TAIL-BANDING at SKYLOCKE

The following pictures and comments are intended ONLY to clarify how
banding of Doberman puppy tails are done HERE.....

This page or procedure is NOT intended to put down ANYone else's methods or beliefs.

I have been asked NUMEROUS times how the banding is done,
because people have seen the end results of our finished Doberman tails and have asked how we do it.

On this page, we will "describe" in pictures how it's done and will show the results as the actual banding progress.

Please Note: Please don't send me your "animal cruelty" mail..... This procedure works for us.....it may or may not work for you.... But Be Advised : We are not responsible for any mistakes you may make with your own puppies. I want this 100% understood. We can show you how we do it with our Dobermans....we can "suggest", but we cannot guarantee that it will work for you and your babies. • • • • ***** NOTE: You may also find this "Tailbanding" article in part, and other VERY important and interesting information on the DPCA Breeders Education Site (look under Breeding & Genetics) *****

Banding of Doberman Puppy Tails

This is an ELASTRATOR tool.
(Available at almost any feed store.)

It's primary use is to DOCK lambs and to CASTRATE young farm animals
by placing the rubber ring over their tails or testicles while they are still very immature.

The correct size rubber ring for DOBERMAN tails is the light green one
.....also normally found at any feed store that carries the Elastrator.

Doberman puppy tails are usually done at about day 5-8, depending on the size of the tail itself.
The tail must be big enough for the rubber ring to do the job for which it was intended,
and yet the tails cannot be over-large, or the pressure will be uncomfortable for the puppy.

We prefer to NOT have any discomfort at all .

We've found that if the ring fits snuggly between the end joints of our little finger, it's usually the right tail size.
(We wear a size 7 on our ring finger, so that will give you a rough idea of the size of our little finger.)
However, each puppy's tail can be a different dimension, so it's imperative that you
don't get into a big rush to do the WHOLE litter at once if the tails are different sizes on different puppies.

As you can see in the photos above, the little rubber "donut" shaped ring is placed over the prongs on the tool
and then the tool is squeezed to open the prongs, spreading the rubber ring open.
This opened area is slipped up over the puppy's tail while at the same time,
the skin on the tail is slightly pulled back toward the body.
The ring is placed just inside the rust color and then
the tool is gently allowed to close the ring over the tail.
The tool is then pulled away and the ring easily "rolls" into the space between the joints in the tail.

All the puppy feels if this is done properly is a slight momentary amount of pressure on his tail.
The blood supply to the end of the tail is immediately cut off and the tail begins to shrink and waste away.
Our tails usually begin to drop off anywhere from day three to day five from banding day.
The black puppy below lost her tail on day three after banding.
The rest were within a day of her. This is typical if done at the correct age.

Correctly placed tail band......day 7 after birth.
See the size of the tail in comparison to the size of the little finger joints?

Day after banding....no discomfort at all....
Tails are beginning to droop

Tail dropped off on day 10 from birth, day 4 after banding

This photo is JUST after it came off.

 

At this point, you generously apply some Neosporin and some antibiotic/antiseptic powder.
There is no feeling in the spot on the end of the tail......the pup is oblivious to it. (And so is Mom)
The Neosporin wards off any possible infection and
the powder begins the drying and shrinking process.

Note:
One breeder told me she used Silver Water Gel and found it to be very effective - another uses Wonder Dust

Photo of how the tails appear when they fall off.
(If you're squeamish, don't click on the photo link)

The tail tip is SHRINKING ALREADY, just 3 hours after scab has been removed.
See Below information:

**Important**

A domed-shape scab will form within a day or so.
This must be removed once it begins to pull away from the edge of the tail tip
(no feeling to the puppy)

Once removed, by just "peeling" it away,
it will leave the appearance of a raw area.

Once this initial dome-shaped scab is removed,
the tail will instantly begin to heal and close up at the tip.

If you neglect to remove this first scab, odds are you will NOT get a nice clean tail.
What you WILL possibly get is a gooey mess under the scab
and the tip's REFUSAL to heal properly or quickly.

If your timing is not right or removal is not correct, you may also get a small "scar bud" on the
tip of your finished tail..... this looks somewhat like a wart.
It can be easily removed at cropping time,
but if you remove the scab properly and THOROUGHLY, you won't get the scar bud.
Trust me.....remove that scab.

Same Puppy - 11 days after the initial banding was done.
First scab has been removed,
second is shrinking and drawing the hair and skin into a
tiny dot on the end of the tail.

If you look closely, you will see a teensie little depression in the
center of the tip of the tail.
This is where everything is being drawn toward.

The end result is an attractive,
"muffin-shaped" tail......not a pointed, or bald and ugly one.

 

Left shows 7 from the litter.
(The little black girl is at 11 o'clock - red collar)

Shown here, in all three photos,

the tails are 30 days after birth.

Healing nicely. . . . even though all tails

are still not completely covered over.

Banded tails do not cover as quickly as docking,

but it's just so much easier on both puppy and breeder.

It's actually a very short time in the life of a puppy.

By cropping time, the tails will look quite nice.

Any "cosmetics" can be done by your competent vet at cropping.

 

NO pain.....NO stress....NO Mom worrying stitches or glue....NO upset of any kind.

THIS IS WHY WE BAND AT SKYLOCKE.

It's not for everyone....and if it's done improperly, it can damage the pup.
And you can get ugly tails in various lengths......

So... if you truly want to band your babies, do it carefully.....
and remember:
Too long is better than too short. • Long can be fixed.

Personal Comment:

~~~IMPORTANT: This method may not work correctly with other or all docked breeds. We have used it only with our Dobermans . I have had inquiries regarding Cockers, English Bulldogs, Spaniels, Toys and various other breeds. I always suggest theyconsult their breeder prior to doing any banding of tails.~~~

I have seen a variety of Doberman tails in my life
....some docked by a vet, some at home
....some banded during the very first few days of life.

I have to say that the worst ones were the ones vet-docked and banded too early.
I've known breeders to wind elastic (rubber) bands around the tails of puppies at 1-2 days old.
They ended up with really sad looking tails that were pointed and ugly. (Argh)
I've also seen vet-docked tails that were seriously ugly and bald. (Ugh)
I've also seen tails banded with Orthodonic Elastic bands. If these bands are the correct size and pressure,
AND if they are applied correctly and at the right time, they can work as nicely as the Elastrator and rubber rings.

Home, breeder-docked tails seem to be the nicest of the docked ones;
Home, breeder-banded tails done properly are the best of the banded ones.

As I said above.....any necessary tail cosmetics can be taken care of easily at cropping time
.....IF the tail is left long enough.

Just my personal thoughts. • ~~ Judy Pritchard, Skylocke Dobermans

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