These are simple step by step instructions for ear taping that leaves the base of the ear open rather than sticking a stay inside of the ear. Remember that taping should be a fun and easy experience for your puppy. It often helps to have another person to hold and praise the puppy for the taping process. Be sure to completely clean the puppy's ears before beginning taping. Tapes should be removed every 7-10 days with an adhesive remover (I like GooGone or DeSolvIt). Clean ears and retape as soon as possible.
Rule of Thumb: Every day out of tapes is another week in.
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Supplies:
Torbot Bonding Cement- from medical supply store.
1 1/2" wide Zonas tape (Johnson&Johnson)
Two 8" zip ties with ends cut off
1" wide piece of pipe insulation (hardware store in plumbing)
Gold Bond Medicated Powder
Prepare your supplies before hand so that the puppy only has to sit still for a few minutes.
Put the zip ties side by side on the tape and fold tape lengthwise over the zip ties. Be sure to leave a bit of extra tape on each end.
Cut or tear tape.
Two 8" pieces to go over the top of the stay
One 4" piece, tear lengthwise into two pieces to wrap around tips
Two 8" pieces to go around the foam and base
One 8" piece, tear lengthwise into two pieces to form the bridge
Wrap tape around the stays and foam pieces so that the sticky side is facing out.
Cut the pipe insulation in half so that you have two equal pieces.
Cut the stay in half so that you have a 4" stay for each ear.
Press the flag end against the button. If the stay doesn't reach the tip of the ear, you may need to use longer zip ties.
Do not wrap the tape around. Lay it around the tip of the ear and press it down.
Use 4" narrow tape to tape the tip. Be sure to fold it gently around the ear in the direction of the ear fold.
Fold 8" wide tape over the stay. Be sure that the tip if the ear is not curled in the tape.
Apply Torbot adhesive to one side of each stay and one side of each foam. Let set for a few minutes so that the adhesive becomes tacky. Apply a second coat before taping ears.
Apply Gold Bond Medicated Powder to the outside of the ear along the natural fold at the front of the ear. Also apply a small amount of powder inside the ear.
There is a button of skin on the inside of the ear. This is where you will rest the flag end of the stay.
Repeat the process on both ears. (Doesn't Cadet look thrilled to be my model?)
**Important**
Be sure to pull the ear up and out away from the puppy's head before taping the foam piece into place.
Using the 8" wide base tape, tape around the foam piece and base of ear using the same process as on the tip. Do not wrap the tape, lay it in place and press it down. Wrapping the tape tightly will cut off the blood supply to the ear and could possibly damage the ear tissue.
Press the sticky side of the foam piece to the button of the ear. It should not be inside the base of the ear.
Using the 8" narrow strips, make a flag around the base of each ear with the sticky side of the tapes facing each other.
Wrap the sticky ends of each flag together to join the bridge. Be sure the ears are straight up and down.
This is a good example of the finished, correctly taped ears on baby India and baby Kenya.
