Start cleaning your dogs ears every week to avoid those troublesome ear problems. Use a solution formulated for cleaning dogs ears. Soak a cotton ball in ear wash and squeeze out any excess. Gently rub the cotton ball along the sides of your dog's ears. Stop and allow your dog to shake off excess moisture, this is important to prevent ear infections. Next take a cotton swab soaked in the ear wash and clean the nooks and crannies of the ear. Take care to keep the swab out of the ear canal, that type of cleaning should be left to the professionals.

When you clean the ears you should also check them for any problems. Some of the more common ones are ear mites, ear infections, and canker. A frequent cause of ear infections is water trapped in the ear canal. This damp environment is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and fungus and causes painful sensitivity, swelling, redness and infection. Ear wax is frequently home to ear mites. Dogs with ear mites will shake their heads and scratch their ears. If you suspect your dog has ear mites consult with your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment if necessary. Most treatments for ear mites involve using insecticides. The insecticides only kill adult mites, so usually the insecticide is applied for 7 days, then waiting 10 days for the baby mites to mature before applying it again.

Accumulated ear wax and lack of circulation are leading causes of ear canker. If you see a dark-colored discharge and smell a foul odor take your dog to the vet. Don't use ear canker drops unless advised by your vet to do so.

Another reason dogs scratch their ears is allergies. Allergies cause the skin, and ears, to become inflamed. Consult with your veterinarian for treatment.

Occasionally weeds and other organic matter will get into your canine's ears. If weeds work their way down the ear canal they cause serious, life-threatening conditions. In the western part of the U.S. the foxtail weed finds its way into the ears of thousands of dogs every year, posing a serious health threat.