Exercise 2-10: Ears
Dog holds head still for visual inspection of each ear while handler touches inside each ear with a dry cotton ball.
Dog holds its head still (chin rest to a pillow or towel in the handler’s lap or light muzzle/head restraint) while the handler physically manipulates and holds each ear with one hand. A dry cotton ball will be used to lightly touch the inside of each ear. If the dog raises his head, he may be cued to retake the chin rest, or the handler may wait for the dog to again offer the position before proceeding.
Exercise 2-10: Ears
Dog holds head still for visual inspection of each ear while handler touches inside each ear with a dry cotton ball.
Dog holds its head still (chin rest to a pillow or towel in the handler’s lap or light muzzle/head restraint) while the handler physically manipulates and holds each ear with one hand. A dry cotton ball will be used to lightly touch the inside of each ear. If the dog raises his head, he may be cued to retake the chin rest, or the handler may wait for the dog to again offer the position before proceeding.
Purpose: An ear exam is part of routine veterinary visits. Your vet will lift each ear and look inside. Some breeds, and some individual dogs, tend to have frequent ear infections that are very painful and require treatment. Familiarizing your dog with basic ear exams is a good plan should future treatments be necessary.
Equipment: Treats. Cotton ball.
Exercise set-up: The dog can be in any comfortable position. The handler should be facing the dog. A chin rest to a pillow or towel or light muzzle/head restraint may be used during the exercise. A cotton ball should be within easy reach.
Scoring: In order to pass this exercise the dog must hold his head still, allow the trainer to hold each ear and lift the ear flap, and tolerate a cotton ball wiped gently across the inside of each ear.
Non-qualifiers: The dog does not hold still (gentle verbal encouragement is allowed) for the exam. The trainer does not physically hold or move the ear. The trainer does not clearly wipe a cotton ball across the inside of each ear.
Tips: Some dogs can be very uncomfortable having their ears manipulated, so take it slowly. Work first on reaching for the ear, then touching it, then moving it. Introduce the cotton ball separately at a distance, then move it closer and closer as your dog becomes comfortable.
Video example: