How to Tape Boston Terrier Ears

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Boston Terriers have signature perky ears, yet some of them have floppy ones. If you don’t know how to tape Boston Terrier ears, I’m sharing all the things you need to know so that you can strengthen your dog’s ear cartilage and keep those ears erect.

How to Tape Boston Terrier Ears

Getting dog ears to erect is like muscle training. Using a Medipore is the easiest way to tape Boston Terrier ears as the material sticks the longest and doesn’t irritate the ears. Another option is to use:

Graphic image of a Boston Terrier with a text describing the various ways to tape Boston Terrier ears
  • Zonas tape
  • Molefoam
  • Rollers, for heavy-duty support

Taping is a method of encouraging a dog’s ears to remain upright and strengthen the cartilage until the ears can stand up on their own. The goal is to offer some kind of support and let the body do the rest. 

Ear Taping Methods

Proper tape placement is essential in ensuring you’re giving the right amount of support for the ear cartilage. Additionally, don’t use electrical or duct tape as these kinds of tape are too sticky and can damage your pet’s ears. 

The first method you can try is the vertical ear taping, which requires you to place the tape inside the dog’s ears in a vertical manner. In this way, you or your pet are less likely to pull out hair. Aside from being the easiest method, it also makes the tape stick the longest. 

On the other hand, the horizontal ear taping means putting the tape horizontally around the ears’ natural breaking point. This is only ideal for small dogs as it can sometimes be irritating for large ears. 

Taping Boston Terrier Ears Using Medipore 

A Medipore is a breathable cloth tape used for securing wound dressings. You can also use this for taping Boston Terrier ears as it has good adhesiveness and water-resistant properties. The tape is gentle so you won’t have to worry about your pet suffering from skin irritation.

Boston Terrier
  1. Trim Excess Hair: Use a hair clipper, mustache trimmer, or blunt-ended scissors to cut away excess hair on the inside of the ear. Do this also around the ear where you would place the tape.
  2. Clean the Ears: Clean the insides of the ears using warm water and mild ear cleaner designed for dogs. Soap is a good alternative if you don’t have an ear cleaner. Avoid using alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or vinegar, which usually helps to clean materials that can be found in kitchens or reconstructing like wood furniture, as these can result in an inflamed ear canal.
  3. Let the Ears Dry: Wait for a few minutes for the ears to dry. You can also use a clean cloth to wipe excess water. 
  4. Cut the Tape: Cut three segments of the Medipore tape and place them on top of one another, creating a three-layer thick tape. Use your fingers to flatten the tape, especially at the ears’ breaking point. 
  5. Put the Tape: Depending on what you think fits, you can place the tape on the ears either horizontally or vertically. Cut the corners of the tape until it fits the shape of the ears better. 

Taping Boston Terrier Ears Using Zonas Tape

Zonas Tape is a form of athletic tape perfect for cartilage support. Its adhesiveness enables you to place the tape effortlessly. The tape utilizes cotton backcloth to allow moisture to escape, ensuring your dog’s ears remain bacteria-free. 

Erect Boston Terrier ears with tape
  1. Prepare Your Dog’s Ears: Similar to the first procedure, make sure to trim excess hair and clean your dog’s ears to remove skin oil. 
  2. Cut the Tape: Choose the length you think would work best on your dog’s ears. You can also modify the width by creating two to three layers of thickness. 
  3. Place the Tape: If you would use the horizontal method, make sure to wrap it around the ears securely. If you prefer the vertical approach, press it firmly against the inside of the ears.

Taping Boston Terrier Ears Using Molefoam

Molefoam is a thick cushioning pad people normally use for bunions, calluses, and sensitive heels. You can also use this to erect your dog’s ears as the foam padding provides support and protection. 

Molefoam is a great option if you’re taping stubborn or heavy dog ears. Since it has excellent adhesiveness, this is also suitable for long periods of taping. 

  1. Clean Your Dog’s Ears: Make sure to cut excess hair and then clean the ears using warm water and ear cleaner or soap. Wait for the ears to dry. 
  2. Cut the Molefoam: Cut a piece of Molefoam depending on the length necessary for your dog’s ears. 
  3. Use an Ear Cement: An ear cement is a safe and non-toxic way of sticking Molefoam to a dog’s ears. You can get an ear cement from a vet clinic or online shop. 
  4. Place the Molefoam: Apply ear cement to stick the Molefoam into the dog’s ears. Press firmly until it follows the ears’ shape. Some Boston Terriers have a chemical reaction to ear cement, so it would be best if you have a liquid remover on hand. 

Taping Boston Terrier Ears Using a Roller and Surgical Tape

If you think a tape alone is not enough, you can reinforce it using foam rollers. The trick here is to provide sturdy support to keep the ears in an upright position.

  1. Prepare Foam Roller: Remove the plastic rod or clip from the middle of the roller. You can use foam pipe insulation if you don’t have a roller. To stabilize the roller, insert an unsharpened pencil about an inch into the roller’s opening. Put glue about three-fourths around the roller’s circumference. 
  2. Place the Roller: Position the foam roller inside your dog’s ears fairly deep or near the flap ear’s bottom half. Check if there are two fingers’ worth of space between your pet’s head and bottom of the roller. Ensure proper placement so that you won’t block your dog’s ear canal. 
  3. Put a Tape: Wrap your dog’s ears around the roller. Put a surgical tape at the top of the ear and work your way down in circular motion. Apply firm pressure while taping. Remove the pencil in an upward motion before you finish taping the ears. 
  4. Stabilize the Ears: Put a popsicle stick behind the top of both ears. Use tape to secure the sticks so that you can form a bridge between the ears and keep them upright. Be sure not to wrap too tight or else you may block blood circulation. 

Aftercare Tips

No matter how irresistible your dog’s ears appear, try not to touch the ears too much to prevent damage. Likewise, avoid other dogs from licking or chewing your pet’s ears. Neglect may cause your pet to suffer from inner ear infections

After a few days, the tape may lose stickiness because of your Boston Terrier’s natural oils. Make sure to remove the tape and clean the ears before placing new ones. 

Boston Terrier with erect ears looking straight at the camera

How Long to Keep the Tape On

Regardless of the method you use, it’s advisable to keep the tape 24 hours a day until the ears are strong enough to stand on their own. Moreover, keep the ears taped for at least 14 days. 

If you start early, it may only take three to four months for the ears to become perky. However, if it took you four months before doing the process, it may take longer for the ears to perk up or not at all.

Right Time to Tape Boston Terrier Ears

You can begin taping as early as five weeks, especially if you notice that the ears appear large or heavy. If you waited for the ears to erect naturally and failed to do so, it is still safe to tape them by the time they reach four months. 

Do Boston Terrier Ears Naturally Stand Up?

A Boston Terrier puppy’s ears perk up naturally as it ages. Some Boston Terriers could have erect ears as early as five to eight weeks of age, while others take as long as five months. 

Reasons Why a Boston Terrier Gets Floppy Ears

While most puppies are born with floppy ears, Boston Terriers are among those breeds with naturally perky ears. Puppies may have ears that flop over at the breaking point or turn down at the tip. 

A dog’s pinna affects how floppy dog ears become. Since it consists of cartilage, its size and weight can cause ears to drop low. If the pinna isn’t heavy, it’s possible that there’s an injury to the muscles holding the ears. 

In some cases, dogs at the teething stage have ears that curl backward. This phase usually lasts for up to four months. After that, the ears may return to a normal, straight look. 

Benefits of Taping Boston Terrier Ears

Erect ears are standard for breeders as they make dogs appear more alert and strong. However, learning how to tape Boston Terrier ears is also beneficial to your pet’s health. 

Upright ears minimize the risk of ear infection as they allow as much air to flow to the ear. Boston Terriers with floppy ears tend to trap moisture in the ear canal, making the ears a breeding ground for bacteria and yeast, which can ultimately lead to infection.

Boston Terrier Dogs 101: Boston Terrier Facts and Information

Final Words 

There are a number of ways you can do to make Boston Terrier ears perky. As long as you do it correctly, you can make their ears behave, and even protect them for infections. 

Leave a Comment