1 Doberman whose ears don't want to stand 

Cotton Balls (large size preferred) 
Rubbing Alcohol 

 ½ “ Backer Rod Foam (At most hardware stores, it comes in a packaged roll) 
Cloth Tape (Johnson & Johnson  Pourus Tape, One inch width best) 
Scissors 

A helper ... you will find it very difficult to do it without one.

Ear Bracing made Easy

Now that you have your new puppy, it is important you take proper care of the ears. Proper taping will ensure your puppy less stress and beautiful ears. It takes patience and persistence for success. Post your ears and leave them up eight days, then take down and leave down for a few hours but remember, NEVER overnight. Re-tape and leave them up again for eight days, then take down. When the ears stand, you can leave them down until they start to drop, then re-post as before and leave them another eight days. Smell the ears regularly for scent of infection. NEVER post infected ears. 

Step # 1: Ear Preparation 

Clean the inside and outside of your Doberman's ears well with the alcohol. This is an extremely important step. A clean ear is far less likely to get infected and the alcohol removes the oil from the skin and makes the tape stick better. (NEVER, EVER USE HYDROGEN PEROXIDE ... it leaves the ears wet and infection can occur.) Clean the ears first so that when you get ready to post them the ears are good and dry. 

Step # 2: Making the Posts. 

Backer Rod make’s the perfect posts for Doberman pups as you can measure out the right length and you don’t have anything hard stuck in the ear such as popsicle sticks or the cardboard from Tampax. Estimate the amount of backer rod needed to re-brace, cut and apply clean tape to your backer rod by wrapping in a spiral action (like a barber's pole) all the way down the post, overlapping each layer a little to insure the post is completely covered, sticky-side out.(you will need one for each ear)

Cut two long pieces of tape, about 8 inches in length, Tack them on the edge of the table.
Cut two short pieces of tape, about 1-1/2 inches in length, Tack them on the edge of the table.

Step # 3: Posting the Ears. 

By now the pup has figured out something is amiss. Go get him. (NEVER CALL HIM TO YOU) Calling a dog to you to do something it doesn't like will result in a dog who won't ever come when called) Notice the ear folds back a little in a natural fold. That is an important crease. It gives support to the ear. When you tape you need to be sure you tape this fold in place. Many try and wrap the ear forward to eliminate this fold. That is a mistake and will inhibit the progress of the ear standing. Pull the ear up tight and hold the ear taut place the post deep in the 'pocket' of the ear and stick the ear firmly against the tape. 

Holding the ear against the post to prevent it slipping, wrap one of the shorter pieces of tape around the top of the ear and post. DO NOT WRAP TOO TIGHTLY. It really isn't necessary to be tight, and doing so will cut off the blood circulation to the tip of the ear. Next grab one of the longer pieces of tape and place just above where the post disappears into the ear and wrap back over the top of the head around behind the ear and back toward the front. Encircling  the ear. Make sure the ear crease is maintained and make sure the tape is not so tight as to impair circulation. Repeat the process with the other ear. 

Step # 4: Bracing the Posted Ears.

Now that you have the ears posted you need to cut another piece of tape about 12-14 inches long. Wrap one end of the tape around the base of the ear (as you just did and continue over to the other ear wrapping around the side and back to the other ear (essentially making round rectangle) continue around both ears till tape is gone. Once you have reached the end of the tape you squeeze the middle (between the ears) sticky tape together this will draw the ears together. Gently, with your hands over the ears, squeeze the tape so it bonds to the ears.