Tips To Make Ear Cleaning Easier

[Doodle Grooming]

My doodle hates having her ears cleaned. Hates it with a passion! She has ever since the day we brought her home. Unfortunately since it is a necessary aspect of her maintenance, it has turned into a dreaded process. It involves both my husband and I, basically having to hold her down to get it done. Toys will not coax her, and although she is a very food driven dog, she is not the least bit enticed by any treats or snacks to get the job done.

Does anyone have any tips or ideas on how I can make the process easier for all of us? I would love to try and make it an easier experience!

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

I'm right there with you! Winnie doesn't mind her ears being handled, and will stand very still while the vet examines inside them. But, the second anything liquid is poured in them, she goes ballistic. It had gotten so bad that if she saw me pick up a bottle that even remotely looked like the ear solution, she would go running!

I tried everything I could to make it a "fun" experience, and she never fell for it! I finally just went and got some ear cleaning pads and use those instead. They are liquid soaked pads that you wrap around your finger. Granted, they don't get the cleaning solution all the way into the canal, but they are better than nothing. And, she has never had an infection, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

[Kathryn Clark]

Here's the perfect answer. I do this method and it's like a spa experience for our dog. Great video on how to clean a dog's ears. http://selfhelpdogtraining.com/wordpress/?p=244

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

Thanks- just tried it and it worked for us! Winnie saw me put the cleaning solution on the cotton ball and ran off with her tail down. But once she realized that I wasn't going to flood her ear, she was receptive to it. 

Hope it works for you, too, Jacqueline!

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

Thank you! She is looking a little more "prim and proper" these days after I groomed her (see my Scissor Cutting post)- not sure if it fits her personality yet!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

This is a great idea for making ear cleaning less tramatic.  I am going to try it.