What to do if the shepherd's ears do not stand up. When the German Shepherd's ears stand up and the reasons for the wrong fit. How to put ears on your own

A feature of the German Shepherd is considered to be vertically upright ears. How long does it take for them to get up and when should this happen?

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When should a German Shepherd's ears stand up?

A German Shepherd puppy is born as a small fluffy lump with lowered ears. By 2 months, it grows, the paws are extended, and a thick coat appears.

Already at 2-3 months you can notice the first signs that the ears are rising. This process can be delayed and last up to 8 months, and for some shepherd dogs up to 1 year. It’s worth worrying if by 4-5 months you haven’t noticed them raised.

In the process, when puppies' ears stand up, owners need to be vigilant. It is impossible to allow creases and treat in a timely manner if they get sick or inflamed.

They can get up at the German Shepherd one at a time, sometimes slightly sticking out to the side, or falling off again. A veterinarian or breeders should be consulted when examining this organ and looking for weak spots in the cartilage, if any.

Medications and vitamins for pets

During the raising of the ears of a puppy, there is increased growth of the whole organism, so the pet needs balanced diet. The body must receive vitamins, minerals, biological additives and calcium.

• pax-forte;
• mega;
• antiox plus;
• Vision complexes.

• reduce the consumption of cereals, especially barley, hercules;
• enough to give dairy products, rich in calcium(up to 550 mg of calcium per 1 kg of weight);
• add bone meal;
• you can grind ordinary white chalk.

How to put ears on your own

How many times has your German Shepherd's ears been up and down again? How to understand that they will rise in a few months on their own? Can you install them yourself?

At the age of a puppy from six months, if the ears have already risen and are ready to stand up, you can help them:

1. Inspection for weak spots in the cartilage. We probe with two fingers the entire area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe auditory organ from the tip to the roots. Usually weak spots look like spots, but if there is a crease, they can be streaks. When you click on such a point, the ear should immediately rise.
2. If there are no weak points or they are in the upper part, then the ears will stand up on their own, you just need to continue to properly feed the puppy.
3. If there was a hall or a weak spot is located at a distance of about 2/3 from the root, then it is necessary to glue the ears.

Improvised means and medicines

How to glue the ears of a German Shepherd, there are several ways. First of all, it is better to cut the wool on them, and on both sides. Then choose one of the proposed gluing methods.

Finally, a few tips for German Shepherd owners from experts:

1. Do not worry if the shepherd's ears fall when the teeth change, and then rise again - this is considered normal.
2. They should stand up on their own at the age of 8 weeks to 6 months. After that, it is recommended to install them yourself.
3. Do not be afraid of gluing the ears or taping them. Properly done, the procedure stimulates the ear muscles and helps your German Shepherd.
4. Spend preventive examinations your pet. You must be sure that he is healthy, eats properly and has enough essential vitamins and minerals for normal development.
5. You can not start the process when the ears are up. Watch him carefully and take action in time, otherwise they may not get up at all.
6. Do not be afraid to ask questions to specialists, veterinarians or breeders.

Photo gallery

Video "We put the ears of a shepherd dog"

The video tells how to bring an examination of the ears, and gives recommendations for self-staging them.

You brought into the house a tiny fluffy lump - a puppy german shepherd. While he is still small and almost does not resemble the beautiful and graceful animal that he will become in the future. But after 2-3 months, its size will increase, the paws will become slender and flexible, the muzzle will stretch, and the ears will perkyly stand upright.

The last parameter is very important: according to the generally accepted standard, a German shepherd must have pointed, vertical erect ears with forward-facing auricles. And they should get up no later than 5-6 months.

When should you worry?

Depending on the puppy's diet, health and physique, the ears can stand up in the period from 3 to 6 months. However, by the 4th month they should get stronger and become quite rigid. It is during this period that cartilage tissue is actively formed in the puppy, which contributes to the compaction of the auricle and the correct setting of the ears.

If your puppy is already 4 months old, large and not hard enough ears that hang on the sides of the head like soft rags may be a cause for concern. In this case, you need to resort to a number of procedures aimed at strengthening the ear and cartilage tissue.

If by 6-7 months the ears continue to hang limply, you need to think about artificial setting. This procedure can be done at home or in the veterinarian's office. Well, if these measures do not help, you will have to agree to the operation.

Why don't puppies have ears?

Delayed ear positioning can be caused by several reasons:

1. Mixing breeds. If you purchased a dog without documents from unverified breeders, be prepared for the fact that your pet turns out to be a purebred German Shepherd, but a crossbreed. These animals often have problems with the setting of the ears.
2. Lack biologically active substances(most often calcium and phosphorus) in the body of an animal. The lack of vitamins and minerals inhibits the formation of cartilage and increases the risk of untimely setting of the ears.
3. Ear diseases. Monitor the condition of the animal's ears: if the dog suffers from an ear mite, its ear is inflamed or reddened, you should not expect self-staging.
4. Irregular structure or position of the ears. Ears that are widely spaced or too large and heavy are unlikely to be able to stand up without assistance. The same applies to too thin ears. Here you have to resort to different ways artificial setting or to the services of a veterinarian.
5. Weakened immunity and soreness. If a puppy is often sick, his body quickly depletes nutrients, and they no longer remain for the formation of cartilaginous tissue. This is why weakened dogs often have problems with ear placement.

It happens that the puppy's ears that have risen early fall off again. Most often this is due to the fact that the animal's teeth begin to change, and the body is under stress.

In most cases, the ears rise again without assistance.

What to do if the ears do not stand up?

If the ears of a four-month-old puppy are soft and flaccid, you need to carry out several procedures:

1. Ear massage. Gently stroking the ear with your fingertips helps stimulate blood circulation and promotes proper cartilage development.
2. Sound stimulation. Attract the dog's attention with an unusual sound: he will turn his muzzle towards you and prick up his ears (as a result of muscle tension, the ears will slightly rise or stand upright). Of course, then they will go down. But regular training will help strengthen them, and sooner or later they will be fixed in an upright position.
3. Diet review. Insufficient development of cartilage tissue at this age indicates that the puppy lacks biologically active substances. Diversify the shepherd's menu with fish, dairy products and meat and bone meal: these products contain a lot of phosphorus and calcium, which are so necessary for a growing dog. Do not forget to give your pet boiled pork ears and jelly: gelatin promotes the formation of cartilage.
4. Add specialty foods to your dog's food. There are a great many of them, so before buying a drug, consult a veterinarian.

How to put your own ears?

Artificial setting is worth considering if the ears have not risen on their own by 6-7 months. The procedure is carried out as follows:

1. By yourself or with the help of a groomer, shave the coat with dog ear. Then degrease the inner surface of the auricle with a cotton swab dipped in cologne or alcohol, and plug cotton swab auditory canal.
2. Make ear inserts from a hypoallergenic patch and a piece of cardboard. Cut out two identical parts: one from cardboard, the other from plaster. The shape and size should match the size of the auricle of your animal. Stick the cardboard piece onto the non-adhesive surface of the patch with glue.
3. Glue the resulting insert on inner part ear with the sticky part of the band-aid. Do the same with the second ear.
4. Roll the ear into a loose tube and secure at the base with masking tape or adhesive tape. You should get a “horn” sticking up. Do the same with the second ear.
5. Fasten together the resulting "horns" so that they are in a standing position.
6. After 7-14 days, remove the structure. Dog ears should take the correct vertical position.

If this procedure did not help, the problem will be solved surgical intervention. Veterinarian implanting a dog ear cartilage and give her muzzle a standard look.

A whole standard has been developed for the German Shepherd, which the animal must meet. Special attention given to the ears: the shells should be upright, with sharp tips and be of medium size. If they hang, there are breaks - this is considered a marriage. It often happens that the dog's ears do not rise or only one rises. While the puppy is small, there is no reason for excitement and panic. Each dog develops individually, therefore it is not possible to say with accuracy how long it will take to set the ears.

When should the ears rise?

Ear lifting in puppies begins at two months of age and is completed by five. There are exceptions when the process stretches up to the eighth month or up to a year. The auricles begin to acquire over time big sizes thanks to cartilage strengthening.

Often, by the age of 60, the ears rise, but due to weak cartilage, they fall again. This phenomenon is normal.

The owner must ensure that no cracks form on the pet's ears. If they do not rise by six months, be sure to take the pet to veterinarian to examine and identify weak spots in cartilage joints. It should be remembered that after the seventh month, setting the auricles is almost impossible.

Why can't ears stand up

It is known that the German Shepherd's ears do not rise due to completely different factors.

These include:

1. 1. Uncleanliness. Dishonest breeders often deceive people: they sell them unpurebred German Shepherds. Such animals often have problems with the setting of the ears, so it is necessary to carefully check all the documents of the purchased puppy.
2. 2. Flaw minerals in the dog's diet. Because of this, cartilage cannot form correctly and in a timely manner, which causes problems with their setting.
3. 3. Ear diseases. Inflammatory processes and the appearance ear mites render Negative influence for the development of the ears.
4. 4. Non-standard structure or arrangement. Too wide set of ears, very large or heavy cartilage leads to the fact that the ears cannot rise on their own, the help of a person will be needed here. If the ears are very thin, artificial setting will be required. For right decision problems, it is better to contact a veterinarian so as not to harm the animal.
5. 5. Underdeveloped immune system and frequent illnesses puppy. In this case, the dog's body will quickly consume nutrients for recovery, and they will not be enough for the formation of cartilage tissue. Often it is weakened dogs that face the problem. correct setting ears.

Raising and training a German Shepherd - basic principles and rules, advice from cynologists

What measures to take

If a puppy at the age of four months has excessive flaccidity and softness of the ears, the owner should take measures such as:

1. 1. Ear massage. To stimulate blood circulation, lightly stroke the puppy's ears.
2. 2. Sound effects. The attention of the animal is attracted by an unusual sound for him. The puppy will definitely turn and raise or fully set his ears. In this state, they will not stay long, but thanks to regular workouts strengthens muscle, due to which, over time, the auricles will stand upright.
3. 3. Proper diet plan. With a lack useful substances cartilage will not develop. The puppy's menu should be varied and include fish, dairy products, bone meal, boiled pork ears.
4. 4. The use of special dressings. Thanks to them, the dog receives all the necessary trace elements.

In the event that the auricles do not rise by the due date, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian. He may prescribe vitamin and mineral supplements.

After strengthening the cartilage tissue, it is necessary to perform some procedures that will prevent defects in the auricles. It is better to entrust this to a specialist, but if the owner has certain knowledge, he will be able to do everything on his own.

When to rewind your ears

If there is a need to rewind the ears, some nuances must be taken into account before the procedure. To carry out the operation, you need to wait until the puppy's teeth begin to change, and it is best to wait for the end of this process.

During this period, the puppy should be provided with calcium in enough, which is necessary for changing teeth and other processes in the body. When there is a shortage useful element problems begin with the setting of the ears. It will be enough to slightly increase the sources of calcium in the puppy's diet (a tablespoon of cottage cheese or yogurt will help overcome the deficiency).

If there is no firm confidence that the time has come for rewinding, it is recommended to consult with a veterinarian about this. With early rewinding, the auricles can be seriously damaged and then they will no longer stand.

It is categorically not recommended to give calcium supplements to animals: with an excess of calcium, it begins to be deposited in the skeletal bones, which leads to orthopedic problems on the later dates life.

Much depends on the health of the pet. The owner must follow the vaccination schedule and deworm in a timely manner. Puppy food should be high quality and balanced. It is recommended to allow the animal to gnaw on non-hazardous bones and toys.

A separate item is the protection of the puppy's auricles from injury. Due to damage, staging problems may occur. During games, dogs often drag each other by the ears - such games should be stopped.

How to rewind ears

If it is necessary to artificially raise the ears, this can be done at home.

The procedure consists of the following steps:

1. 1. First you need to shave off the coat from the dog's ears. Then degrease inner surface auricles; cologne or alcohol will help with this. At the same time, close the auditory canals with cotton swabs.
2. 2. For the manufacture of ear inserts, you need to use a hypoallergenic patch and a piece of cardboard. It is necessary to make two parts: one is cardboard, the other is made of plaster. Their shape and size should correspond to the size of the pet's ears. The cardboard should be attached to the non-adhesive surface of the patch with glue.
3. 3. Place the insert in the inner part of the ear and stick with the sticky part of the patch.
4. 4. Roll up the auricle with a loose tube and fix it to the base with the same plaster to get a “horn” sticking up.
5. 5. Attach the "horns" to each other so that they stand straight.

You can remove the fixing bandage after one to two weeks. You can try to remove the patch after 7 days and see the result. If the puppy's ears are straight, then the bandage is removed completely, if they still fall, then the design remains for another week.

If the method did not work, and the ears (or one) fell, you can resort to the services of a surgeon to implant the ear cartilage.

Veterinary surgery is the way to go if your pet's ears don't stand up, but it's best to try to avoid it.

And, if this does not happen in time, action should be taken. According to the standard, in dogs of this breed, the auricles are erect and pointed, looking forward. Experienced breeders or cynologists can tell the owner how to put the ears on a German shepherd puppy.

According to the standard, the auricles of the Germans must stand firmly upright, without creases or other defects. It is impossible to predict when a German Shepherd will have, as each puppy develops differently.

It is believed that in babies with a lighter skeleton, the ears rise earlier - as early as 1.5-2 months. If the puppy is sufficiently "heavy" and large, this period is shifted to 4-6, and sometimes up to 8-9 months.

INTERESTING! Some breeders note that in pets that are grown in an apartment, the ears can get up 1.5-2 months earlier.

In many babies, the auricles fall temporarily for permanent ones, from 3 months to six months. This is due to the fact that calcium deficiency can occur in the body. Usually, after the teeth have changed, everything is normal, and.

What are the reasons for the ears not standing up

The ears of a German may not rise for various reasons:

1. Diet. Nutritional deficiencies, micro- and macronutrients (especially calcium) affect the development of the puppy. A pet whose is not balanced grows and develops worse, he may experience rickets, and the auricles do not rise even by half a year.
2. Age. Many owners begin to worry very much if the pet already has, and then by 3-5 months they have fallen again. This phenomenon is associated with, so there is no reason to worry. If the dog's ears have not even begun to rise by 5-6 months, action should be taken.
3. Diseases. The development of a pet is directly affected by the diseases they have suffered. If the puppy has suffered severe infection, his ears may not rise at all.
4. Heredity. Some unscrupulous breeders allow mixing of blood outbred dogs. If the puppy had mestizos with heavy and in the ancestors, this trait could be passed on to offspring. Also, such a deficiency can be transmitted from purebred dogs with ear problems.

Ears stand up for a long time large puppies with heavy bones. These babies have very thick and heavy auricles, and in many cases, the owners have to take additional measures in order to put them on.

What to do if the ears do not stand up

If by 4-5 months the auricles have not begun to rise, the first thing to do is to reconsider. It is necessary to add foods rich in calcium and phosphorus to the menu (cottage cheese, fish).

You should also give your pet additional vitamins or mineral supplements:

• Phytocalcevit. Meat and bone meal enriched with microelements and vitamins. Promotes proper formation not only cartilage, but the whole bone tissue. This supplement is fed to puppies at 1.5 tbsp. per day. Phytocalcevit can be given to a pet throughout the entire growth period, and adult dog it is enough to feed him 2-3 times a year, for 3-4 weeks.
• Canina GAG Forte (Canina Canhydrox GAG). Tablets containing calcium hydroxyapatite, silicic acid, vitamin C and sponge mollusk extract. The drug has an effect on the formation of bone and cartilage tissues. Puppies are fed tablets in a dosage of 2 pcs. for every 10 kg of body weight. The drug continues to be given to the German up to 15 months.
• Polidex Gelabon Plus. A drug that strengthens cartilage and connective tissue in the dog's body. The supplement is given to puppies during the period active growth in a dosage: 1 tab. per 5 kg of body weight. For adult pets, the drug is fed in courses of 2-3 months, twice a year.

Many owners prefer. As a permanent diet, you should choose brands that belong to a class not lower than premium.

For feeding a German Shepherd puppy, food marked “for puppies” is suitable. large breeds”, for example Royal Canin GIANT, Royal Canin Junior MAXI, Almo Nature Large Puppy, etc. These diets contain everything necessary for proper development puppy components.

How to put your own ears

If the ears of a puppy at 3-4 months hang with a cloth and are not going to rise, or a hall has formed on the cartilage or has just begun to appear, it is necessary to start gluing the auricle.

They do this by following the following algorithm:

1. On both ears, the hair is shaved from both sides.
2. The inner surface is degreased. To do this, a little alcohol or cologne is applied to a cotton pad, and then they wipe the skin with it.
3. Inserts are cut out of thick cardboard, repeating the pet's ear in shape and size.
4. The cardboard is attached to a wide patch (its non-adhesive side) with glue.
5. The resulting design is glued into the dog's ear.
6. Both ears are twisted into a tube, fixed at the base with a narrow plaster.

This design is left for 1-2 weeks, after which the patch is carefully peeled off. Ears should be tight by this time. If this does not happen, let the pet rest for 3-4 days, and then repeat the gluing procedure again.

You can put the puppy's ears with the help of foam rollers:

1. Remove the plastic rod from the curler.
2. Instead of a rod, insert a small, non-sharp pencil, 3-4 cm long, into the foam rubber.
3. Shave your pet's ears on both sides, degrease the inner surface.
4. Apply glue to the surface of the curler.
5. Glue the curlers to the inner surface of the ear, gently squeeze the ear.
6. Carefully remove the pencil from the middle of the curler.
7. Tape the pet's ear with a breathable patch and fix the foam rubber inside.
8. After removing the inserts, the ears must be thoroughly cleaned.

This design, like cardboard, is left for 1-2 weeks. It is necessary daily for irritation and inflammation.

REFERENCE! Glued ears can be fastened together with a plaster in order to form the correct setting.

If on auricle has already formed a hall, or the pet has been injured, due to which the ears do not rise, you can resort to implantation (plastic surgery). This procedure is carried out under general anesthesia.

After the puppy has fallen asleep, the skin on the ear is incised, and a special sterile endoprosthesis in the form of a mesh is inserted inside. The surgeon then applies stitches. After the operation, the animal is put on elizabethan collar, which will not allow the puppy to injure the ear, as it will hurt, itch and cause discomfort.

The stitches are removed after 10-14 days. All this time, it is necessary to examine the ears and, at the first signs of inflammation, immediately contact the veterinarian who performed the operation.

Firmly erect ears are the “calling card” of the German Shepherd. If they do not rise, you should look for the cause. Perhaps the pet is not enough, or he has suffered. If the ears have not risen by 4-5 months, you should resort to gluing them.

Hello, tell me, the puppy is 2.5 months old, boy, one ear is already well, the second is not yet. Can it stay in a sagging position? What needs to be done and at what age to straighten the ear faster? Thank you.

Answer

The deadline for the formation of the ears of a German Shepherd puppy is 5 months. The process begins at the age of three months. If by the indicated time the ears have not stood up on their own, additional intervention may be required. Breed standards are strict appearance sheepdog ears. The auricles should stand straight or it's time to forget the way to the dog shows.

Why ears don't straighten

A common reason why the ears of a German shepherd do not rise in a timely manner is considered to be a lack of calcium and phosphorus ions in the body. To avoid this, review the puppy's diet. Add bone meal to your pet, enrich the diet with dairy products and fish. Ask your veterinarian what vitamins and minerals you can give your puppy.

If the pet is already 8 months old, and the ears have not straightened, it may be worth doubting the purity of the breed of the pupil. Consult with experienced breeders. Show puppy. Perhaps a similar difficulty was manifested in the pet's parents.

Acquired causes of droopy ears include:

1. Ear injuries in a pet.
2. Ear diseases.
3. Insufficient formation of the cartilaginous tissue of the auricle due to calcium deficiency.
4. Diseases in early age that slow down the growth and development of the dog.
5. Overfeeding a pet.
6. Flaw physical activity. sedentary image puppy life.
7. Keeping a pet in conditions is not enough high temperature air, living in a cold aviary or kennel.

Prevention of sagging ears

The pet did not turn three months, the ears are able to stand erect on their own. To make this happen faster, it is recommended to take a number of preventive measures.

1. Enrich your baby's diet with minerals and multivitamins. Feed the dog cottage cheese, milk, fish. Sometimes doctors advise pouring crushed and peeled chalk into your pet's food.
2. Avoid overfeeding your pet - overeating will not add health to the dog.
3. Regularly clean the dog's ears, treat ear diseases in time, and avoid injury.
4. Carefully monitor the health of the pet so as not to get complications in the form of pathology of the formation of bones and cartilage.
5. Walk with the baby as much as possible, play outdoor games. The more active the puppy, the better the cartilage and bones are formed.
6. Create comfortable temperature conditions for your pet. Avoid hypothermia.

Massage your baby's ears regularly. Do it carefully, from the bottom of the ear to the tip. This will improve blood circulation and accelerate the formation of ear cartilage. Such a massage can be carried out independently.

Gluing the ears of a shepherd

If there is a weakness of the cartilaginous tissue in the auricle, they resort to the measure of gluing. Try to identify the weak part in the cartilage, which is palpable with your fingers. If the weak point is located at the tip of the ear, it does not need correction, it will soon rise on its own. It is preferable to carry out gluing with a breathable hypoallergenic patch. The tool will provide normal condition pet skin and protect against rotting and irritation.

First, it is supposed to cut the shell of wool. Then gently wipe the pet's ear from dirt and sulfur. It is permissible to use hydrogen peroxide, alcohol or wet wipes.

Two long adhesive strips are cut off to fit the pet's ears. Tapes are glued to each other. The strips are glued to inside ear along the entire length. The puppy's auricle is twisted into a tube with a hollow inner part. A strip of plaster is wound around the base of the ear. The bandage is left for 10-12 days. Then the patch must be carefully removed. Do not use scotch tape or electrical tape to tie. To fix the ears, you can use an ice cream stick. Both ears are supposed to be wound at the same time, even if one is already fully extended.

Fixation with curlers

To form the correct setting of the ear, it is possible to use foam rubber curlers. From the objects you will need to remove the central rigid base. Insert into the resulting hole wooden stick or a pencil to facilitate fixing the curlers in the ear.

Three quarters of the curlers are treated with medical glue. Apply in such a way that the glue completely covers the surface of the foam rubber, at the same time does not drain or drip. Do not allow glue to enter the auricle - for fear of causing irritation and inflammation.

If it is impossible to find glue or it is inconvenient to use it, they resort to simpler methods. Wrap the surface of the curler with the mentioned breathable patch so that the adhesive side is on the outside. If you use a patch, you do not have to resort to using a stick or pencil

The curler is attached to the puppy's ear in such a way that ear canal remained free. It is permissible to lightly press the curlers against the wall of the ear.