and be sure to watch videos with instructions. If everything is done correctly, the pet will proudly wear its ears sticking up, and the owner will be proud of the result of his work.

When do the ears of a toy terrier stand up and is it worth cropping them?

The Russian Toy Terrier is one of the most beautiful and miniature domestic dogs with large ears that evoke universal admiration and delight. Breed characteristics include special ears, large and erect. When do a toy terrier's ears stand up? Small puppies have very soft and weak ear cartilage, so their initially floppy ears begin to rise at different stages of their lives, which causes understandable concerns among their owners. When the floppy ears of a toy terrier should turn into erect ones, what to do if this does not happen and when the ears are cropped - our article will tell you about this.

Ear shape requirements

The breed standard is erect ears, thin, large and high set. The only deviation from the standard is allowed only for the long-haired variety of the Toy Terrier, since due to the long hair the ears will still be semi-erect. If a one-year-old dog still displays floppy ears, it will be disqualified from any dog ​​show.

The gradual raising of the ears usually begins from 2-3 months of life and continues until the ear cartilages are strong enough to give the ears an erect shape. The final formation of the shape of the ears ends by the age of one, but very often the owners have to take measures to install the ears in time. All possible shapes of toy terrier ears are presented in the photo.

Why do my ears droop?

Russian Toy Terrier puppies are born with drooping ears, which rise only after 2 months of the pet's life. However, quite often soft ear cartilage causes the dog to remain with floppy ears for several months, up to the age of one year. Why does this happen? There are several reasons:

incorrect mating of toy terriers, when unscrupulous breeders cross