Tatze has ear mites at the moment and we are using Thornit powder, which is working great - WHEN we can get it in! But she's causing the most almighty fuss when I try to put it in - she seems scared stiff. This is most unlike her - she's the most laid back pooch, but if she suspects I have her ears in mind she won't even come to me for a treat. Any solutions would be gratefully received - the mites are very distressing for her
Re: Ears + almighty fuss! I use a make up brush with a little bit of Thornit powder on the end, get the dog to lay on its side with lots of tummy rubs and general fuss including around the head and ears and then dust inside the ears with the brush. Job done!
Re: Ears + almighty fuss! [quote author=heidrun link=topic=8949.msg127445#msg127445 date=1417337132] I use a make up brush with a little bit of Thornit powder on the end, get the dog to lay on its side with lots of tummy rubs and general fuss including around the head and ears and then dust inside the ears with the brush. Job done! [/quote] Thanks - I will try that. At the moment she won't let me near her ears with my hands if she suspects I'm after treating them but the make up brush is a great idea.
Re: Ears + almighty fuss! Get her used to having her ears brushed with the make up brush but without any Thornit on it first.
Re: Ears + almighty fuss! A helper with a a tube of Primula cheese is my answer to how to deal with those hard to get places and difficult tasks. ;D
Re: Ears + almighty fuss! Sounds tricky! Would you use something like Advocate? - you wouldn't need to go anywhere near the ear area.
Re: Ears + almighty fuss! There is a certain urgency to the situation you have to get this done whether she likes it or not, personally I would muzzle and just do it. When this is over and you have time is the time to try to desensitise her to having her ears touched. We had similar problem with a previous rescue corgi I had to do her ears whether she liked it or not so just got on with it, TBH she never liked me touching her ears but my husband did manage to desensitise her over a 6-8 month period and she was happy to let him do her ears from then on.
Re: Ears + almighty fuss! Oh poor Tatze, I know this won't help now but for the future it might. At every opportunity I massaged his ears on top and undernearth and a good old scratch and then clicker trained very slowly with an ear wipe just a quick wipe and built it up now he loves havig his ears thoroughly cleaned and no issues just a few treats. I love Heidrun's idea with the make up brush and cream cheese Hope Tatze is OK xx
Re: Ears + almighty fuss! [quote author=Julie1962 link=topic=8949.msg127543#msg127543 date=1417378627] There is a certain urgency to the situation you have to get this done whether she likes it or not, personally I would muzzle and just do it. When this is over and you have time is the time to try to desensitise her to having her ears touched. [/quote] No muzzle is needed as she doesn't growl - she just struggles so much we can not hold her! [quote author=charlie link=topic=8949.msg127581#msg127581 date=1417421862] Oh poor Tatze, I know this won't help now but for the future it might. At every opportunity I massaged his ears on top and underneath and a good old scratch and then clicker trained very slowly with an ear wipe just a quick wipe and built it up now he loves having his ears thoroughly cleaned and no issues just a few treats. [/quote] Yes - I am going to do exactly this! We are taught to mess with Gypsy's ears, eyes, teeth and paws every day as her owner won't be able to see and will have to do this sort of thing by feel. Why I didn't think Tatze needed it I do not know :. It's just that she's so biddable I assumed - WRONG! In the end I did the 'stealth make up brush' approach (thanks heidrun!) I had it behind my back and whipped in quickly in one ear - then the other after half an hour, but it was far from satisfactory. The make up brush is a great idea, but I need a calm dog!
Re: Ears + almighty fuss! At least you got the powder in Tatze's ears Mags that's the main thing. Good luck with the clicker training, it really worked so well with Charlie, for ears, paws, teeth cleaning etc. All these things are now associated with great treats x
Re: Ears + almighty fuss! [quote author=charlie link=topic=8949.msg127589#msg127589 date=1417422555] At least you got the powder in Tatze's ears Mags that's the main thing. Good luck with the clicker training, it really worked so well with Charlie, for ears, paws, teeth cleaning etc. All these things are now associated with great treats x [/quote] Yes - she is comfortable now, the stuff works. Clicker training begins today. Gypsy is going on her holidays for two weeks so we'll have plenty of time
Re: Ears + almighty fuss! [quote author=Boogie link=topic=8949.msg127586#msg127586 date=1417422309] [quote author=Julie1962 link=topic=8949.msg127543#msg127543 date=1417378627] There is a certain urgency to the situation you have to get this done whether she likes it or not, personally I would muzzle and just do it. When this is over and you have time is the time to try to desensitise her to having her ears touched. [/quote] No muzzle is needed as she doesn't growl - she just struggles so much we can not hold her! [quote author=charlie link=topic=8949.msg127581#msg127581 date=1417421862] Oh poor Tatze, I know this won't help now but for the future it might. At every opportunity I massaged his ears on top and underneath and a good old scratch and then clicker trained very slowly with an ear wipe just a quick wipe and built it up now he loves having his ears thoroughly cleaned and no issues just a few treats. [/quote] Yes - I am going to do exactly this! We are taught to mess with Gypsy's ears, eyes, teeth and paws every day as her owner won't be able to see and will have to do this sort of thing by feel. Why I didn't think Tatze needed it I do not know :. It's just that she's so biddable I assumed - WRONG! In the end I did the 'stealth make up brush' approach (thanks heidrun!) I had it behind my back and whipped in quickly in one ear - then the other after half an hour, but it was far from satisfactory. The make up brush is a great idea, but I need a calm dog! [/quote] Then just a case of holding her still, although personally I always muzzle when doing ears, none of mine would bite me but I think it's important they get used to one for things like this so if a vet needs to muzzle them they are not unused to the idea.
Re: Ears + almighty fuss! Gosh, I've never used a muzzle on any of my dogs, certainly not for doing ears or similar, nor have I ever had to use a muzzle at the vets.
Re: Ears + almighty fuss! [quote author=Karen link=topic=8949.msg127616#msg127616 date=1417431294] Gosh, I've never used a muzzle on any of my dogs, certainly not for doing ears or similar, nor have I ever had to use a muzzle at the vets. [/quote] I would hazard a guess you have never had rescues or terriers, we learned early on if you are not 100% sure muzzle is safest for the vet and the nurses. We have as I said never had a dog try to bite us but some do not take kindly to strangers poking them about when they aren't well.
Re: Ears + almighty fuss! Well, I have been playing with her ears every day since - looking in them, sniffing them, brushing them - not a flinch! I think it was that her ears were so sensitive and sore she didn't want anyone near them!
Re: Ears + almighty fuss! That's brilliant Mags, poor girl was in pain so didn't want her ears touch which is quite understandable x
Re: Ears + almighty fuss! That's good to hear Mags , I used to stroke Sams ears a lot as a puppy, purely because he loved it, sent him all silly , good job too because he has mites from time to time , Heidrun gave me the Thornit tip , magic stuff With Millie, although a terrier and a rescue , she lets me do absolutely anything to her very happily , apart from brushing her teeth , but that's another story
Re: Ears + almighty fuss! She's got ear mites again (where do they come from?) I was able to apply the powder, no trouble. I had a treat for her to lick/nibble and she saw the brush coming but stayed to have her medicine. Hurrah! **note to self, do not stop checking puppy's eyes and ears - they forget!**
