Don't use the indirect object notation and you won't have to worry about it. I'm don't know where you got these examples, but it sounds like you need to get a differnt book (perhaps one listed in the perlbook man page).

my $object = Class->new( ...arguments... );
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In your case, it sounds like you want your third example.

my $object = Doggie->new( Tail =>'short', Ears =>'long' );
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