Here's the next article in the series, this time covering issues of deaf puppies. While deafness is more common in old dogs, some puppies can be born deaf or may develop hearing problems as the result of injury or infections.

My article explains what you need to know regarding deafness in puppies, how to manage them, and make sure they have a happy life. You can train deaf puppies! And they can still be wonderful pets. Learn more here.

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Ear problems plague some puppies more than others. It doesn't even have to be an ear infection to cause distress. Sore ears arise from inflammation--the techie term is otitis--and you see reddened skin when it happens.

Otitis can make the ears itch, hurt, or both. That makes treating sore ears difficult. Nothing is quite so jarring to a new puppy owner than having the baby dog SCREAM when her ears are touched!

The latest article in my ear care series explains all about otitis and what to do. I hope you'll never have ear problems but here's what you need to know.

I love my Magic-dog's ears and thank goodness he's not yet had any ear infections. Those big German Shepherd "funnels" give him a distinctive look, are incredibly expressive to communicate with me and the world, and provide him with all the important sounds. But the same shape that helps direct sound deep into his hearing apparatus also can serve to attract and trap less desirable stuff. Dirt, grass, and bugs (among other things) can cause ear problems that lead to infections.

Do you know the signs of an ear infection? Do you know why your veterinarian might "sniff" your puppy's ears during an exam? What is that goopy stuff spilling out of the ears, and is the pup's dizzy behavior due to playful antics or something worse? Learn the answers to all these questions and more in my latest article about puppy ear infections.

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This month I have planned a whole series about puppy ears and hearing. Ears, sound sense and how puppies hear impacts not just the way your puppy looks but how he reacts to the world around him.

Are your puppy's ears floppy? Stand up straight? Slick-furred or wooly? How do you take care of them? With summer just around the corner and hot days (and maybe some swimming!) in Junior-Dog's future, now is a good time to learn about care options, warning signs, and just so good old fashion basic ear info. Learn how puppies hear and the way ears are structured in this new article.

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