Photo 11
One more area to pluck and here I am pointing to it. To help in both limiting hair accumulations in the ear canal and improve air circulation I find it essential to pluck out a crescent of hair immediately below the ear canal opening. Hair here grows in just about every conceivable direction including down into the canal which can substantially accelerate wax and debris accumulation. Removing this hair also helps the ear flap lie neat and close to the dog’s head.

Photo 12
Progress on the lower crescent plucking and…

Photo 13
Finished plucking of all three areas and brushed out to show the ideal result of your work. On this occasion this took me about 25 minutes to pluck all three areas, including stopping for photography. It really doesn’t take a lot of time but remember I have been doing this for many years and my dogs are very well trained, used to this procedure and are extremely tolerant of “daddy doing weird things to them”. If you are doing this for the first time and if your dog is unsettled it will take a lot longer, especially if the ear is sensitive because of a yeast infection etc. Take your time, talk to your dog and tell him/her how good they are being and how special they are. Keep it a positive experience for them full of attention and calming words in happy and upbeat tones. As you do this more often it will become less unusual and easier for both of you. When that happens it also becomes much quicker.


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