Puppy ears - Page 2

I like to see the pup's ears come up naturally and usually when the young pup erects its ears by 12 weeks even if they go down again, they usually will find their place. The male I am raising is now 6 months and he had a big time with teething and one ear would just fold over. But every time I thought I was going to do something with that ear, it stood up erect. Now in the 6th month, it has become a very dependable ear. I think it is funny because, I would be thinking to myself. . . got to do something about it. . . and low and behold the next day that ear was up. I wonder if this guy just had a sense of humour, or his ear. Well, the day before his first show, the ear was down and the day at the show it was up again. We have hot weather here in Texas and I am sure this has something to do with it. I have been told that supplementing with glucosomine does help the ear cartilege, but I don't know if this is true or not. One should start right at 8 weeks, when getting the pup. I don't think it can hurt though. I personally do like to know if a dog has been helped along in his youth in respect of his/her ears as far as breeding prospects are concerned. I have a thing about weak ears. But I also feel that a GSD ears should stand and if one can ensure it, one should do it.

Well, I probably made the poor thing sick. I'm SURE I gave him too much yogurt and milk. I will just give him a little yogurt from now on then. Sigh. Hope it will not hurt him!

Melissa, My suggestion to Maverick was for one night only. To give a little milk and yogurt to a pup, or dog, for that matter, has to be done slowly. I feed my dogs a wide variety of fresh food with kibble. They tolerate milk and yogurt very well. For dogs that eat only kibble, any change is radical and will result in diarrhea. Gradually, give a tablespoon, or two, of yogurt to your puppy every day. A little milk now and then is also fine. See what he can tolerate. You can't get carried away with supplementing with calcium. You know calcium makes the bones grow. If they grow too fast, the surrounding tissues, ligaments and muscles can't support them. Therefore, I give additional amounts of ESTER C--1000mg, and glucosamine- 750mg, chondroitin sulfate, 600mg (minimum) on a daily basis. They will strengthen the support system for bone weight. If you can afford Cosequin DS, buy it. It's probably the best available form of gluco- samine, chondroitin on the market. Many athletes and sport injury victims use the product in preference to human grade equivalents. Calcium is going to be a very controversial subject. Don't overdo it. Just a little, when needed. Bob-O also mentioned the positive results of chew toys. Find the hardest rawhides available---not so easy. Have your puppy lay down beside you as he chews. Cut off any piece that looks really soft, before he swallows it. I actually keep my meat shears or scissors next to me watching him. It's great exercise for the jaw and ear muscles, and I am comfortable with him having the rawhide. Good luck, L

I am a big fan of unflavoured joghurt. It is easy for any puppy to digest, and helps improve the health of the lower intestinal tract. As far as milk is concerned, cow's milk is only good for calves. Goat's milk is much closer to the dam's milk and is much more digestible. However, it is quite rich. As some others have said, milk (of any type) can make loose stools. That is the good thing about the unflavoured joghurt, as it is already partially digested before it is served to the puppy. Bob-O

I also give my puppy goats milk once a day and he does not have loose stools. I'm sorry but thought i had mentioned it before. Should i still try giving him the yogurt? As for his food he gets fed royal canin maxi junior. Is this ok? The weather here is really hot so I guess that plays a role with regard to his ear. Melissa good luck with your puppy's ears. I know the feeling.

Maverick13, the joghurt will not harm the puppy, and will help the lower bowel as the digestive process is already begun. As far as I am concerned your food of choice is fine. Eventually, there should be no need to supplement his food with any type of milk product. As I and others have said before, pieces of RAW chicken necks are an excellent supplement for natural calcium at any age, and promote good chewing. Hot weather will make all puppies a bit lazy. Sometimes you even have a puppy who is lazy in regards to his ears. Long, thick ears are much more difficult to raise when compared to short, thick ears. I know that we all like for them to go up naturally and stay up before twelve (12) weeks of age, but occassionaly a puppy with large ears needs a bit of help. I have a file that I can send to any of you that you can print and use to cut forming templates from a paper towel roll or toilet paper roll core. This template is glued in place and helps to keep the ear in an erect and correct shape while the cartilage and muscles are becoming stronger. I have one (1) four-year-old male who has tremendous ears. I am surprised that he never had any problems as they are long and very thick, but they stood quickly and are picture-perfect. I have other dogs where I had to brace one (1) ear in order to correct its shape to conform to the other ear. In my opinion, it has a lot to do with their favourite side on that they sleep. The "sunny side" seems to be the one that stands first and more firm. But, that is nothing scientific, just an observation. Good Luck, Bob-O

Ears go up ears go down. I have a litter that is 8 weeks and all are up but one. Not worried. Also on some days I will see one that was up flopped down and the next day both will be back up. At this stage would not really worry about it. As far as not letting the other dog play with it. That is a personal descion. I have always let the puppies play with the older dogs, even puppies I have kept and never had a problem with the ears, could an injury happen, of course anything is possible. Just never had it happen to me.

Well, Ben's stools were fine today and he's feeling great. I will give him a little goat's milk and plain yogurt sometimes. I also give him steak treats once a week. Today, I will try to find some chicken necks (ew). Thanks for the advice! Melissa

At how many weeks should the ears have stood up?

K9 Solutions Centre, some stand as early as five (5) weeks. But that is rare, maybe one (1) puppy per litter. Most start rising at seven (7) weeks and continue until about nine (9) to ten (10) weeks of age. I don't become excited unless more than twelve (12) weeks have passed and the ears have not stood for any length of time, or one (1) stands very well and the other leans in or out a bit too much. I advise clients that if the ears have not stood by themselves at sixteen (16) weeks of age, then they must be braced. Even during teething, the braces will help. It is usually the case that a weak ear(s) can be corrected until the puppy reaches twenty-four (24) months of age. Past this end, further correction is usually not successful. Regards, Bob-O