Keeping your dog’s ears clean is an important part of keeping your dog healthy and happy. When excess ear wax builds up in your dog’s ears, it creates an environment where bacteria and other organisms can thrive, which may lead to painful ear infections.http://www.natural-dog-health-remedies.com/cleaning-dog-ears.html

Some dog breed lines are genetically predisposed to excessive ear wax production, and dogs with long, floppy ears or hair that grows inside their ears are also more likely to have ear problems. Chronic, untreated ear infections can lead to permanent deafness, so it’s important to prevent excess ear wax buildup in your dog’s ears.http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-care-deafness.html

Cleaning your dog’s ears must be done carefully to avoid damaging the ear canals or ear drums. Dog’s ears are not structured quite the same as humans; their ear canals are L-shaped, and it’s common for ear wax to build up at the bend. Never use a cotton swab inside the dog’s ear canals or you may push the wax further down and create a plug.

You will need a solution designed for cleaning dogs’ears and some cotton balls, folded gauze, or a soft cotton cloth to wipe the solution away. You will most likely need a helper, too, unless your dog is very small, and even then it won’t hurt to have a third hand.

This can get messy, so put on some old clothes, grab a towel, and choose a location where you can clean your dogs ears and not worry about the cleaning solution and debris getting splattered about (because it will). http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/ClientED/dog_ears.aspx Please use this guide to learn how to clean excess wax from your dog’s ears.

Before you clean your dog’s ears, you want to be sure that they are basically healthy, even though they may be waxy or look dirty. The lining should be a healthy pink color and you should not see any redness, inflammation, parasites, discharges or a large amount of brown or black residue.http://www.raisingspot.com/health_care/cleaning_dog_ear.php

If your dog is constantly scratching his ears or rubbing his head along the ground, or has a foul odor emanating from his ear canals, consult a veterinarian before cleaning his ears. Your dog may have an ear infection which requires veterinary care. Your veterinarian may prescribe an oral antibiotic to treat the infection, and sedation may be required to clean the ears without causing your dog undue discomfort and stress.http://www.petplace.com/dogs/how-to-clean-your-dog-s-ears/page1.aspx

Chronic, recurrent ear infections may be a symptom of other medical conditions such as allergies or hypothryroidism that may require veterinary intervention. Treating the underlying condition often reduces or eliminates excess ear wax production. http://www.workingdogs.com/doc0079.htm

If your dog’s ear appear healthy enough to be cleaned without veterinary intervention, buy a product designed specifically for cleaning dogs’ ears. You can usually find ear cleaning solutions in the pet supply aisle of a department store or in a pet store. Otherwise, you can get one from your veterinarian's office. Ear cleaning solutions contain agents that dissolve ear wax, dry the ear canal, and change the pH of the ear canal to control the yeast and bacteria.http://www.workingdogs.com/doc0079.htm

Cleaning your dog's ears once a month (weekly if your dog plays in the water or in shrubby areas) will help prevent the build-up of wax, dirt, and debris in your dog's ear canals and lessen his risk of ear infections.http://www.raisingspot.com/health_care/cleaning_dog_ear.php

Most dogs don’t care to have their ears cleaned, although dogs who get used to having their ears cleaned regularly as puppies will usually accept ear care as part of their grooming sessions. If your dog is older and has seldom, or never, had his ears cleaned then you may be in for a bit of a struggle at first! Handle your dog as gently as you can while getting the job done, and over time he may become more cooperative.

To restrain a small dog you may simply wrap an old towel around his body so ihe can’t move. For medium-size and larger dogs, ask your helper to hold the dog and tilt his head to one side, so that the opening of the ear being treated is angled upward. If your dog wriggles too much, your helper may need to hold him down on his side. http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/ClientED/dog_ears.aspx

Be sure your helper is holding the dog securely, especially his head! Fold the ear flap back and dribble the cleaning solution in your dog’s ear; don’t give the bottle a hard squeeze or you may push the wax further down into the ear. Let the solution run down into the ear canal until it is full, or as the manufacturer recommends. (Be sure to read the manufacturer's directions for use before beginning, and follow them if they contradict this general how-to article).

Gently massage outside of the dog's ear, along the bottom where you feel a rigid tube (which is the ear canal). After about 20 seconds, you should begin to hear a squishy sound, which is the ear wax dissolving in the ear cleaning solution. http://www.callofthedog.com/cleaningdogears.php

Ask your helper to turn the dog’s head and repeat the process with the other ear. After massaging your dog's ears, hold him still for a few more minutes to give the cleaning solution time to dissolve the excess ear wax. Avoid letting him flap his ears too soon, if possible!

This step is best done outdoors, in the bathroom, or somewhere else you don’t mind making a mess (and don’t forget you’re supposed to be wearing old clothing)! After you have massaged the dog’s ears adequately, turn him loose and let him shake out the cleaning solution, ear wax, dirt and debris.http://www.workingdogs.com/doc0079.htm Once your dog has stopped shaking his head wildly, have your assistant hold him again while you wipe his ear flaps.

Wipe the hairless side of the ear, and with a twisiting motion use a cotton ball, a folded piece of gauze or a soft cotton cloth to remove the remaining oil and debris from the ear canal.http://www.workingdogs.com/doc0079.htm If your dog is being calm and cooperative, you may use a cotton swab to gently clean the folds around the opening of the ear canal, but NEVER stick the swab further down the ear than you can see. You might push the wax and debris further into the ear, scratch the delicate lining of the ear canal, or puncture your dog’s ear drum.http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/ClientED/dog_ears.aspx

Keeping your dog’s ears clean and dry will help reduce his risks of ear problems. Here are a few simple ways to keep your dog’s ears healthy:

Some dog breeds have hair in their ears which traps heat and moisture in the ear canal. Gently plucking the offending hairs is recommended to increase air circulation and reduce your dog's risk of ear problems.http://www.workingdogs.com/doc0079.htm

Clean your dog’s ears with an ear cleaning solution that contains drying agents after he’s had a bath or has been playing in the water, or if he has a history of ear infections.http://www.pug-puppy.com/dog-ear-care.html

When bathing your dog, don’t pour water over his head; wash it with a washcloth instead. If his head is especially dirty, pinch your dog’s ears shut or put cotton balls in his ears while pouring water over him.http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_Shampoo.php

Dog with long, floppy ears are more prone to ear infections that dogs whose ears stand up and allow more air circulation in the ear canal. Folding or tying your dog's floppy ears backwards can help keep the ear canals cooler and drier and discourage the growth of bacteria and other harmful organisms.http://www.workingdogs.com/doc0079.htm

Check your dog’s ears regularly for redness, inflammation, discharge or foul odors, and call the veterinarian at the first sign of trouble.http://www.pug-puppy.com/dog-ear-care.htmlWhen caught in the early stages, ear infections may be treated with oral antibiotics, but if the infection reaches the middle ear, surgery may be required. Early intervention will save your dog needless suffering and save you a large veterinary bill!