How do I clean my dog's ears at home?

Fill the ear canal generously, following the amount your cleaner's instructions suggest, then hold the ear flap closed and massage the base of the ear, the part below the visible opening, in a gentle circular motion for 20 to 30 seconds. You should hear a slight squelching sound, which means the solution is reaching the debris inside.

Step back and let your dog shake its head, which naturally brings loosened wax and debris up toward the outer ear where you can reach it safely. This shake is an important part of the process, not something to prevent, even though it can splatter a bit.

Use a cotton ball or soft gauze to wipe the visible parts of the ear and the entrance to the canal, going only as far as your finger can comfortably reach. Repeat once or twice if there is still visible debris, but stop once the cotton comes away mostly clean.

The very first time you clean a dog's ears, expect it to take longer and feel less smooth than later sessions, since both you and your dog are learning the process together; allowing extra time, working slowly, and ending with a big reward regardless of how tidy the result looks sets a better tone for future cleanings than rushing to get a perfect result immediately.

Doing the first cleaning session over an easy to wipe floor, like a kitchen or bathroom tile, rather than on carpet, saves cleanup time if things get a little messy while you and your dog are both still learning the process together.