I give up!

maggiesmomma

New member
So Maggie has never been one to enjoy getting her ears cleaned. It has been a huge ordeal since the day we got her. I have tried everything I can think of. She doesn't bite, but she does grab on and remind you that she could if she wanted to. I just cant keep doing this!!!! I NEED HELP!!!! I am open to any and all ideas and suggestions.
 

ElvisTheNewf

Active member
Oh no! Elvis doesn't seem to mind, but I'm looking forward to everyone else' advice just in case he starts! I hope you get some good ideas.
 

twright1231

New member
Both my boys kinda like it. If I'm cleaning Ty's ears, Boaz is all over me so he can have a turn. How are you going about it?

I use the Zymox ear cleaner. I warm the bottle a bit under warm water so it doesn't seem cold to them. A quick squirt in each ear then fold the ear down and rub a bit. Then it dig in there with a cloth covered finger, and clean up the outside with a cotton swab.
 

maggiesmomma

New member
Ok Leonard...im busting out the watermelon!!!!! Im up for anything. Guess while im at it I should ask the best way to clean watermelon juice off the couch, walls, floor....

How do I go about it? Im guessing ALL WRONG! I try to set the bottle of ear cleaner close by when I am brushing her. She loves to be brushed. So after she is calm, I get the cleaner, she sees the bottle and BOLTS! It comes down to a leash, a husband children running , a wild newfie and a stressed mommy. I usually try to distract her while husband comes from behind for the kill. It's just too much stress and I want to change it all. No more sneak attacks. Want her to know whats coming and be more willing.
 

YorkvilleNewfie

New member
My girl hates it to, but she obliges...begrudgingly. Then she won't even look at me for a full 2 days after I do it. She really gets mad at me about it. I have no advice, but I feel for you and wish you luck! I've tried a myriad of tricks to get Mila to like it more, but no dice!
 

Lori

New member
Chance used to love having his ears cleaned. He would wag his tail and get all happy when I got the stuff out. Maybe try a peanut butter stuffed Kong to distract her? Or what if you squirted some of the cleaner on a paper towel first then clean the ear, just for a while till she likes it better. Might be the feeling of the cold liquid suddenly in her ear.

Good luck!
 

mareserinitatis

New member
I think the cold is usually what gets them. Put the bottle in a bowl of hot water for about 15 minutes and see if that helps.

Also, if she's that finicky, maybe just putting it directly on to the cotton ball and wiping it out every day may be easier than taking the bottle directly to her ears on a less regular basis.
 

maggiesmomma

New member
Will try the cotton ball and warming the liquid. Great idea on the kong. We haven't gotten one yet, but this may be just the excuse to go shopping! Tried to get husband to help again, think I have found the problem...they are not always the best mix. Both just a bit to bull headed.
 

graybird

New member
A grooming table with a noose helps :D. Rather than squirting the liquid into the ear, I squirt it on a 4" gauze pad, the kind they sell for bandages, and then rootle around in her ear with a finger wrapped in the gauze. She doesn't mind it at all. Do you remember the squirmy icky feeling from having ear drops put in your ears when you were a kid? I'd guess it's the same for them, and that some mind it more than others.
 

Jorge's mum

New member
we use the cotton ball and put the cleaner onto that, I also think they don't like the sound of the squeeze from the bottle- mine love having their ears cleaned :O) good luck x
 

Jeannie

Super Moderator
I never squirt the ear cleaner into the ear unless the dog's ear is really a mess. I put some on a cotton ball then clean the ear. I use cotton tips only where I can see to get the crud in the creases and around the bumps.
 

wrknnwf

Active member
If you have someone who can help you work with her, have them feed her treats while you work on the ears. Also, warm the bottle of liquid slightly (like a babies bottle). It can be really uncomfortable to her if it's "cold".
 

2Paws

New member
we use the cotton ball and put the cleaner onto that, I also think they don't like the sound of the squeeze from the bottle- mine love having their ears cleaned :O) good luck x
My vet told me a long time ago that one does NOT need to squirt the stuff into the ear. He said the best way to do it is to put it on the cotton ball and then proceed to clean the ear out. Since I started doing it this way, my guys sit very patiently for me while I clean their ears and then everybody gets a cookie.

If you have medicine that needs to sit in the ear, you can saturate the cotton ball and then let the stuff drip into the ear. They seem to tolerate that much better than having anything squirted into the ear. Good luck.
 

KodysGrandma

New member
Our Tag has needed ear medicine for a while now. I found the warming was the biggest key to success. When I needed to clean as well I used the gauze pad method, it left less "residue" than a cotton ball and got up more gunk. Then like Jeannie a swab around the bumpy parts. But warming definitely and right now since the bottle means trouble I'd warm, put on gauze where she doesn't see it.
 
Morgan doesn't like it either. Must be the genes? HA!! Morgan only needs hers cleaned after her bath after a day of hard swimming. Maybe run and tire her out before cleaning them. We only saturate the cotton ball. If her ears aren't that bad then we just use a cotton ball with out cleaning solution.
I do Morgans when shes on her grooming table and can't run away. Have my hubby hold her just in case she try's to step off? Don't need any accidents. Good Luck and hope this helped!
 

Bojie

New member
Rather than squirting the liquid into the ear, I squirt it on a 4" gauze pad, the kind they sell for bandages, and then rootle around in her ear with a finger wrapped in the gauze. She doesn't mind it at all. Do you remember the squirmy icky feeling from having ear drops put in your ears when you were a kid? I'd guess it's the same for them, and that some mind it more than others.
I use the same method here- with 4x4 cotton swabs. Works just as well, and you can squeeze the liquid in off the cotton ball from your finger as your inside the ear- then I take it out rub his ear, and go back in with a clean cotton 4x4 swab to wipe it dry.
 

maggiesmomma

New member
Woo Hoo! Tried the gauze and cleaner. WORKED! Not perfect, but better than any other time! Dog and mom are stress free, now that is an accomplishment!
 
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