How to Train Sheltie Ears
In addition to their loyal, companionable personalities, one of the endearing characteristics of Shelties is an expression that is both intelligent and innocent. That look is enhanced by alert ears with peaked ends tipped forward and aligned toward the center of the head. Contrary to some views, naturally tipped ears rarely occur, no matter how carefully Shelties are bred. Fortunately, training a puppy's ears is pain-free and, begun early enough, will almost always be successful. Serious training should begin at about 10 weeks, before teething begins and ears begin to "fly" erect, and continue as needed until eight months of age.
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Things You'll Need
- Scissors
- 2 pieces of drinking straw
- Hair-bond glue
- Another person/helper
- Adhesive remover
Instructions
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1
Cut the pieces of drinking straw. Using the scissors, cut the straws each about an inch longer than the widest part of the puppy's ear.
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2
Place a pearl-size drop of hair-bond glue on your index finger. Be prepared to work quickly as this glue dries in approximately 30 seconds.
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3
Hold your finger alongside the base of the ear, glue side forward away from the ear.
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4
Comb and gather a small amount of hair up over your finger and the drop of glue.
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5
Place and hold one of the straw pieces horizontally alongside the inside of the ear. Direct your helper to hold the straw just above your finger. The straw helps prevent a tight crease in the ear, giving it a more natural tipped shape.
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6
Pull the top of the ear tip down over the straw and the glue.
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Roll the glue into both the hair on the tip of the ear and the combed-up hair over your finger; repeat the process on the other ear.
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8
Compare both ears to see if they are even and tipped exactly the same. If one is tipped more or less than the other, stop, use the adhesive remover and start over.
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9
Pull the ears together, gently aligning them at the center of the puppy's head, and have your helper roll a bit of glue among several hairs together from each ear. This will form a small "bridge" between the ears.
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10
Determine that you are satisfied with the tipping and positioning of your puppy's ears. Finish by adding a tiny additional amount of glue to both the bridge hairs and the ear tip hairs for added bonding. Remove the drinking straw pieces.
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Tips & Warnings
Hold and cuddle your Sheltie puppy for five to 10 minutes to make sure the glue has set and can't be shaken or scratched loose.
Gluing should last for one to two weeks. The ears may come unglued every now and then, especially as the puppy grows. If one comes undone, always undo the other ear at the same time to keep them evenly trained. Clean old glue off each ear with adhesive remover and redo.
Allow 24 to 48 hours between gluing treatments to see how well your puppy's ears are training. Some will tip nicely by seven months of age, while some Sheltie ears may need 10 months or more.
Success depends on the individual puppy and, occasionally, the ears will resist training, regardless of diligent efforts. The result will be a pet-quality dog rather than an American Kennel Club (AKC) -eligible show dog.
