This ear taping method is easy, fast and can be done by a single person. 

It requires only the simplest materials and will produce stunning results. 

It is important to remember that this method is to be used when the crop incision has healed and ears must be taken down every 5-7 days, and reposted to allow for cleaning and inspection that the ear is healing properly.

Prepare ALL tape and foam pieces while your puppy enjoys a run around the yard!

	Materials needed: Round foam insulation 3/4" recommended Water resistant first aid tape (Nexcare recommended) Adhesive (Skinbond recommended) Scissors
	Measure the dogs ears from the base of the skull to the tip of the ear. Add 1/2" and cut to length one piece of round foam.   Split the foam piece lengthwise with scissors.
	Cut a piece of adhesive tape three times the length of the foam piece.  Place the end of the tape on the foam at the top with most of the tape extending beyond the top of the foam.  Double back the tape and proceed to wrap the foam with the STICKY SIDE out.
	Continue until the entire foam piece is wrapped.  Fold over the ends to completely enclose the foam piece.  Don't worry if you have more tape at the end of the foam, just continue to wrap back up the foam piece ensuring that the sticky side remains out.
	Using the Skin Bond adhesive, lightly paint the CURVED side of the foam piece.  Allow this to almost dry before proceeding to the next step.  Most skin adhesives work better if tacky or almost dry.  When wet, they tend to slip around and just make a mess.  When positioned, this tacky glue should immediately hold in position within the ear, making the tape wrapping much easier.
	Nexcare tape is 1" wide.  Cut a strip approximately 24" long.  Tear this single strip in half creating two 1/2" long thin   pieces.  From one strip, cut a 6" piece.  From the second strip, cut another 6" piece and then cut the remainder in half.  You should now have one very long piece about  18" long, two 6" pieces and two 9" pieces.  Make sure you stick them on the edge of the table or area you are going to have the puppy sitting on, so they are handy to reach.
	With the glue side (rounded side) facing the ear, insert the foam piece deep into the ear.  Because this is soft foam, you can push it right to the bottom of the ear, without risking any damage.  The tip of the ear should not extend beyond the foam piece. This is why measuring is important.  If the tip is extending too long, it may curl instead of being held straight.  The skin bond adhesive should hold the foam piece in place for the next step.  If you have a squirming puppy, have a friend gently hold the pup while you work on each ear.  I will often sit on the couch with the pup wedged gently beside my leg and the arm of the couch, with its front feet resting on a cushion. This seems to be comfortable for the puppy and I can access the ears easily.
	The 9" piece of tape is used to secure the bottom of the foam.  Attach it to the base as far down as possible.  Wrap it around the lowest part of the ear, ensuring that the natural fold to the front of the ear (uncropped side) is gently folded and held in place.  I recommend taping from the outside of the ear around the front as this ensures that natural fold lays in the right place.  This fold helps hold the ears when erect.  Continue wrapping the tape around the base of the ear being sure that it is not tightly wrapped.  The glue on the tape will secure it, tension is not needed. Don't worry about a few puckers, just press them gently to ensure that the tape is stuck to the post, the hair on the ear and itself.
	Using the 6" piece, secure the tip of the ear to the post.  It is extremely important to remember that there should be no pressure. The adhesive holds things in place.  If too much pressure is put on this tape, you can cut off the very little blood supply to the tip and risk it falling off. Proceed with the other ear in the same manner.
	Using the longest remaining piece, attach one end to a posted ear and wrap around the opposing ear. Do not stretch this piece tightly.  It should be loose looking. Start at the front, and continue this long piece around the back, wrapping around the first ear and back on the front as far as the tape goes.  You now have a circle around the ears with the sticky side facing each other. Gently press the two sticky sides together.  As you make it stick to itself, you will see the slackness remove and the ears pull inward.  Make sure that the tape is fully stuck to itself, and that the skin on the skull is not stuck inbetween it.  A simple pull on the tape upward whilst gently holding the skin down, will pull it away.  Again it is important to remember that you do not want to tightly wrap any tap around the ear and risk cutting off the blood supply.

It is recommended that you use adhesive remover when taking these posts out weekly to limit the discomfort to the dog as well as eliminate any hair being ripped out. 

Depending on the crop and the background of the dog, be prepared to tape anywhere from 2-4 months. 

After taking ears down, simply use a bit of warm water to gently clean the ears. 

Let the puppy run around the house to let them dry, while you prepare the equipment for the next taping. 

Never let a puppy sleep without its posts.  Every day that they are not posted, can add a week to the posting time. 

If you are diligent in your taping, you will have a stunning set of ears that you can be proud of!