“I hate having my ears cleaned so much that I hide every single time someone opens the medicine cabinet” – Phoebe, 7yo lab.
My lab is prone to ear infections, so the vet told me to clean her ears once a week. Every time Phoebe hears the creak of the medicine cabinet opening, she makes a run for her crate and hides. In reality, she’s actually only getting her ears cleaned about 10% of the time I open that cabinet, but she obviously doesn’t want to risk it.
Jenn
My one dog runs too! We don’t even get the bottle out or invert the bottle until we are ready! And then she is the drama queen, rubbing her ears on the carpet, her bed, her sister’s bed, etc.
Juls
Bear does the same thing! When I pick up the bottle he does the slo-mo “if I creep away quietly she won’t notice I’m gone” crawl. (Invisibility is hard when you weigh 60 lbs). Even bribing with treats doesn’t work.
jennifer
An old-school vet I know recommends boric acid in the ears, just a small pinch once a day to keep ears clean and dry. That might be an alternative worth looking into.
Tara
I have the opposite issue – one dog gets hers cleaned and her ear meds, and I have to do a placebo for the other dog because she gets jealous!
Sarah
Too funny!
Barbara
Try zymox drops. Cured my dogs chronic ear problems in a week- really!
Jack
My dog runs when it’s nail clipping time.
Gina
All mine has to see is a Q Tip! Then let the wrestling begin!!!!
Cathy R
Glad to know it’s a common problem, my beagle mix does the same thing!
Jackie
I have to clean our Bellas ears out with wipes, and she tries to hide under the sofa when I approach, thing is, shes too big to get under there!