Ear cleansing may be done as part of a dog's regular professional grooming care. When performed correctly, ear cleansing by a proficient dog groomer can truly aid in the reduction of many types of ear trouble.

The most common type of ear infection is in and around the external portion of the ear canal. Infections of the middle and inner ear canal, respectively, often result from the spread of infection from the external ear.

Ear Cleansing Procedure:

First, apply some medicated powder to the ear canal. The medicated powder will not only medicate the ears, but will also allow plucking or the removal of the oily, waxy hair located in the ear canal.

Then gently pluck hair in and surrounding the ear canal itself with thumb and forefinger. Pluck only a very few hairs at a time to lessen any discomfort to the dog, and always try to pluck in the same direction as the hair grows.

In some cases, the hair pullers will be required to remove shorter, denser hair growing from the ear canal. Using the hair puller with a tightly twisted piece of cotton batting firmly secured, (about the size of the end of a cotton swab stick for smaller breeds, a little bigger for larger breeds), gently swab outer ear canal area with a medicated ear cleanser. This procedure will medicate and close hair follicles as well as leave a well cleansed ear.

Voila! A beautifully cleaned ear.