Loading…
Ear care
How to clean your dog's ears.
Cup your hand behind the ear and smell it. A normal ear smells like almost nothing. A yeasty, sweet, or sharp smell means something else is going on, and cleaning alone will not fix it. Here is the right way to clean, and how to tell the difference.
What you need
Three things, nothing fancy.
A vet-approved ear cleaner.
A canine-formulated cleaning solution, not water alone and not anything from a human medicine cabinet.
Cotton balls or pads.
Never cotton swabs. A ball or pad wipes what a finger can reach; a swab pushes debris deeper into a canal shaped nothing like a human ear.
Treats.
Most dogs tolerate ear cleaning fine once it is not a fight. Treats during, not just after, build that tolerance faster than anything else.
Step by step
Five steps, about two minutes.
- 1Lift the ear flap.
Gently fold the ear up and back so you can see straight down into the canal opening.
- 2Fill the canal.
Apply the cleaner generously into the canal opening, not just around the visible edge. A light amount does not reach far enough to do anything.
- 3Massage for about 30 seconds.
Work the base of the ear gently with your fingers. You should hear a soft squelch, that is the solution breaking up debris and wax down in the canal.
- 4Let the dog shake.
This is not optional and not a mess to prevent. The shake is what actually brings loosened debris up and out of the canal where you can reach it.
- 5Wipe only as far as a finger reaches.
Use the cotton ball or pad to wipe the visible canal and the inside of the flap. Stop where your finger stops. Anything deeper needs a vet tool, not a cotton ball pushed further in.
What never to use
Three habits that make things worse.
Cotton swabs.
They push debris and wax deeper into the canal instead of removing it, which is the opposite of what a swab looks like it should do.
Hydrogen peroxide.
It irritates the sensitive canal lining. Use a purpose-made canine ear cleaner instead, every time.
Forceful squeezing or digging.
Pressing hard on a painful or infected ear risks the dog snapping in reflex, and does not clean anything a gentle wipe would not.
Know the limit
When it's not a cleaning problem.
Discharge, a strong or persistent odor, redness, head shaking, or scratching at the ears all point to an infection, not dirt. That is a vet visit, not a reason to clean more often or more aggressively. Cleaning a genuinely infected ear more only irritates it further while the real cause continues.
Not sure which solution to use? See the dog ear cleaner we actually use for what's in the bottle.
Already included
We check and clean ears at every wash.
It is part of the base price, not an add-on line you have to remember to request. If something looks off in there, we will tell you plainly instead of just washing around it.
Get the ear-cleaning steps in your inbox.
The five steps and the smell test, saved for next time, plus a reminder timed to your dog's coat and season.
One email with the guide, plus seasonal dog care reminders that are actually useful. Reply unsubscribe any time and we stop.
Frequently asked
Ear cleaning questions.
As-needed, based on the breed. Floppy-eared dogs and water dogs generally need it more often because they trap moisture. Check weekly and clean when the ears look visibly dirty or smell off, rather than on a fixed calendar.
Usually yeast or bacterial buildup from trapped moisture. A smell that persists after a proper cleaning, or comes back within a day or two, is a vet visit, not a sign to clean harder.
No. It irritates the sensitive lining of the canal. Use a purpose-made canine ear cleaner instead.
No. Swabs push debris and wax deeper into the canal rather than removing it. Use a cotton ball or pad and stop where your finger reaches.
Yes, it is part of every wash here, not a separate line item you have to remember to add.
Ears checked and cleaned at every wash.
No add-on, no extra charge. Part of every wash, along with nails and a full brush-out.
or text us at (408) 599-8317
Owner-operated · Local service
Hi, I’m Ace.
I run Bay Area Mobile Dog Wash myself — I’m the one who shows up at your door. Every visit is one dog at a time in the van at your curb: warm water, a full brush-out and a proper dry, with no salon drive and no cage waiting. Big dogs, heavy shedders and nervous seniors are the reason this service exists.
Owner-OperatedLarge-Dog FriendlyDe-SheddingSenior & Anxious Dogs
Book with AceWhat our customers say
Trusted by Bay Area dog parents
★★★★★
SUCH a great - and easy! - experience! Asa was immediately responsive (I love when businesses actually answer their phone!), worked Moose in within 24 hours, was communicative throughout, bought unscented products specifically for us, did a great job with my 12 year old doodle … all in all: amazing service!
★★★★★
Ace at Bay Area Mobile Dog Wash was absolutely wonderful with my senior dog. He was so gentle and patient with him, which meant everything to me given his age — I could tell he genuinely cared about his comfort throughout the whole process. Beyond the excellent care, Ace was warm, loving, and clearly an animal lover at heart, while also being completely professional from start to finish. It's rare to find someone who balances that kind of tenderness with real expertise, and my dog came out looking and smelling great without a hint of stress. Highly recommend Ace and Bay Area Mobile Dog Wash.
★★★★☆
Ace was great with my 3 small dogs. They got washed and towel dried, their ears checked, their nails trimmed. One star off because he trimmed one nail too far and it bled for a long time, plus distressed my already anxious dog. Important to know that this service isn't van-based (yet). Ace brings a portable wash station to set up outside. He brings his own water and supplies. He doesn't do any hair cuts, just basic wash and towel dry. I'll call him again in the future!
★★★★★
Ace did a great job with our little old chihuahua mix. Our appointment was for the evening and he came prepared with warm water, and made our sure our dog was comfortable the entire time. Don't let the lack of reviews on yelp scare you away, his prices are good, and he takes time to ensure that good work is done.
★★★★★
He did such an amazing job with my dog! He came out looking so nice, clean, and well-groomed, but what stood out to me most was how happy and comfortable he seemed afterward. You can really tell he was treated with care throughout the entire process. I'm extremely pleased with how everything turned out and would definitely recommend him!
★★★★★
Ace at Bay Area Mobile Dog Wash was absolutely wonderful with my senior dog. He was so gentle and patient with him, which meant everything to me given his age -- I could tell he genuinely cared about his comfort throughout the whole process. Beyond the excellent care, Ace was warm, loving, and clearly an animal lover at heart, while also being completely professional from start to finish. It's rare to find someone who balances that kind of tenderness with real expertise, and my dog came out looking and smelling great without a hint of stress. Highly recommend Ace and Bay Area Mobile Dog Wash. Price is great!
★★★★★
We booked Bay Area Mobile Dog Wash for our 90-lb German Shepherd, Koda, who hates the groomer. Ace parked the van right in our driveway in Willow Glen, walked her up the ramp himself — no lifting, no cage, no other dogs — and I watched the whole wash from my doorstep. Bath, nails, ears, and she came back inside dry and calm. Flat $95 exactly as the website said, no surprise charges. We've already booked next month. 😊❤️
Reviews drift by on their own · hover to pause and read