Ear cleaning freak out session

Why does Stanley act like we are trying to murder him when we try to clean his ears?? We touch his ears all the time and have been since we got him at 2 months old. He doesn't mind that but the minute he suspects we have a tissue or a cotton ball, he freaks out. And I mean FREAKS out - like kicking and showing teeth and trying to bite us as hard as he can. It's so unlike him. So how can I get him over this and how ofter do I have to clean his ears?? (I'm hoping it's never again, LOL).
--Jenny

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Permalink Reply by Shayleigh's mom on April 14, 2009 at 9:25am

Try coaxing him with treats and praise. Get out the cotton ball/tissue and show it to him, then give him a treat and praise. With the cotton ball/tissue in your hand, hold him down and give him treats and praise. Repeat that with each step, but don't push him too far each time. Just try a couple steps the first time and then leave him alone for a day and try a couple more steps the next day. Before you know it he'll be associating ear cleaning with treats and he'll be more than happy to have them cleaned!

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Permalink Reply by Stanley & Charlotte on April 14, 2009 at 9:33am

Yeah, we've been doing the treat and coaxing thing. But I think if we keep introducing slowly, that would help. Thanks for the advice.

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Permalink Reply by Liz on April 14, 2009 at 10:52am

Can you have a look at Stanley's ears first? Does it look dirty and prossibly there is an infection? Stanley may feel the pain and that is the reason he freaks out. My dog Lorenzo loves his ear to be cleaned, it's the only chance he laid down quietly and let me do whatever I want. I think he knows it will be more comfortable to have a clean ear. Afterwards, Lorenzo will clean his playmate (the other corgi we have) d'Lilah's ears, I don't need do a thing for that pair of ears. - another alternative you want to try....

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Permalink Reply by Stanley & Charlotte on April 14, 2009 at 11:27am

LOL, can we borrow Lorenzo to clean Stanley's ears?

I don't think he has an infection. He's always been this way about his ears, even at the vet's office when they've cleaned them. They said he was actually better about getting his nails trimmed than he was about getting his ears cleaned.