Many times hunting dogs have ear issues quicker that house pets. Our dogs brave the thickest of brush, swim through whatever is needed and are out in all types of weather conditions. They are exposed to all types of adverse conditions that may lead to ear issues. Having a dog be able to hear your commands is crucial to success in the field and more importantly, having him be able to use more than his nose to find his way back to you.
Dogs may have dirt, wax or some type of ear mite that is impairing his ability to hear well. Have a reputable vet check him out if you have reason to believe that a medical issue is involved. Some times ear mites are the culprit. Brown crusty spots are often a common sign of ear mites. Ask your vet or pet store for suggestions in obtaining a product that will kill ear mites. Many of these products also help remove ear wax too. Be proactive. Prevention is easier than correction.
Follow these simple tips to make sure your dog has clean ears :
1. Purchase a ear cleaning product from a reputable pet store or get a product recommended by your vet. Many dog owners use a concoction of vinegar and water or peroxide and water.
2. Make sure the product is room temperature
3. Shake it well
4. Make sure your dog is calm, pet him and get him comfortable and relaxed
5. Squeeze the solution into his ear canal to to flush out any wax or other matter
6. Massage the base of your dog’s ear to work the solution around for 20-30 seconds
7. Let the solution settle for a while. Let your dog shake his head to get some of the liquid out (this will also let the dog feel like he has some control over what is going on).
8. Use a cotton ball soaked with the cleaning product to rub the inside of his ear flap
9. Give him a treat and pet him to show that you are his best friend and only want what’s best for him
10. Clean his ears every week or two to make sure that everything is okay.
Cleaning Dog’s Ears is essential to having a useful companion in the field. To view more articles like this go to Buy and Sell Hunting Dogs.
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