how to clean a dog's ears

To clean a dog's ears safely and effectively, follow these key steps:

1. Gather supplies: a dog ear cleaning solution, cotton balls or gauze, and treats for rewarding your dog.
2. Position your dog comfortably depending on size (e.g., sitting in your lap for small dogs).
3. Hold the ear flap upright to straighten the ear canal.
4. Squeeze enough ear cleaning solution into the ear canal to fill it (without letting the bottle tip touch the ear).
5. Gently massage the base of the ear for about 30 seconds to loosen debris, listening for a squishing sound.
6. Use cotton balls or gauze to wipe away debris from the inner ear flap and ear canal opening. Do not insert anything deep into the canal—only as far as your finger or knuckle can reach comfortably.
7. Let your dog shake its head to expel loosened debris and solution.
8. Wipe again to clean out any loosened debris after shaking.

Avoid using cotton swabs deep in the ear, harsh chemicals like alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, and stop if the dog shows signs of pain or infection such as redness, odor, or excessive wax. Reward your dog with treats to make the experience positive. These steps ensure thorough, gentle cleaning while preventing injury or irritation.