The dreaded hemostat...advice?

[Ace's Place]

Well, I bought a hemostat (non-locking because I read online that's better) and I'm afraid to use it. I can see the black ear hair and know that I need to take care of it. Well, honestly I tried to use it and of course I nipped Ace's inner ear skin. He yelped and I threw the thing back in the drawer I felt so bad.

He was squirming alot when I went to do it. Any advice on how to do this properly? Are you supposed to try and grip just a few hairs? What position is the dog in/are you in? I'm so nervous about trying again...

[lindamarie]

I'm squirming and nervous just reading this!
That's why I have a groomer do nails, ears etc. I'm a big chicken!

[Lucky Me]

Ear hair pulling can be difficult with a dark haired dog.
I use ear powder first, then it is easier to see and pull.
Dog Ear Care: Ear Powder for Dogs from Drs. Foster and Smith

Hopefully he didn't get too upset with you & will hold still and let you try again.
Pull the ear flap up right and position it so that you can see straight down, and pull small amounts at a time....
Hope this helps...

[Ace's Place]

THank you. I think I will try and find some nice quiet downtime this weekend when I can really be very patient and calm about it....the last time when I accidentally touched his skin there were alot of I'm sorry's and petting saying Okay, okay...so I hope he is not too nervous. And Linda, I know what you mean. I would have the groomer do it, but first time I went there she was commenting about how another client asked her to pull her dog's ear hair and she told the dog (in front of me) that she feels that is something mommy should keep up with! (lol) I do and don't agree - but she does everything else really well so I didn't pursued it. Anyway, with a little practice and guidance I do hope to do more and more of his grooming/hygiene needs myself.

[warcopwife]

I can't do it! My mum did while we were home for Christmas (she has a poodle), and it just made me squirm, so I will keep on asking my groomer to take care of ear hair for me. It's a silly mommy thing, I am sure, but I will clip Georgia's nails, trim her hair, bath and fur monster her...but pulling the hair out of her ears is wayyyyyy beyond me!

[Nikkiey]

I'm with lindamarie on this one, I was squirming just reading it.

I deal with Juneau's ear hair on my own but I don't use a hemostat. I have a pair of tweezers that are rounded on the end (pretty much child safe) so even if Juneau moves unexpectedly I won't knick the insides of his ears.

Plus we only do Juneau's 'grooming' after a nice long day at doggie daycare or the dog park. Juneau's usually so tired the whole house could crash down around him and he wouldn't even notice. Maybe make sure Ace gets to run off some steam and pent up energy before you try again?!

[daking]

exercise the hell out of him first! the more tired he is, the more relaxed he will be.

[Ace's Place]

Hi Nikkey - that sounds like another idea to consider. I don't have to use this thing if something else would work. In fact I don't like the idea at all of bothering Ace in this way. Originally I thought I would try to use my fingers - like I've read about - but I"m not able to really grip any hair. Alas, now I am in the middle of just cleaning his ears because I think some lobster treat goodies that I gave him over the past three weeks triggered allergies and a resulting ear infection (that I may have caught early enough to treat with zymox and ear cleaner). Yes freeze dried lobster meat for dogs from a company here in CT - can you say pampered dog? lol.

Also, thanks for the reminder re: the energy draining activities before hand. I agree with that!!

[Ace's Place]

Actually, another question - probably silly,but.... Do I have to get this ear hair out? Is everyone out there trying to pull ear hair out of their doodles ears? Or is this above and beyond grooming?

[Jasper'sMomma]

You really need to keep the ears clear from the hair. My dogs get it done every 6 weeks or so when they get groomed. It traps in moisture and can cause ear infections. and it's just good hygiene for them. Jasper will tell me when it's time to get it done cuz he starts pawing at his ears and rubbing his head around the floor.

There is no way I could do it myself and my groomer does a great job...and I don't think she would ever expect me to do it. It's part of the grooming process.

My dad took care of our poodles' ears when I was growing up but I don't know how he managed it...maybe the poodles' hair comes out easier...

[Nikkiey]

I pull Juneau's ear hair out, he doesn't seem to notice or mind it so I'm assuming it either feels good or he just doesn't feel it. Either way, he's prone to ear infections so the less that's in them the cleaner I can keep them.

[deepnite10]

i just did Toby s this morning..i use the hemostat and got what i could..then use an liquid ear cleaner..befor the ear cleaner drys it clumps
the hair together where i can pull more than one out at a time..

i want to mention that it took a while to get him use to having a hemostat
in his ear..first he had to become comfortable and confident that i was nt going to hurt him..

by that time id use the sleep command and he d get on his side where i could spend as much as half hr. working on the little buggers..

its very important to remove as much hair in the ear as possible..any hair will act a wick, drawing moisture into the ear canal..

[markrys]

Great thread! We saw a you tube video on this but were nervous on how to do it & if really nessary . We will start working on Chloe's ears today. She is 4 mos. old and has been the best pup ever!! Thanks M&K

[Hays]

Ace's Place....I cannot believe the groomer told you that! That is what they are getting paid to do! We take Hayley every 4 weeks to get groomed and they do everything there! I pay them so I don't have to worry about it...that's the point! Hayley really enjoys going too..! She loves seeing the girls in there and they do such a great job...Even our male cat joins and he gets the Lion Cut!!!

[Moe]

My 4 mo old doodle had tons of black wax in her ears. Vet tested her and she had a yeast infection in both ears. He said doodles are prone to dirty ears and pulling the hair out of their ears will help keep them clean. He actually pulled out tons of hair with his fingers. Since then I've been cleaning them out once a week so there is no build up that will get infected. I don't think I could pull the hair myself. We have not had her groomed yet but I'm going to make sure the groomer will do her ears. yuck, I hate this topic!!!!!