Ear Cleaning...Are You Doing It Right?

Guess What? I have been doing it wrong and you probably are too! When I see that Brown, Yeasty Gunk in Daisy's ear, I rush to get out my cleaning supplies, roll up my sleeves and "Go to Town" scraping it all out of there. "I" certainly have that good feeling of accomplishment when I finish and Daisy's ear is squeaky clean. Daisy doesn't seem to enjoy it though! And come to find out a dog's ear skin is really sensitive. No wonder dogs hate this process....because it Hurts!!

Here is why you shouldn't be digging down the ear canal; It is shaped like an "L" and look how long it is!!

Besides if you are digging you might actually be pushing the Gunk down even farther. Making the cleaning process counterproductive.

Think about this...the Earwax System exists to push Gunk out. The Gunk is really the Hero by removing the infection from the ear. So wouldn't it be best to let it do it's job?

How about this for your new cleaning regime? If you already have ear cleaning solution, then use it. If you don't, then you can use 1:1 Hydrogen Peroxide to Water or Apple Cider Vinegar to Water.

Then follow these instructions. I know this may go against your cleaning beliefs but nowadays we are over cleaning everything. Remember Good Bacteria keeps the World Healthy.

By the way, these instructions are from a Veterinarian; Dr. Barbara Royal. ( I added the Red Circle for emphasis!)

You can clean your dog's ear on a regular basis if they have a tendency to be "Gunky". But if there is an infection by all means get proper medical attention.

Thanks for being here!

My best,

Dru

Out of the DogHouse LLC website www.ohiodogtrainer.net

Any Questions? Call me, Dru Therrian 440.286.9070

Make Fetch Fun

Has the Game of Fetch stopped being Fun? I hear this all the time. "My dog will pick up the ball but she won't drop it!" Yup! The Game is ON! Sometimes you have a Gingerbread Dog....Catch me if you Can Or Dogzilla, who resource guards the toy like it's a Pile of Money!!

I know how frustrating that can be and it certainly isn't any fun especially when you know how much you both really could enjoy the Game of Fetch if your dog played nicely.

Let me preface this by saying, what I am gonna show you works for a dog who already picks up the ball with her mouth but won't let go.

Avoid this #1 Mistake that most people make. Most people believe (because some dogs do) their dog is going to just Happily give back the toy. Nope! That dog Loves it; Wants it; Can't give it up! 

Here is how to make Fetch Fun.  Have something More Valuable to trade your dog for the toy!! If your dog LOVES>LOVES>LOVES toys (get it? Must really Love toys) then use a second toy to get the first one back. If not then use Food. Food works best because the dog will eat it and it is gone. You won't have to worry about the dog running off or trying to get it back.

Here is a short video showing how to teach your dog to release the toy.

Keep in mind that your dog can not hold the toy and eat at the same time. Ultimately she must spit OUT the toy to eat the food. Then you can pick up the toy and play again.

Thanks for being here!

My best,

Dru

Out of the DogHouse LLC website www.ohiodogtrainer.net

Any Questions? Call me, Dru Therrian 440.286.9070