Bracing Puppy Ears

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Text and photos by Melinda and Duane Sunnarborg.All rights reserved.

There are a number of different ways to "train" collie puppies' ears to have the correct position and carriage as adult dogs. We have tried several different methods during our over 20-year involvement with the breed. The method described and illustrated below is the one we currently use and is the one with which we have had the best results. We brace our collie puppies' ears beginning at age 7-1/2 weeks and keep them braced as long as we feel it is necessary. Usually this is until at least age 4-1/2 months, but it can be considerably longer. The bracing period varies from puppy to puppy, although puppies from the same litter usually have similar bracing requirements.

Taping and bracing a collie puppy's ears does two things. First, taping the ear over helps keep its natural "break" (the place where the ear bends forward) flexible so that the ear cartilage does not become straight and stiff. Secondly, crossbracing or connecting the ears together encourages the puppy to hold his ears high on top of his head. He will use the muscles on top of his head to pull his ears together to take the tension off of the brace. This strengthens these muscles and increases the likelihood that he will carry his ears properly as an adult.

Below are step-by-step instructions with accompanying photos. Click on each small photo to see a more detailed enlargement. Use your browser's "Back" button to return to the text instructions.
Step 1:You will need to obtain the following materials:
  1. Moleskin. Suitable brands are Johnson & Johnson (Band-Aid) or Dr. Scholl's. It is most economical to purchase moleskin in 12" wide rolls as opposed to small, pre-cut sheets. You can purchase the Johnson & Johnson Brand in rolls. Their toll-free number is: 1-800-255-2500.
    Small, pre-packaged sheets of Dr. Scholl's brand "Moleskin Plus" can be found in most drugstores.

  2. Duct Tape.We use Nashua brand because it always seems to stick the best. Available at most larger hardware stores, we buy the 2" x 60-yard roll.

  3. Adhesive Remover.We use Zo-Eze brand adhesive remover exclusively (Breen Laboratories, 8931 So. Vermont, Los Angeles, CA 90044). Zo-Eze works effectively to remove the excess oils from the ear prior to placing the brace, yet at the same time it does not seem to irritate the puppy's skin. We buy Zo-Eze from dog show vendors or directly from the manufacturer. Other adhesive removers can be used, such as ether (available through medical supply companies) in an aerosol spray. Ether must be used with extreme caution as the vapors are highly flammable!

  4. Surgical Adhesive.Our product of choice is Skin Bond (Smith & Nephew, Inc., Largo, FL 33773, 1-800 876-1261). It is a hypo-allergenic adhesive made to hold surgical bandages in place. We use it to help the ear braces stick even better so they do not have to be re-done as often. Skin Bond can be purchased through most hospital supply stores or through J-B Wholesale Pet Supply (1-800-526-0388) or www.jbpet.com.

  5. Cosmetic Puffs or Cotton Balls.The plain drugstore variety is fine.

  6. Household Scissors.A sturdy pair of scissors is needed for cutting the moleskin and the duct tape to size.

Materials needed
Step 2:Create the pattern for the brace out of paper or light cardboard. The crossbrace piece is shaped roughly like a shallow inverted "U" and the "dots" that anchor to the base of the ear are oval-shaped. The size of these pieces will increase proportionally as the puppy grows larger. For a 7-1/2 week old puppy, the crossbrace should measure about 3-1/2 inches across and the dots should be about 3/4-inch ovals. The photo shows two sets of patterns. The upper pattern is for a young puppy; the lower pattern is for about a 10 to 12 week old puppy.Paper patterns
Step 3:Using the patterns, cut out one crossbrace and four dots from the moleskin. The moleskin cut-outs
Step 4:Peel the backing from one of the moleskin dots, apply Skin Bond to the sticky side, then glue it to the fuzzy side of another dot. You will end up with two moleskin dot "sandwiches" - the top side will be the fuzzy side; the bottom will be the side with the peel-off backing. The fuzzy side will always be the "top" (facing up) as you build these two dot sandwiches.

Hint: Be sure to shake the bottle of Skin Bond well before applying it. After brushing it on, allow it to become slightly tacky (wait about a minute) prior to pressing the glued surfaces together.		Gluing the dots
Step 5:Peel the backing away from the ends of the crossbrace, but do not completely remove the entire backing. Fold it away from the short ends of the crossbrace and trim it off at the fold, leaving the adhesive exposed only on the ends of the crossbrace. Apply Skin Bond to the these adhesive areas, then glue the fuzzy side of the dot sandwiches to them.Assembling the brace


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