Ear chewing

[wireweiners]

I don't know if any one else has had this problem but my dachsies chew each others ears. I have tried the squirt bottle, bitter apple, some stuff called phooey, and scolding but nothing works. They might stop for a while but once my back is turned they are back at it. It seems to be a dominance thing as Pippin (intact alpha male) chews Wheeler's (younger intact male) ears, Wheeler and Buddy (older neutered male) chew each other's ears, Wheeler chews Rita's (intact female) ears, Katy's (catahoula female) and Button's (female pup) ears. Recently Whopper, Button's male littermate, has started chewing on Wheeler's ears. Wheeler has big raw spots on both his ears where they have been chewed plus they all go around with these slimey ears. They have a bazillion chew toys so that can't be it. Any suggestions? I'm afraid Wheeler is going to get his ears pierced and they don't allow the dogs to wear earrings at shows.

[sillysadie]

Hi wireweiners,


Nice to see you migrate over to the new board! Hope to see you often for some good chat on dachsies.

I am not sure about the ear chewing as I have no experience with mine doing this- just wanted to welcome you aboard.

Shelley

[Wienergal]

Wirewieners, is it chewing or licking that's going on here? Wouldn't the chew-ee holler a bit if its ears were being gnawed on?...

I only ask because there is constant ear-licking going on among the three wieners here, and just as you describe, it's the more dominant who's doing the licking. But no actual chewing.

I don't know--couldn't you convince the judge that those little pearl studs add to the overall good looks of the dog? http://dachsie.org/ubb/biggrin.gif

[wireweiners]

They are chewing. http://dachsie.org/ubb/biggrin.gif You'd think it would hurt but they don't holler. Wheeler just lays in a submissive position when Pippin is chewing on him. Wheeler is the only one with raw spots on his ears. Wire ears must be tougher than smooths (all that hair) http://dachsie.org/ubb/smile.gif. Wheeler is more of a diamond stud guy. More macho than pearls.

[Uschi]

My two large breed males are involved in ear-chewing, too. Though around here, the one who gets his ears chewed most is our #1 dog, Brendan. His fur is stuck together from Sebastian's puppy-slobber. (Even now his ears still look "wet" though Sebastian's been back in his crate for a while...) I'm not too concerned about it with these two because if Sebastian gets Brendan's ears too hard, Brendan growls, flips the pup over, and puts his entire mouth around Sebastian's neck. He never bites, but he HAS dragged the little one across the floor for a few feet. Neither dog seems worse for the wear so I think it's more of a game, though Sebastian might also be sizing Brendan up for a future attempt at becoming the dominant dog (he's nearing Brendan's size with each passing month...)

Unfortunately, with your crew, it sounds like someone's ears are getting hurt. When you say raw, do you mean bloody/scabby raw? If so, then I would definitely check with your vet. Perhaps your vet has a suggestion that's safe to help heal Wheeler's ears, but yet deter the other guys from gnawing on him. The only ohter sprays/deterrants I can think of probably wouldn't be safe on broken skin, as they'd likely burn or otherwise irritate the already-sore spots.

Is there a reason some of the males are still intact? If you're not planning on breeding them, then why not have them neutered? Though the medical benefits are debatable, it's a very rare dog I've met that is any worse off for being neutered. It might help ease some of the dominance issues.

Oh, wait, if they're show dogs, being intact is understandable. Beyond neutering and separating them, though, I don't know what to suggest. It strikes me as odd that the chewed-upon don't make a bigger fuss and defend themselves. I might be inclined to let them "fight" it out, or else separate them. Then again, mine are mutts and hardly show dogs. http://dachsie.org/ubb/smile.gif

[wireweiners]

I'm always telling Wheeler that if he would bite the heck out of Pippin he would leave him alone. But he just takes it. His ears have big bloody raw spots. It has to hurt. Maybe he's a masochist and likes it? http://dachsie.org/ubb/biggrin.gif I saw some new bitter stuff in a catalog that is supposed to last for days. I'm thinking of giving it a try. Don't know if neutering would help, I think the habit is too ingrained. I am thinking of having Wheeler neutered once he finishes. He has a litter brother that is a better dog from a conformation standpoint although Wheeler has more personality. Pippin is older, he has been having some anal gland problems. If he has to have them removed, I may go ahead and have him neutered for the health advantages. I was thinking about breeding him but at his age (10 1/2) I don't think it would be feasible. He's retired from conformation and neutered dogs can compete in field trials.

[This message has been edited by wireweiners (edited May 01, 2000).]

[Uschi]

Good luck in whatever you choose. I hope Pippin & Whopper give poor Wheeler a break and he gets a chance to heal well!

I just wanted to add, that now our little Ripley (17 mo. WH tweenie) is a target of the pup's ear-chewing. Maybe it's a Dachshund, thing, as she hasn't even YELPED http://dachsie.org/ubb/eek3.gif, and I know Sebastian has huge teeth and a powerful bite. (His mouth and teeth are so large, Ripley's entire head could fit into his mouth...) I wonder if Dachshunds have little-to-no feeling in their ears at all...? ?