Hairy Old Man Ears

[angelsophie]

so my 5 month old Havanese has hairy old man ears. We have been recommended plucking by 2 vets and have to for showing as well. Only trouble is he HATES it. How do I go about training him to still still for it. Any tips?? I had thought about finding a groomer just for his ears to get the bulk out then keep up maintainence - yes a cop out I know I do all his other grooming inc nails and he wont be getting clipped as I am keeping him in coat. Maybe he could hate the groomer instead of me for a necessary evil

For those groomers out there would you do it?

Bec

[atua]

Hey,

As a groomer I hate doing it because at times alot of dogs ears get all red and inflamed.

I tend to only do a few of them for this reason and recommend people to do it at home as well when sitting on the couch. Only do a few each night. Theres no way a dog is going to like it that why with my guy i do a few every night. He hates it and i have put it down to being like pulling nose hairs out. I wouldnt like it so I dont blame them.

[angelsophie]

VERY hairy ears in this breed and dog. Both vets suggested that his ear were suffering too much hair. The second vet said anytime this boy goes under anaesthetic to get em well and truely plucked. But as we are showing he wont be desexed anytime soon.

Yep I am doing a little at a time but he had a super hairy spot in one ear that I cant get to with fingers and wont try with tweezers or anything else but needs to be done, persisitence I guess was looking for an easy way out.

[ellz]

Get yourself a pair of haemostats and take a seat in front of the TV so that you are nice and relaxed.

You don't need to pull a lot with each tug. Perhaps your boy has taken a dislike to it because he was hurt in the past. Most dogs don't ever actually "enjoy" the procedure, but in time, provided you pull a teensy bit at a time and keep at it, with treats and kind words, they learn to accept it.

[becks]

make sure you use a reasonable amount of ear powder before you start plucking, makes the whole thing easier.

Yes, as a groomer i would be fine to just have a dog in for plucking ears, no real difference to soeone coming in for a nail clip

[Stitch]

All my dogs get their ears plucked from when they are very young and they have no trouble with me doing it, in fact they actually enjoy the procedure, it is just a matter of training.

Think of it as your opportunity to exert your leadership status and become assertive. ;)

[ellz]

All my dogs get their ears plucked from when they are very young and they have no trouble with me doing it, in fact they actually enjoy the procedure, it is just a matter of training.

Think of it as your opportunity to exert your leadership status and become assertive.

I would agree with this for baby puppies.

But a slightly older dog which has already exhibited fear tendencies might find it a little overwhelming. This is why I suggest making it as much a "pleasant" experience as possible until he is more relaxed with the idea.