Why Do Puppies’ Ears Stand Up?
Genetics are mostly responsible for whether a dog’s ear will stand up. Dogs that come from the more wolf-like breeds have inherited the wolf’s erect, alert ears.
Similarly, smaller dogs like Corgis or Chihuahuas have been bred to have straight ears, with droopy-eared individuals usually taken out of the breeding program.
Signs your Pup Could Develop Standing Ears
If you’re still unsure about whether or not your dog will have standing ears, there are other ways to check.
One is to see how they’re positioned on the head.
If they’re high on top of the head and relatively close together, there’s a good chance that they will stand up when your dog is older.
Also, see how they react when your pup is excited. If they perk up a bit, they’ll probably stay that way at some point.
If you have a puppy that belongs to a breed that’s known for having pointy ears, you have the opportunity to watch their ears develop over time.
As mentioned earlier, all puppies are born with soft and floppy ears. This is because they lack tough cartilage and strong ear muscles.
Typically, it takes several months for a puppy’s ears to stand up fully.
You may be able to feel their ears firming up after only a couple months of age.
Depending on your dog’s breed and genetics, it may take as much as six months to get to a point where they’re strong enough to stay up 24/7.
If they’re not standing up after seven months, they probably will never get to that point.
What breed of dogs ears stand up naturally?
Prick or upright ears are very common in dogs. Their main characteristics are that they are sharp, pointed and stand erect. They can be found in most of the Nordic breeds such as the Malamute here, the Siberian husky, the Samoyed and so forth.
The Secret To Training Puppy Ears To Stand Up Without Tape
My wife and I recently purchased our fourth German shepherd. Two have passed, and we have one who is 11 years old. Our previous puppies’ ears stood up at about two to three months, but our new addition turns four months tomorrow, and her ears still droop. We feed her a brand of puppy chow, she has had all her shots, and is otherwise healthy. Is this a normal progression, or do some dogs take longer to develop? — Bruce, Las Vegas, NV
A German shepherd puppy’s ears can take up to six months to stand erect, and generally occurs sometime after teething. You are still well within that time frame for it to happen naturally. Her ears may be a little further apart on her head compared to your other dogs, which may contribute to the slower progression. Too much play with other dogs and too much head petting by you and your family can also break down the cartilage some and keep the ears from standing erect.
For now, I wouldn’t worry too much, but I suggest visiting your veterinarian between her fifth and sixth month to discuss options. Your veterinarian may recommend taping her ears at this point to help things along. You can also add a teaspoon of cottage cheese or plain yogurt to her food daily to provide a little extra calcium, which helps in the formation of cartilage.
I have a one-year-old terrier mix who is very calm and sweet all day until bedtime. She comes to bed with us and immediately begins to scratch and paw at the bed covers. This behavior continues until I pick her up and calm her down. Finally, she will lie down and then sleep through the night. How can we make bedtime more relaxing for us all? — Nancy, Dix Hills, NY
This behavior is completely normal. Dogs often make a spot for themselves by pawing the ground and/or pulling and pushing nearby blankets and covers. And, it’s not unusual for them to do it for quite a while until they have their special space just right. Have you thought of adding a small blanket to your bed, so she has something to paw at rather than your covers?
If you think she is unnecessarily anxious, give her a little melatonin about an hour before bedtime. Your veterinarian can recommend a brand and dosage, but generally, one milligram is what’s recommended by Dr. Linda Aronson of Petshrink.com in Berlin, Massachusetts, who conducted research on dogs and melatonin.
While I wouldn’t worry too much about this behavior, you should be able to tell your dog to “stop” or “leave it,” depending on what you have taught her, and she should stop whatever she is doing and listen to you. Clap your hands or use a Pet Corrector (compressed air) to interrupt the behavior and then call her to you. Reinforce this training, so you can halt the behavior without having to pick her up. But remember, it’s normal for dogs to do paw at their beds.
I read the recent column about cats scratching furniture. My cats would never use scratching posts. They love and use the cardboard scratching boxes that sit on the floor. You can buy them at most cat supply places. I think it must be the feel of the cardboard and that they can sink their claws in further. — L. Weichbrodt, via email
I recently visited my son and daughter-in-law and watched as their cats clawed one of their expensive fabric barstools. They decided not to do anything about it since, they said, it kept their cats from clawing anything else in their house. The moral of this story is, every cat owner must determine what works for their cats, understanding that cat-scratching is a normal and healthy behavior necessary for sharpening their claws and marking their territories. The flat scratch boxes you recommend are a popular choice for many felines.
You suggested a few ways to find a pet sitter. Another way is to ask someone in your veterinarian’s office. This way you already know the people and have recourse, if anything happens. Many of the vet techs do this as a side job. — Barbara, Smithtown NY
That’s a great idea. Keep in mind, they often can only pet sit after working hours, so using them for daytime needs might not work..
Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to [email protected]. Please include your name, city, and state.
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