Ear Anatomy

• There are three parts to the dog's ear--the outer ear flap, or pinna; the middle ear; and the inner ear. You can only safely clean the outer ear. The ear flap is long and makes an almost 90-degree drop to the middle ear, which is separated from the outer ear flap by the eardrum.
  
  

Techniques

• You should get your dog in the habit of weekly ear cleanings from the time it is a puppy. Establish a familiar routine to make it more comfortable for both of you. If you are washing the ears without an assistant, start by placing the dog on your lap, or on a firm surface that allows you to easily put an arm around the dog to secure it. Keep the head tucked under your elbow to prevent nipping. With your other hand, fold back the pinna and squirt the cleaning solution into the ear canal. Massage the outer part of the ear canal for 20 seconds, to break up wax and other debris. Gently wipe away the excess cleanser with a cotton ball or a gauze pad. Never use a cotton swab because it can puncture the eardrum. You can gently probe the ear canal to clean away debris, but don't go more than a fingertip's depth inside to avoid rupturing the fragile eardrum. Repeat the process with the other ear. If your dog "freaks out" when you squirt in the solution, you can apply it to the gauze or cotton ball before wiping off the accumulation, but this method isn't as efficient.
  
  

Types of Cleaners

• You can obtain a premixed ear cleaning solution from your vet. A popular one is Epi-Otic. It is useful for cleaning the ears and helps remove extra moisture, plus it has a pleasant apple scent. Some vets recommend adding a squirt if your dog has been swimming. You can also make your own cleaning solution at home, composed of equal parts water and apple cider vinegar. The apple cider vinegar breaks up wax and keeps extra moisture in check without the additives and chemicals in commercially prepared cleaning solutions.