Any tips on how to get my German Shepherd to let me clean his ear?

[RainCaster]

17. Like PlutosHeart does. Use an ear cleaner and start with a few drops in the good ear.

Then rub it in real good. He will love the attention and the deep rubbing in his ear. Expect groans and a lean into you if you're doing it right. He will shake his ear as well, to help expel the dirt/grime. After you have done that a few times over a week or so, he will get better about letting you do this.

Then you can try to do the other ear. This time be more gentle and expect some pushback. Eventually you will have his trust as he sees that this attention has made his ears feel better. GSDs are very smart dogs, they will be quick to see that you are helping them.

Of course this is the home remedy, and you may need to get him in to the vet & a general anesthetic to do the ear/leg exam the first time. Bending his leg in the right way for the x-ray will be easier under a general unless he is very trusting. It sounds like that's not the case here.