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EAR POSTING

Great Dane & European Doberman Ear Posting Instruction

Scissor and Sellotape

SUPPLY PREP & POSTING

Full Supply List & Written Instructional

SUPPLY LIST

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SUPPLIES IN BOLD ARE MANDATORY ...CLICK THE UNDERLINED PRODUCT NAME TO ORDER

 

Nutri-Vet Ear Cleanse for Dogs

OR

Witch Hazel

 

3/4” Backer Rod - 2 rods needed - GREAT DANE

  5/8” Backer Rod - DOBERMAN PINSCHER or GREAT DANE PUPPY

~ breeder will advise on proper sizing ~

 

1 Backer Rod, cut smaller, if using backer rod for bridge

 

Duct Tape

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 Black Athletic Tape 

(porous + non-stretch) 

(we only use the black sports tape)

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Torbot Liquid Bonding

OR

Skin Tac Liquid Adhesive Barrier

(latex-free adhesive)

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Goo Gone Adhesive Remover

OR

Uni-Solve Adhesive Remover Wipes

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Gold Bond Powder

OR

Cornstarch Powder

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Cotton Swabs

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Sharp Scissors

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Bandage Scissors

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OPTIONAL SUPPLIES

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Guard-Tex Original Protective Tape 1”

(sticks to itself + non-stretch)

*OPTIONAL*

 

Gauze Squares

OR

Cotton Balls 

*OPTIONAL*

 

Rubbing Alcohol

*OPTIONAL*

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Tongue Depressors

*OPTIONAL*

 

Vinyl Gloves

*OPTIONAL*

 

Dandelion Dog Ear Posting Kit

(Purchase the “Single” on Amazon. Discard or re-purpose the included tape)

*OPTIONAL*

 

3M Micropore Paper Tape 2”

 (you may use backer rod / paper tape / sports tape for the bridge)

*OPTIONAL*

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PREP YOUR SUPPLIES

 

One single backer rod will be needed for the bridge, or you may omit the rod and use Black Sports Tape or Paper Tape - approx 1.5 - 2 inches works well here. If using a rod, you may use the 3/4” size or choose to go smaller in diameter. See what works best for you and your pup. Hold up the ears at approx 11 & 1 (like a clock) and cut your rod accordingly.

 

Line up one of the rods with the tip of the ear, accounting for the portion that will sit within the bell of the ear toward the ear canal. Measure second rod equally. The rods should stand as tall as the ear.

 

Bevel the tips of the backer rods that will be inserted in bell of ear, in the direction of, but not in the ear canal.

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Wrap the 2 backer rods with duct tape twice for increased stability. 

Do not wrap the portion that has been beveled.

 

Starting at the bottom of rod but above the beveled portion, wrap once around rod with the Sports Tape. Do not cut.

After one full revolution, wrap backward straight around. Again, do not cut. As you get back to where you started, begin to wrap backward diagonal to the top of the backer rod so that the sticky side is on the outside of the rod all the way to the top. Set aside.

 

Prep your tape strips. 

You’ll need three or four 6” strips of Sports Tape cut (length is approximate).

If you are going over the white tape with the black sports tape, cut the same amount of Black Sports Tape (*optional). Set aside.

 

Cut multiple 6” strips of Guard-Tex Tape (optional). Start with somewhere around 20 so you are sure to have enough.

You’ll have more knowledge on what you need to work with for future postings after your first time with posting. Set aside.

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Exercise your puppy with a walk or playtime in the yard before posting. A tired dog is a good dog!

Make sure they have gone potty before beginning. Some dogs benefit from having some canine "calming chews."

 

Choose a good environment where you will be posting your puppy’s ears. 

This should be a calm, quiet area that your puppy is comfortable in and a place where you can sit or kneel for an extended period.

There should be no other pets present, aim for zero distractions. Use cushioning to keep yourself comfortable.

Leash your puppy to establish that from start to finish, your puppy is to remain with you. Have puppy stay with you for the entirely

of posting. Do not let your puppy run around, otherwise they may think they can get up from you at any time and do whatever suits

them for future postings. Grab a helper to assist you and hold your puppy in position while you are posting. 

This can be done on your own but will go much smoother with a helper. 

 

Stick the end of your Coach Sports Tape strips nearby so that you can access them easily.

You may wish to use the edge of a table, stool, sofa, etc. to stick the tape to. Guard-Tex tape does not have an adhesive side but does stick to itself so do not stack, but have it easily accessible. 

 

You are now ready to post!

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EAR POSTING INSTRUCTIONS

 

Clean the ear with solution, using a cotton swab. Get in all the crevices and clean the bell of the ear thoroughly.

Do not use oil to clean as any oil residue can prevent your postings from adhering properly.

 

Using one alcohol wipe, wipe inside of ear from top to down inside bell. Use more if necessary.

 

Pop a puff of Gold Bond Powder or Cornstarch into the bell of the ear. This will aid in creating a dry environment

for the posts to sit into. Moisture from ear wax will deteriorate the closed cell foam of the backer rod post faster and ensure

that your posting won’t last as long as it could have.

 

Don gloves if desired and douse one side of the prepped backer rod with the Skin Tac Liquid. This is the side that will stick against

the inside of the ear. Twist backer rod into the bell of the ear and toward the canal with the beveled end of the backer rod.

Gently stretch the ear up and stick the backer rod to the inside of the ear. The edge where you placed the Skin Tac

should be against the inside of the ear. The backer rod should line up with the tip of the ear.

Check bottom of the bell of the ear to feel the bottom of your backer rod. 

 

Using one strip of Sports Tape, stick the end onto the backer rod and wrap around toward the top of your puppy’s head

until it comes back around the rod. You will see a natural bend in the ear. We need to preserve this bend every time we post

as it is a crucial step in getting the ears to stand on their own. Do not make this tight, rather, have the tape touch only lightly

After the revolution is complete, gently squeeze tape so it is all sticking together now. 

 

Using another strip of Sports Tape, again make a horizontal revolution at a level above the first taping around the puppy’s ear.

Tape lightly and gently squeeze together as above. Keep in mind that the entire ear does not need to be encased in tape,

nor should it be - air is a good thing! At this point you are either going to use your Dandelion Ear Posting Brace 

or tongue depressors, or not at all if you have chosen to do so. 

 

Brace - You may choose to separate the brace or keep it together in posting one side and the the other. Do whatever

is easiest for you. There is only one way that the brace will sit properly on the head. There is a hole in the middle at the bottom

which sits right over your pup’s “smart bump.” Lining this up prior to taping is best. You may also choose to not have the brace

bottom lie on top of your pup’s head and that’s completely ok. Gently stretch some cotton balls out or use your square gauze

and place over any sharper edges of the brace that will be laying against your puppy’s ears. You don’t want to develop chafing.

Tape one side of the bridge to the outside of the ear with one strip of Sports Tape near the bottom and then, the top.

Repeat on the other side. Attach the sides by sliding the bottom pieces together.

Remember that you are aiming for an 11AM + 1PM formation for the ears.

 

Tongue Depressor - Measure stick by holding it to the back of your puppy’s ear from base to tip. You may have to trim the stick

to accommodate varying sizes as your puppy’s ears grow. Round the ending with scissors so there isn’t anything sharp.

You may choose to wrap the stick in a strip of Coach Sports Tape for a slight bit of extra padding. This is your preference for

your puppy. Gently stretch some cotton balls out or use your square gauze and place over any sharper edges of the stick that

will be laying against your puppy’s ears. You don’t want to develop chafing. Tape one side of the stick to the outside of the ear

with one strip of Coach Sports Tape near the bottom and then, the top. Repeat on the other side. Attach the sides by sliding

the bottom pieces together.

 

Measure your bridge. 

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