posted 05-17-2003 11:05 AM         

* Ear Cleaning Solution or Alcohol

* Ear Powder (Optional)

First, get your dog in a position where it won't be able to move around a lot. It would be good to get someone to help you, but unless it's a huge dog, you can probably manage it yourself. Look in your dogs ears. Are they dirty? Is there build-up? Or are they squeaky clean? Most likely they'll be dirty, so the next step varies, depending on what kind of dog you have.

If you have a dog that doesn't shed much (Schnauzers, Shih Tzus, Malteses Westies, etc.), or you see a lot of unnecessary hair blocking the dogs ear canal, you need to pull it out. Most pet supply stores carry a special powder that you put in the dogs ear before plucking. The powder helps make it easier to pull out the hair. So take your powder, pour a little bit in the dog's ear, and rub it around. Then use quick, swift motions and pluck as much of the hair out as you can. There is no need to go very far down the canal, just far enough so you can see in the ear better. This may be a bit painful for the dog, so it may squirm a little. Just hold on to it tight and finish as quickly as possible. The sooner you're done, the sooner your dog will be comfortable.

If your dog doesn't need ear plucking, or you've already finished pulling out the hair, the next step is to clean out the ear. Take the cleaning solution or alcohol and thoroughly wet a gauze. After that, take your free hand and gently swab out the residue in the dogs ear with the gauze. Keep doing this as necessary until all dirt and build-up is freed from the dog's ear. Use Q-Tips for hard to reach, or stubborn places, but use extreme caution. Dogs have very sensitive ears, just as, or even more than, humans. Repeat with the other ear.

Clean your dog's ears about once a week, or whenever you notice them getting dirty. But if it has floppy ears, check on them about three times a week. Also, make sure to notice if your dog is scratching its ears or shaking its head a lot. If it does, it may have ear mites, so consult a vet. And, when cleaning the ears, you notice an odor or funny-looking and/or funny-colored discharge, see your vet. Dogs can't talk, so they can't tell you when their ears are infected!