How can I get my puppy to let me 'flush' out his ears?

Question

I have tried so much training with him. I can barely get a few drops in his ear. He just squirms away every time. I've tried holding him down, giving him treats, positive reinforcement, everything. Nothing works as soon as I try to put something in his ear. Help!

Answer 1

Hmmm, I'm not sure how large the dog is, my dog is pretty good about it (he doesn't like it but puts up with it) I don't show him the bottle of ear wash. I grab him first and start scratching under his ear (dogs love that)... they quickly squirt in there... one squirted I quickly rub it inside so it get's in deep. This way when he shakes afterward it did it's job.

If that won't work I would go out a buy a pinch collar, for this sole purpose. You put it on the dog, and as soon as he squirms away you pull the collar and say "No!".

They learn REAL fast to do what you say with a pinch collar on. They have them at all pet stores. It looks like a chain choke collar only with fangs on it. I bought one to use to brush my Lhasa with. He was the tasmanian devil any time I tried to brush him.

Two pulls on the pinch collar and he behaved throughout the whole grooming process.

After that I used it for the next 5 groomings, one little pull was all I needed.

After that never needed it again.

Good Luck

Answer 2

This has to be one of the most difficult tasks for an owner. But why are you flushing the ears? Most young dogs do just fine without any outside help. Does he have ear mites? What are you using? Did you get something from a vet or are you winging it? Flop eared dogs have the hardest time keeping clean and dry ears, so you need to check them more often. Dogs who are in water, be it the ocean, lake or pool water need to have their ears lifted and gently dried with a soft, thin cloth. The cheap wash cloths they sell in bundles work well. As with your own ears, do not insert anything, even q-tips into the ears. You can cause a puncture and serious pain. Use the cloth wrapped around your finger. If the dog has a foul smell and/or black wax in it's ears you need to get to your vet. If deep cleaning is needed, let a pro do it. For routine cleaning, there is a product in a plastic squeeze bottle that you squirt in the dog's ear canal, massage the side of the dog's head near the back of the ear and then gently wipe the excess out. If the dog is small you can wrap it snuggly, but not too tight, in a beach towel or something similar. The dog will be frightened and may try to bite. If you have that problem, a piece of gauze bandage wrapped snuggly around the muzzle and tied works. Be careful not to block the dogs breathing. That is his nose as well as his mouth you are tying shut. Sit on a wide chair or sofa or the floor and take the dog under one arm, use that hand to lift the ears and squirt the medicine in. Massage and wipe excess, untie muzzle, pet dog to calm it and then release. If you still have problems, try your vet. But if the ear problem is not serious, you shouldn't try to do anything about it. Nature takes care of our little friends most of the time. And you well meaning but inept efforts can injure the ear, cause horrible pain and make the dog afraid of you. It sounds like maybe you have already spooked him.

Answer 3

Just to let you know there has been a lot of discussion about this topic on the forum that I am an active member. I have a cocker spaniel, and they have long ears that are prone to infections. We've used medications and other things to clean our dog's ears. There are a few important things to keep in mind:

1) Make sure whatever you are squirting into your dog's ears is warm/room temperature not hot.
2) I often soak cotton balls in the solution, place them into dog's ear and squeeze once the cotton ball is inside inside
3) Have plenty of treats and most importantly act like you know what you are doing. Your dog will continue test you, be firm, speak in deep and calm voice

This is a breeder's website for cocker spaniel, but there is a wonderful cocker forum that I learned from. They also have a miracle ear solution formula posted on their site:

http://zimfamilycockers.com/EarCleaner.html

Answer 4

Try giving him really really good treats during and after the ear cleaning. Give a bit of hot dog or turkey or something he would die for! It will help. It will take a few more times, but it will work!

Answer 5

None of them like it, but try talking softly to him while you're doing it, and massaging it into his ear as you drop it in. I found that was the only thing that worked with my cocker spaniel.

Answer 6

hahah i have the same problem!!! What I find works best is a squeaky toy, a determined husband and patience!!

Answer 7

distract them put them in