What IS That Smell? Have you ever been cuddling your dog, enjoying a sweet moment and smelled something…funky? You looked around, checked your shoes, your dog's feet and then you realize it is their EARS! Dirty dogs ears can have a yeasty, almost sickly sweet smell or like the nastiest old sneakers ever. Dirty ears can also warrant a trip to the vet, in the case of infections or severe buildups, which is why it's important to use our natural dog ear cleaner.