You only have to look around you to see the different types of ears that dogs can have. Fully erect, half-folded, drooping, long, rose-shaped, etc., regardless of aesthetics, all of them fulfill an important function for dogs. For this reason, any manipulation that can be carried out on them is going to be controversial.
If you're wondering how to lower your dog's ears, in this article on our site we explain why do not do it.
Dog Ear Functions
Dogs can't talk, but they can communicate very effectively. To do this, they use their different vocalizations, smells, gestures, positions and different movements of their tail or, in this case, their ears. In addition, dogs have highly developed hearing and are capable of orienting their auditory pavilion towards the origin of the sound they perceive in order to capture it more efficiently. The ears also offer protection to the ear canals, for example, by preventing the entry of foreign bodies.
A dog deprived of the natural mobility of its ears will suffer from various problems, such as poor communication with its peers Therefore, in no case it is recommended to intervene in the ears so that they modify a position that they have adopted naturally. Of course, unless this change is caused by a he alth problem. For example, a dog with an otohematoma will pull its ear down. In this case, you do have to go to the vet and intervene.
Although some caregivers seek to lower their dog's ears or, on the contrary, how to make them stand up, from the postulates of responsible ownership we cannot agree to any modification without medical justification, regardless of the breed to which the specimen belongs.
Why lower a dog's ears?
In general, people who ask how to lower a dog's ears do so motivated by the desire that they adopt the position or shape that corresponds to the ideal image they have made of their dog. dog for personal taste or for belonging to a certain breed whose standard sets a type of ear.
Therefore, they are motivations guided by an exclusively aesthetic issue, completely unrelated to the dog's interest. This one absolutely does not care how his ears look. On the other hand, neither the aesthetics nor the taste of each person are sufficient medical justification to intervene in a dog. And there is no other reason.
Not recommended practices to lower the dog's ears
Despite the fact that it is not advisable to manipulate a dog's ears to alter their natural shape, many are the people who, due to ignorance of their importance, decide to look for options to lower them, totally inadvisable options such as these:
Dog Ear Glue
Unfortunately, the well-being of the dog is not enough reason to inhibit those who are determined to find a way to lower their dog's ears. Thus, home remedies proliferate without any basis and with a high risk of causing damage, in addition to the damage that we have already pointed out, such as hindering communication. Bandages, massages, supplements, etc., are among the apparent solutions.
But there are also some products from reputable manufacturers that promise to lower dogs' ears easily and without complications. Canine ear glue is one of them. It is applied by shaving the areas to be glued and putting a small amount with a stick. It is pressed for a few seconds to fix both parts and the ear is left attached like this even for several months so that, after this time, it is in the desired position. The manufacturer itself only recommends it for puppies.
Although it is a substance suitable for dog skin, Its use is not as simple or harmless as it appears. The puppy will tend to scratch to free its ears, causing them to come off or even injure itself. To avoid this, they recommend keeping the puppy with an Elizabethan collar on, at least at first. On the other hand, it is not always easy to remove and, in the attempt, injuries such as wounds or irritations may occurConsidering all these drawbacks and, above all, the fact that there is no justification for putting a puppy through this experience, we advise against its use.
Self-adhesive dog earmuff
Another of the products marketed to modify the position of the ears is the self-adhesive earmuff for canine ears. In this case, its function is to keep the ears erect in those dogs that do not finish raising them completely or not in the way that their caregiver wants. Although they promise success and simplicity, the truth is that you have to keep the dog under control so that they can hold on. For example, it is recommended to prevent interactions with other animals to prevent them from being removed. Denying play and normal relationships with other dogs and other species without just cause becomes torture for a puppy
Surgery
Finally, veterinarians can perform surgery to modify a dog's ears. Of course, they require anesthesia and postoperative care that the dog must undergo. It is a way of putting it at risk, since complications can arise in any operation, in this case, we insist, without any need.
Is it ethical to handle the dog's ears?
Absolutely not. Although it has been traditional to perform ear cropping, as well as tail amputations, in some breeds under different pretexts, the truth is that there is no scientific evidence to justify such manipulation. On the contrary, it is not only harmful to the dog, but also Injuries, discomfort, discomfort, pain, medications or anesthetic risks Unjustifiable causes more and more veterinarians to refuse to perform this type of intervention because they are not considered ethical. In fact, ear docking and tail docking is being banned in more and more countries. For more information, do not hesitate to consult this other article: "Why is it bad to cut the tail and ears of dogs?".
On the other hand, for all those with the intention of adjusting their dog to a standard in order to breed and sell the puppies, it could even constitute fraud by trying to hide the true anatomy of the dog with desire to obtain benefits. Therefore, accept your dog just as he isbecause that's how he is unique
