As dog parents, we’ve all been through that uneasy moment when we ask ourselves, “how do I manage to clean my dog’s ears without harming him?” There are certain risks we might start thinking about, such as getting water inside your dog’s ears or using a product with harsh chemicals that might irritate his sensitive skin. However, ignoring the fact that you need to clean your dog’s ears shouldn’t be an option since buildup of wax and debris may cause your dog to develop an ear infection and hearing damage. Common signs of an ear infection are head shaking and scratching at the ears; red, inflamed ears; ear discharge; and if your dog cries whenever you touch his ears.