How to Groom a Large Dog's Ears

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How to Groom a Large Dog's Ears

Medium

5 - 10 Minutes

1 Week

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Introduction

The Johnson family have two energetic, large dogs that both love water and swimming at the local watering hole where their family throws sticks for them to fetch. Unfortunately, the watering hole is not the cleanest place around, and soon both dogs soon have itchy, stinky ears, with overgrowths of bacteria and yeast from dirty water creating dampness in their ears and clinging to the excess ear hair in and around their ear canals!

Dogs can be very prone to fungal and bacterial ear infections, especially if their ears are not groomed properly, cleaned, dried and excess hair removed. Although all dogs are susceptible and require regular ear grooming, large dogs that are very active and often love water and swimming can be even more vulnerable, especially if they have floppy ears that trap moisture and have limited air flow to dry out wet, damp ears. With regular ear grooming, cleaning, and trimming the chances of the Johnsons' large dogs having future ear problems will decrease significantly.

Dog's Perspective

Your dog's ears contain hair in and around the ear canal that grows at the same rate as the rest of his hair. This long hair can trap moisture and result in uncomfortable and painful external ear infections, when bacteria or fungal organisms such as yeast take advantage of the low air flow and the warm moist environment in and around the ear canal to multiply.

Although your large dog may not love having his ears groomed, he certainly won't like having an ear infection, or the treatment required to resolve an ear infection. Convincing your big dog to get used to ear grooming will be much more pleasant for him in the long run than suffering from repeated infections. Incorporating ear grooming with bathing or regular grooming that your dog enjoys may make the experience more pleasant. Be sure to be gentle around your dog's sensitive ears so as not to cause him discomfort or injury. Working to gradually desensitize your large dog to having his ears handled is recommended so he is comfortable with ear grooming.

The Lie Down Method

Effective

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Scissors

Hemostat

Step

Position your dog

Lay a blanket or mat down on the floor so that your large dog is comfortable and have him lie down on the floor on his side with one ear facing up. Fold your dog's ear up so you can see his ear canal and surrounding under ear clearly.

Step

Use powder

Sprinkle plucking powder gently on the underside of the ear and on hair at entrance to the ear canal. Do not sprinkle powder down the ear canal.

Step

Pluck or trim ear hair

Take a pair of tweezers or a hemostat and grasp a small amount of hair, either on the underside of your dog's ear or at the entrance to the ear canal. Keep amounts small so as not to cause undue discomfort. Quickly pluck the hair, pulling it out by the roots. You can also use scissors or clippers instead of plucking if that is more comfortable for you and your dog, just be careful to keep trimmed hair from falling into the ear canal.

Step

Clean ears

Place a small amount of ear cleaner in the ear canal, massage gently, and wipe out with a cotton ball using your fingers. Do not use cotton swabs or insert any other tool into the ear canal.

Step

Reward

Repeat with the other side and be sure to give your dog a treat for being cooperative.

The In the Bath Method

Effective

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Scissors

Hemostat

Towel

Step

Contain in bathtub

Stand your large dog in the bathtub prior to his bath. If your dog shakes his head during cleaning, ear debris that shakes loose will be contained in the bathtub stall, not all over your house.

Step

Remove excess hair and debris

Inspect your dog's ears for excess hair and debris. Remove debris with your fingers and trim or pluck excess hair from around the ear canal and the outside of the ear flap.

Step

Insert cleaner

Gently hold an ear cleaning solution dispenser just inside the entrance to the ear canal--do not insert it into the ear canal--and squeeze the cleaning solution into the ear. Massage the ear gently. You will likely hear a swishing sound as the solution is distributed.

Step

Shake and wipe

Allow your dog to shake to get the fluid and debris out of his ear. Protect yourself and your bathroom walls with a towel. Wipe out your dog's ears with a cotton ball or a piece of gauze wrapped around your finger.

Step

Repeat

Repeat on the other side, give your dog a treat and praise.

Step

Protect ears during bath

Insert cotton balls into your dog's ears so water does not get into the ears during the bath. Continue with your regular bathing process. Do not forget to take cotton balls out at the end of the bath.

Caution & Considerations

Do not point sharp object towards the ear canals. Hold scissors or clippers parallel to your dog's skin.
Do not insert cotton swabs or any other tool or implement inside your dog's ear canal, as they can damage delicate ear structures like the eardrum.
If your dog has signs of infection such as discharge or sores in and around the ear canal or ear, consult a veterinarian as bacterial or fungal infections require medication and treatment.
Only use cleaners and powders recommended for ear cleaning and follow product directions carefully.

Conclusion

Although your large dog may not relish ear grooming, the hair on his ears needs to be addressed the same as the hair anywhere else on his body. Ears should be kept clean and excess hair that traps moisture and dirt removed from around and just inside the ear canal. Plucking is considered the most effective way of doing this, however trimming and clipping may also be employed. Large dogs can have their ears handled more easily when lying on their side, although standing a large dog in a bathtub may help to contain the mess from ear cleaning more effectively. You will need to figure out what is the most comfortable for you and your big guy.

How to Groom a Large Dog's Ears

Introduction

Dog's Perspective

The Lie Down Method

The In the Bath Method

Caution & Considerations

Conclusion

Success Stories and Grooming Questions

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