So for the second time shadow has an ear infection/mites, you know the brown buildup in one of his ears. I've made a habit ever since the first time to routinely smell around his ears, and if it isn't fresh (neutral husky), I start looking. How often if at all do yours get ear issues?

Also, he knows the cleaning bottle and hides and if I do catch him he turns upside down so I can't get to his ears.. too smart

We've had Ami a little over a year and never anything but pretty pink neutral ears. But, if its mites you're dealing with, I use revolution for heartworm and fleas...it also protects against a few kinds of mites...

i have an ongoing issue with Jacks right ear the vet can't seem to clear up, i just clean it now daily, and he hates me. brown scabby stuff on the top part of the inside of the ear where all the ridges are, not down in the canal.

Try colloidal silver, it's brilliant stuff. Dogs can build up an immunity to antibiotics and vet treatments lose their efficacy over time.

http://ottawavalleydogwhisperer.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/colloidal-silver-diy-treatment-for-dogs.html

Diz has issues off and on. It's usually due to either a food reaction, or getting water in his ears. In the summer he really likes to play in the water, so he'd get water in there and not be able to shake it all out so it would get smelly and gross. His left ear always seems worse, and I noticed that he sleeps a lot on his left side, so it just doesn't get enough air. I used this stuff called "vet's best" that I got from amazon and it is natural with clove oil in it. I use it once or twice with a bunch of cotton balls, and it normally clears things up after just one day. It works really well, after the vet's best, I would take a couple alcohol wipes (got those at the pharmacy) and use them to get the last of the medicine and gunk out, and alcohol is drying so it helps kill bacteria as it evaporates the moisture in the ears. I might have to try the colloidal silver, that is a great idea as well!