Dog bites when I clean ears. Is he in pain? What should I do?

Question

My dog is very aggressive when I clean his ears & towards dogs. I tried distracting him with treats but he still tries to bite me. What should I do? Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 9 months and 25 days old

Angel Alvarado, LVT · Accepted Answer

If his ears are infected, it may cause pain which could make him bite. Have him seen by your vet to rule out infection or pain. You'll need to gradually desensitize him to having his ears handled. Gently pet his head and around the ears for progressively longer periods of time with breaks in between. Praise and reward him when he complies. A stern "No" should be the response when he doesn't comply. Consider a basic obedience class and making him "work" for everything. This can be as simple as having him sit before eating, playing, going out, etc. If all that fails, consider muzzle training and use a muzzle when ear cleaning is necessary.

Dog bites when I clean ears. Is he in pain? What should I do?

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