She pins him to the floor and goes to town on his poor ears. She's not trying to eat his ears - she has never broken the skin - she just likes to gnaw on them. Wolfgang is very zen about it; he lets her chew, only letting out a little yelp if she accidentally chews too hard.
I have no idea how to get her to stop. We've got a nasty-smelling spray that we use to keep Stella from chewing the furniture but I can't really coat Wolfgang in it, can I?The reason I want her to stop is that it can't be good for Wolfgang to always be walking around with wet ears. Stella drools all over him when she chews and he ends up with sopping wet ears (inside and out.) I don't want him to end up with an ear infection.
this is my favourite picture of the pups because it looks like they're hugging
Nom nom nom ... that was a tasty ear
I think the only solution is to get a third, equally adorable puppy, and then to post even more photos of adorable dog-on-dog ear-chew action...yeah, that's the only way to make this stop: more adorable photos.
ReplyDeleteI've had dogs that do this and it's generally one of the more playful ways dogs establish dominance and really unless she is just drooling gallons into his ears, I wouldn't worry much about infection. In other words, I never experienced that as an issue so I have no idea how to tell you to stop it because I was never smart enough to worry about it, ha!!
ReplyDeleteThey really are super cute, makes me want a puppy. Because that is what I need, something ELSE to take care of, heh.
Theo's favourite thing is licking the insides of Calvin's ears for hours on end. Calvin is usually not impressed but can only fight it for so long. I'm waiting for the epic ear infection this is sure to bring on.
ReplyDeleteNo idea. Our cats regularly wrestle and we usually just pick sides and cheer for who we want to win. Sometimes money is exchanged.
ReplyDeleteAlso, your dogs are the cutest. But you already knew that.
So cute!! I got nothing for ya. I still wish I had one dog.
ReplyDeleteMy puppies do this - but they're not fixated on it. I think cleaning is something that animals do together - I've had dogs that wash our cats (don't ask...).
ReplyDeleteIf she's fixated, then I would intervene - and if you're concerned about things like ear infections definitely call your vet and ask if that's a possibility.
As far as dissuading Stella? When she goes over to go for the ear I would disagree with that. Say "off" or whatever your word for that is, and treat it just the same as her chewing anything else.
I'm just not sure that you really can stop this. You won't be there all the time, and they'll be together all the time - if it's not hurting Wolfgang the best thing to do might be offer a better substitute: have tasty rawhides and hard chew toys around that are better than Ear of Wolfgang.
Good luck!
I don't have two dogs, so I can't help you out. All I know is my Golden Retriever has an ear infection right now and it's no fun at all.
ReplyDeleteThat picture of Stella hugging Wolfgang is too freakin' cute!
I have this same problem with Andrew. Can't keep him off my ears. Let me know if you find a solution. I'm all ears... (heh...)
ReplyDeleteThat second picture looks a little S&M.
ReplyDeletePoor Wolfgang.
I wonder if it would work to put an Elizabethan collar on one of them until Stella re-directs her energy to something else? At the very least, it would make for some funny pictures...
ReplyDeleteYES! My parents have this problem with their two lhasas. Peanut is always chewing on Tulip's ears. My dad will say "stop it" if he is paying attention, but since Tulip doesn't seem to mind he hasn't really done anything about it. The one bad consequence of the chewing has been some matting of her ears. I used to groom dogs though, so I just keep her brushed/trimmed and it isn't a big deal.
ReplyDeletePoor Wolfgang and his soggy ears! I have no advice, but the pictures are super cute!
ReplyDeleteI've only had one dog, so I can offer no advice, unfortunately. However, I think the pictures are adorable! It's kinda cute that Stella likes to chomp on Wolfgang's ears. Makes me laugh. :)
ReplyDeleteOK (A) your dogs are farking adorable. I love their pictures! and (2) I forget how long you've had Wolfgang, but I wouldn't be surprised if this fixation of Stella's wore off at some point soon. My dogs paid a lot more attention to each other when we first brought the second dog home than they do now, 2+ years later. I don't know about infections though, so definitely ask your vet. It probably wouldn't be the worst idea to intervene at some point if it's never-ending but I'm inclined to let Wolfgang set his own limits with Stella.
ReplyDeleteAgain, SUPER CUTE! <3
While it's gross and probably not appetizing, it's actually a good thing. Typically it's a sign that Stella really likes Wolfgang and is bonding with him. There's little chance of there being an ear infection to develop from it. Don't discourage the licking, but just check to make sure Wolfgang's ears aren't red or inflamed (signs of infection). Be happy you have two adorable, loving pups! I'm jealous!
ReplyDeleteI say you make a big vat of jello and videotape it. Just a thought...
ReplyDeleteI've got nothin for ya! ADORABLE photos though.
ReplyDeletehaha aw that's sort of cute. but more funny than cute.
ReplyDeletemy cat chews on my dog... sorry i'm no help!
ReplyDeleteAw puppies!! Don't you just love it when (fake) sibling pups play??? I love it!
ReplyDeleteI have two mini schnauzers ad they chew on each other all the time. They don't limit themselves to ears. Spencer chews Morgan's "armpits" her sides, and her hind legs. You are right that this causes ear infections, but I have no idea how to get them to stop. Sorry!
ReplyDeleteI found this blog, started reading, and now I've read for so long, I've forgotten how I found it. Really, I can't remember.
ReplyDeleteAnyway. Your blog is funny, lovely, sad, all in a big mix of puppy pictures. It's great, I really enjoy it. You seem like a good person, and the fact that I got this impression from reading your posts, is a good compliment.
Peace, love, and soul.
you know, I really love your dogs, they are adorable.
ReplyDeletestormy (shih tzu) chews on chewy's (boxer) ears ALL OF THE TIME.
ReplyDeletewe can't get her to quit. if you find a solution, let me know. :)