Tagan's ears (pictures), opions on what I should do, please! - Page 3

Chewing bones is to strengthen the base of the ear, so while it won't hurt, I would not rely on this alone.  I would tape, and tape now, he's only 6 months, the tip is flopping, not the base being sideways.

I am no expert, but I would use molefoam.  I have taped mostly Doberman ears, also GSD, and Boxer.  Look in the foot section of the drugstore, make sure you get the thick molefoam padding (Dr. Scholls brand), not the thin kind.  Use a non-toxic rubber cement glue, you cut the molefoam to the shape of the ear (cutting a notch towards the bottom that will go partially into the ear. but not too far or it will itch the dog), clean the hair out from inside the ear first, use alcohol on a cotton ball to clean surface of wax, then paste it in-- before you put it in, wait for the glue to dry a little and get tacky.  I've also seen GSD ear forms, they're sold online, they may be easier as they have some curve to them.

With one of the GSDs I taped (or glued, whatever term you use), I moved from this to breathe right strips.  But they must be supplemented with glue, they do not stick well themselves.  You can shave the inside of the ear for a good surface to glue to. 

Other people make the mistake of thinking it will come up they wait too long, and it never does.  They would never know if taping would have helped or not.

I would never leave an ear past 6 months before taping, use one of the sugested methods and get it up.

BUT

If the puppy was to be used for showing or breeding leave it alone because it has too come up by its self or leave it out of your breeding program.

There are far too many breeders / show people that tape ears and then put their dogs out for stud. It is no wonder we have soo many ear problems we never know how many stud dogs had their ears taped.

There is no perfect dog.  Just to play the devil's advocate, if a dog was awesome in every other way, but had soft ears, why would you rule them out of breeding program?  It seems breeders accept some worse undesired traits than a soft ear and will still breed a dog.  And then if you leave the one soft-eared puppy out, whats to say any of his siblings won't pass on the genetics for soft ears?  Ears are purely cosmetic, no?  I dunno.  My Mal has awesome ears, I wish more had good ear set, my other Mal his ears are good but a bit too wide-set, then a lot I see have donkey ears... nobody really seems to care with the Mals.

If a puppy has good ears, but they have formed a "crease" preventing blood supply to properly flow through the ear.....then I would suggest forming it, to "iron" out the crease....the  returned proper amount of circulation will allow the ear to stand on it's own merit....or not.
We do not tape or manipulate ears into standing.....weak ears are just that...weak ears....no taping will change that, and it can be seen easily. Weak ears are genetic.
Some puppies will "fold & crease" their ears during the teething stage....some will get a significant crease, others may not.
The ages this occurs is usually between 4-6mos.  Chewing on bones will & does help the muscles strengthen that are used for ear carriage....but creases will prevent an ear to stand properly anyway....Creases are not genetic....they are caused by environment or individual circumstances. 
Either way....you will find individuals who agree or disagree when it comes to "ears", like any other subject.
Robin

This dog's ear will stand if you get him meaty bones and time. I am with Two Moons on this, too much manipulation gives false information over time. If the ear is to stand(and it appears it will as the base is strong), then natural use of the jaw muscles into the ear will help. If it is not to stand then propping it up will only delay the inevitable or create a floppy ear for life. I have had ears go up at seven months that looked just like his. The ears are big in this case and cartilage looks to be thick.JMO

This may help: leerburg.com/tapingears.htm

Never had one whos ears did not stand up on there own Feeding and giving the Dog a Hard Chew to chew on this will get the muscles working, and the ears will also be reacting to the Chewing, I do not ever think it wise to mess with nature if it does not come up on its own then it was meant to be that way But if left alone i reckon it will come up in its own good time, Folks worry too much , Start to mess about with the ears and you may well regret it
I NEVER TOUCH a young Dogs ears with my hands they are sensitive and the blood vessels are easily damaged Keep your hands off of any young dods ears until they have matured
Steve1