Table of Contents
Standing Ears
In many cases french bulldog ears will stand up perfectly before 8 weeks and usually by three months.
However, while teething, they may fall. This is because nutrients being sent to the ears are now being diverted to the growing teeth, especially calcium.
Usually, after the teething process is done, the ears will stand.
In French bulldogs, ear tips tend to curl back during the teething phase.
Building Muscle
Chew toys help to build muscle and relieve stress, this can help to strengthen cartilage. Some of our favorite toys are ropes, Kong tires and wishbones by Benebone.
Nutrition
The best types of dog food contain all of the necessary nutrients to make ears stand up. We feed Royal Canin Small Puppy.
Glucosamine/Chondoitrin strengthen and rebuild cartilage. Unlike calcium, excess glucosamine won’t put your puppy’s health at risk.
Adding cottage cheese or yogurt to your pups meals can be beneficial in more ways than one.
Limit these as dogs aren’t designed to eat dairy products. They lack the enzyme that breaks down lactose. Dairy products in excess can lead to upset stomachs.
Cottage cheese – 1tsp per meal. This is a good source of calcium, protein, phosphorus, and vitamins
Yogurt- it is a great source of protein, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. It also contains probiotics that help a lot in keeping your pup’s digestive system healthy. You may add 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon to your pup’s food. Remember to give only small amounts at first to prevent digestive upset. Give your pup only plain yogurt to avoid unnecessary sugar intake.
Calcium:
Be careful with calcium as it can cause upset stomachs and worse case scenario, kidney failure in the case of an overdose.
Genetics
Larger ears take longer to stand and in my experience fat lazy pups take longer for ears to stand.
Trauma
Trauma can cause the ears to take longer to stand or permanently fall.
Things such as fighting with other dogs, ear infections, hematomas, and tugging or nipping ears during play.
Don’t allow other pets to chew or tug ears or other people to play with the ears. Rubbing the ears also damages the cartilage.
Some suggest that rubbing the bell of the ear increases blood flow.
Ear Posting Methods
Taping
This method is not recommended because it can damage your dog’s cartilage and natural ear shape.
It should only be your last option.
If this method is used, only use the right type of tape and don’t apply it for more than six hours at a time.
Moleskin Method
The moleskin posting method is my absolute go to for posting ears. Commonly used in doberman and Shepards.
- Scissors
- Athletic tape
- Skin tac – non latex glue
- Moleskin (yes, the foot padding)
- Unisolve adhesive remover
Per ear:
Cut 2 small rectangular pieces of moleskin equal in size. Combine the two pieces to create one stiff piece, a third piece may be beneficial for added strength (we have found a double layer to work just fine)
On the sticky side of the moleskin post, brush with skin tac.
Allow the skin tac to air dry until tacky – approx 30 seconds – 1 minute.
Apply the post to the ear where the ear folds.
Using a piece of athletic tape, secure the moleskin post to the ear. We wrap the whole ear with tape so its harder for the pups to rip it off each other.
The ear will still be flat but standing.
When the posts falls off or after 3 days, remove the posts.
Post Removal:
Apply Unisolve to a cotton ball or Qtip. Gently peel one end of the tape or post from the ear just enough to expose the skin, rub the tape/post with Unisovle to easily continue to remove from ears.
Clean out the ears, and clean off any skin tac residue with Unisolve.
Allow ears to dry and repost as needed.
Our Frenchie pups typically require 3 days or up to 2 weeks of posting in combination with Glucosamine supplement.
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