how do you restrain dog during ear treatment

by Sylvia
(Baltimore)

My 15lb Maltese mix fights like Mike Tyson. I am afraid I am traumatizing the poor baby to clean and treat ear. How can I restrain him effectively w/o huring him? His name is Bishop.

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Hi Sylvia,

Smaller dogs always seem to be the hardest to restrain because they wiggle and fight so much.

Here are some suggestions: Try to pet him or play with him first to try and calm him down and maybe give him some treats.

Also since he fights so much if you have an extra person around to help restrain it goes much easier.

The first few days of treating are the hardest. Once the level of inflammation and pain decrease they normally don't fight so much.

Sometimes pets respond better to less restraint as well. Dr. Chris