How to Clean a Flat-Coated Retriever's Ears

The flat-coated retriever is a sporting, family-oriented dog with flapping, furry ears and a love of swimming. Unfortunately, the combination of its affinity for water and its natural ear shape makes this breed susceptible to ear infections. The furry flap closure traps water inside the ear canal, where bacteria fester before causing an infection. Regularly cleaning your flat-coated retriever's ears, especially after swimming, removes infectious bacteria and excess moisture in the ear canal.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog ear-cleansing solution
  • Dry cotton pads
  • Dry cotton swabs
  • Tube sock
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Instructions

    • 1

      Lay your dog flat on its side on a table or covered counter surface. Speak in soothing tones and rub the dog's belly to minimize its anxiety, as most dogs dislike having their ears cleaned.

    • 2

      Secure your retriever's stomach with your elbow and pull back its ear flap until you expose the ear canal and the hair-covered side rests flat against its head.

    • 3

      Shake the cleansing solution and insert the nozzle into the outer part of the canal. Hold your dog's head firmly to the table and quickly squeeze a few drops of the solution into the canal. Hold your dog's head firmly to the table to prevent any head shaking, which removes the cleaning solution.

    • 4

      Massage the outer base of the ear flap, where the ear connects to the head, for five to 10 seconds using your thumb and pointer finger. Massage immediately after squirting the solution so it distributes evenly throughout the canal. Continue speaking softly and offer the dog a treat. Do not let the dog shake its head even after you're finished massaging.

    • 5

      Firmly stroke a clean cotton pad over the nonhairy side of the ear flap. Use the cotton pad only for cleaning the smooth, nonbumpy cartilage inside your dog's outer ear. The ear of a healthy flat-coat retriever produces a golden-colored waxy discharge, similar to that of a healthy human ear. An infected ear discharges black or dark brown wax that carries a yeasty odor.

    • 6

      Clean the bumps and curves of the middle ear with a clean cotton swab. Do not insert the cotton swab deeper than you can see or you risk damaging the eardrum. Replace the cotton swab whenever it fills with wax or debris.

    • 7

      Fold your dog's ears open for 10 to 15 minutes so the middle and inner ear dry. For more secure positioning, tie both ears on top of the dog's head with a strip of stretchy tube sock.