Why do dogs dislike having their ears cleaned?
Dogs’ ears are very sensitive. They have many nerve endings and their ear canals are long. Many dogs, especially those with floppy ears and dogs with allergies, are prone to developing uncomfortable inflammatory conditions of the ears. Dogs typically signal their discomfort by pawing at an ear or shaking their head.
Instead of waiting for signs that your dog is uncomfortable, examine your dog’s ears regularly so you can detect any unusual odor, discharge, or swelling early. Many dogs benefit from having their ears cleaned as part of their regular care routine. Your veterinarian can advise you whether routine home-cleaning is right for your dog and can then demonstrate and provide you with a safe product to use.
Another advantage to adding an ear check and gentle cleaning to your dog’s husbandry routine is that most dogs easily accept having their healthy ears handled if they do not experience any pain or discomfort.
If you create a positive association with ear handling, it will be easier to provide care if your dog develops an ear infection. If your dog’s first experience with an ear check and cleaning is during a painful infection, your dog may learn to anticipate pain any time you attempt to touch the ears.
How do I train my dog for ear handling?
Patience and gentleness are key. It can take a few days or months for a dog to accept ear handling while the ears are comfortable. Remember to stay within your dog’s comfort zone and watch for body language that shows stress:
- Wide eyes, especially if the whites are showing
- Stiff muscles
- Taking treats roughly or not at all
- Fidgeting or leaning away
- Snarling or snapping
It is helpful to establish a grooming station for this training. You may use a grooming table or an ottoman or even a low platform. You will know you are working at the proper pace if your dog eagerly trots over to the grooming station when you take out the ear-cleaning supplies. Consider beginning the first couple of training sessions when the dog is hungry (i.e., before they are fed). Food treats hold more appeal when a dog is hungry.
While staying in your dog’s comfort zone, gradually practice touching your dog’s head, ears, ear flaps, and ear canals, and wiping their ears with dry and wet cotton balls. As you progress, you can add some ear cleansing solution to the cotton.
"If your dog shows signs of stress, take a short break and restart at an easier level."
Sessions should be short at first and should begin with handling that your dog easily tolerates. If your dog easily accepts having the ear scratched, then scratch one or two times and deliver a delicious food treat. Repeat 2 or 3 more times, then end on a positive note. If your dog shows signs of stress, take a short break and restart at an easier level. Over time, you can lengthen the duration of the session and vary the number of handling maneuvers you practice before giving your dog a treat.
For some dogs, even a brief touch is too much. In that case, consider having a helper deliver a steady flow of treats while you do a brief touch, then stop the flow of treats when you stop touching. If your dog does not “guard” food toys, another option is to provide a lickable, food-filled toy such as a LickiMat® when you are doing some brief handling, then remove the toy when handling stops. The end of handling time “turns off” the treats.
Once your dog is comfortable with ear handling, weekly practice sessions are important so that ear handling becomes a normal, trusted part of everyday life.
How do I treat the ears when they are painful?
It is understandable that a dog might resist having a painful ear touched and treated. Do not reprimand your dog or force them to tolerate the treatment. If your dog struggles, snarls, or snaps, do not persist. Ask your veterinarian for some additional help. Sometimes, there are alternative treatment options that require less physical handling.
Another option may be to bring your dog to the veterinary office for some of the initial treatments, as a skilled nurse can efficiently accomplish an ear treatment that would be difficult to do at home. Your veterinarian may even give a light sedative to help your dog tolerate the procedure.
Finally, be sure to administer pain medications as prescribed. If your dog continues to show evidence of pain, tell your veterinarian. It is important to keep your dog as comfortable as possible until their ears heal.
How will my veterinarian treat my dog’s ears when they are painful?
If your dog’s ears are infected or inflamed, your veterinarian will likely recommend pain medication and calming before they examine the ears or begin treatment. For extremely infected or painful ears, general anesthesia is best practice. The veterinary team can then examine the entire ear canal and the sensitive ear drum, perform a thorough cleaning, collect any relevant samples for testing or cultures, and instill a first dose of ear medication.
Using sedation and anesthesia allows the veterinarian to safely and completely inspect and clean the ear without causing pain or fear, without the risk of injuring the ear if the dog moves, and without creating long-lasting negative memories about the veterinary visit.
Once the ears are cleaned and the medication begins to work, the ears become less painful. Home treatment is easier when the ear is more comfortable. In some cases, your veterinarian will prescribe pain control or anti-inflammatory medication to be used along with topical medications. They may also prescribe calming medicine to reduce your dog’s stress during home ear care. If the ears are particularly uncomfortable, oral medications may be given for a few days before starting the topical ear medication.
What should I do if my dog snarls or snaps when their ears are touched?
If a dog growls, snarls, or snaps when you attempt to handle their ears, they are likely experiencing fear and/or pain. You can change your dog’s emotions about ear handling using a desensitization and counterconditioning protocol. With this approach, you find a non-stressful starting point and then pair minimal, controlled exposures to ear handling with something your dog loves.
This connection between ear handling and treats teaches the dog that ear handling is not frightening and replaces the existing emotion of fear with one of pleasant anticipation or at least understanding and tolerance. Consult with a professional behavior consultant or trainer to accelerate this process, ensuring your dog becomes more accepting of ear care and does not develop increasing levels of fear or aggression.
It can be helpful to teach your dog to wear a basket muzzle. Once they are comfortable with the muzzle, you can safely help them learn to tolerate ear handling. In fact, it is a good idea to teach all dogs to wear a basket muzzle. In a health emergency, people and dogs can panic and even gentle dogs may attempt to bite if they experience unexpected pain.
What can I do if my dog runs away at the sight of ear medication?
If your dog shows signs of fear and avoidance, do not chase your dog or repeatedly attempt to administer drops. Your persistence could prompt a higher level of fear, along with a potentially aggressive response. Contact your veterinarian for guidance. Your veterinarian may offer alternative treatment or may prescribe additional medications to further reduce pain and anxiety. Once your dog’s ears have healed, consult a behavior professional familiar with behavior modification, including desensitization and counterconditioning and cooperative veterinary care techniques.
