Golden Retriever ears are one of those things owners can either ignore for too long or fuss with far too much.
Neither is ideal.
The breed’s floppy ears can trap warmth and moisture, especially after swimming or bathing, but that does not mean every healthy ear needs daily cleaning.
Routine care should be gentle, occasional and based on what the ear actually looks and smells like.
Writer Sophie Bennett looks at how to clean Golden Retriever ears safely, with perspective from professional dog trainer and behavior consultant Ali Smith.
How often should you clean a Golden Retriever’s ears?
There is no universal weekly rule.
Some healthy Goldens need very little cleaning. Others, particularly dogs that swim frequently or have a history of ear trouble, may need more regular attention.
The goal is not to keep the ear canal scrubbed spotless. Overcleaning can irritate the skin and make things worse.
Check the ears routinely and clean when there is visible wax or debris, or when your veterinarian has recommended a schedule for that individual dog.
What should a healthy Golden Retriever ear look like?
A healthy ear should generally look clean, pale pink and comfortable.
A small amount of wax can be normal.
What I would not ignore is:
- strong or unusual odor;
- dark, thick or pus-like discharge;
- marked redness;
- swelling;
- frequent head shaking;
- scratching at the ears;
- pain when the ear is touched;
- the dog suddenly becoming reluctant to have their head handled.
Those signs can point to infection, inflammation, allergies, foreign material or another medical problem.
Cleaning harder is not the answer.
What should you use to clean Golden Retriever ears?
Use a veterinary ear-cleaning solution intended for dogs.
Your veterinarian can recommend one that makes sense for your dog, especially if they have recurrent ear problems.
Avoid improvising with harsh household products, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or random essential-oil mixtures.
The skin inside the ear is delicate.
How to clean a Golden Retriever’s ears
Keep the process calm and simple.
- Have your ear cleaner, cotton pads or gauze and treats ready before you start.
- Lift the ear flap gently.
- Apply the cleaner according to the product instructions.
- Massage the base of the ear gently for several seconds.
- Let your dog shake their head.
- Wipe away loosened debris from the visible outer part of the ear.
Do not push cotton swabs deep into the ear canal.
You are cleaning what you can safely reach, not excavating.
Should you pour ear cleaner into the canal?
Many veterinary ear cleaners are designed to be applied into the canal and then massaged at the base of the ear.
Follow the instructions for the specific product and your veterinarian’s guidance.
If the ear is painful, very inflamed, has heavy discharge or you suspect a ruptured eardrum, do not keep experimenting at home.
Get the ear examined.
How do you make ear cleaning easier?
Do not wait until your dog has a painful ear infection before introducing ear handling.
Practice when nothing is wrong.
Touch the ear flap, reward. Lift it briefly, reward. Handle around the base of the ear, reward. Let your dog see and sniff the bottle.
Build cooperation before you need it.
This is exactly the same principle I use with nail care and grooming: handling is much easier when the dog has learned that participation is safe and predictable.
Our Golden Retriever grooming guide covers the wider routine.
What if my Golden hates ear cleaning?
Slow down.
If the dog is frightened but the ears are healthy, break the process into smaller steps and build positive associations.
If the dog suddenly starts resisting when they previously tolerated ear handling, consider pain.
A behavior change around touch is sometimes the first sign that something physically hurts.
Do Golden Retrievers get ear infections easily?
They can be prone to ear problems.
Floppy ears, swimming, moisture, allergies and skin disease can all contribute.
Repeated infections should not simply be treated as a cleaning problem.
If your Golden keeps developing ear infections, your veterinarian may need to investigate the underlying cause.
Should you clean ears after swimming?
For dogs prone to ear trouble, drying and appropriate post-swim ear care can be useful.
That does not mean automatically pouring cleaner into every Golden’s ears after every paddle.
If your dog swims frequently, ask your veterinarian what routine makes sense for their history.
Why do my Golden Retriever’s ears smell?
A mild doggy smell is one thing.
A strong yeasty, musty or foul odor is different.
Odor combined with redness, discharge, scratching or head shaking deserves veterinary attention.
Our guide to why Golden Retrievers smell covers other common sources of odor too.
Related care guides: For wider coat care, read how to groom a Golden Retriever; if odor is the concern, see why Golden Retrievers smell; and for broader health context, use our Golden Retriever health guide.
Useful external reading: VCA’s veterinary ear-cleaning guide covers suitable cleaners, why cotton swabs are a bad idea, and when painful or inflamed ears should be examined before you clean them.
The bottom line
Golden Retriever ears should be checked regularly but not obsessively cleaned.
Use an appropriate ear cleaner, stay in the visible parts of the ear, and build cooperative handling before you need it.
Most importantly, know when to stop cleaning and start investigating.
Odor, discharge, redness, pain and repeated ear trouble are medical clues, not evidence that you need a stronger cotton pad.