Everyone knows that those visits to the doctor’s office can be a little ridiculous sometimes. Even if you have an insurance that covers a good portion of your expenses, the deductibles and prescriptions can really add up. Well, you may have realized that the same goes for those pet bills! On average, for a medium sized dog, a nail clipping is around $20, a bathing about $40, and an ear cleaning about $20. Why not cut about $100 in grooming expenses and get them done in the comfort of your home for free?
First of all, your dog will thank you because typically, they are petrified as soon as you pull into that horribly familiar parking lot. My pups know as soon as I turn down the street where we are going–and they suddenly are not so happy that they got to go “bye-bye”. Secondly, your checkbook will thank you too. Get the costs down, and get your veterinarian-expertise up!
Ear infections are widely known as the number one cause of veterinarian visits. If your pooch develops an ear infection, be ready to get charged somewhere between $100-200 depending on your vet. They charge for the exam ($45), microscopic ear swab and ear mite check ($20), topical medications ($20), and maybe an oral medication ($10-50), depending on the severity of the infection. So refrain from the possibility of an infection, and keep your dog’s ears clean!
Since most dogs find their ears sensitive to the touch, you need to establish a good experience for your dog while handling their ears. I began by allowing my dogs to have a treat while I would massage the outsides (and eventually the insides) of their ears. I took this process slow, and eventually my dog allowed me to examine the insides of their ears. As soon as I felt a good grasp of this process, I added cotton balls and small cloths. Keep in mind that dogs with floppy, downward ears tend to need more ear maintenance due to less air circulation than propped ears. Watch out for shaking of the head and constant scratching. This could be a sign that a cleaning is needed!
Once your dog has a little more trust with you and their ears, and have a good ear cleaning solution, insert only the tip of the bottle and squirt a small amount inside the canal. It also might be a good idea to lay your dog on their side, on hold onto their elbow that is closest to the ground for more control and support. You do not need to force the bottle down far, as this can also cause damage. When the solution is inside the canal, gently massage the bottom of the ear, working the medicine around. Be ready for your pooch to shake! Once the solution is settled, you can insert cotton balls, small cloths, and even q-tips (for crevice-cleaning) into the ear in order to wipe up wax, debri, or discharge. Finally, don’t forget to give your pup praise and good attention for a job well done! 
Not only will you save a trip to the vet, but you will also become more aware of your dog’s health. Continuously check in with your dog’s internal and external features, (gums, teeth, eyes, ears, paws, belly, etc.) Pay attention to any abnormalities that you might see, and be familiar with what is “normal” and what isn’t.
We love our dogs!