Puppy tantrums - normal or worrying?

[Shouldof]

I have a nearly 16 week old mini schnauzer who from 8 weeks showed a lovely and tolerant nature but a couple of weeks ago he got an ear infection and really did not like the drops and next time we tried to give them we got a full on tantrum with thrashing and attempts at biting. He has been back to the vets for ear cleaning twice since and was the same both times, although they did get him calm and allowing work to be done at the end of the last session.

He is my first dog and I have read mixed comments about both how to deal with it and whether it is normal or a bad sign for future aggression.

I'm prepared to put whatever work in is necessary and will be effective but I want to be doing the right thing and I am now starting to lose a it of trust and worry, I have children who adore him and I can't spend 12/years worrying he will snap.

Any thoughts or experience?

Thank you

I totally wouldn't worry about it, he's a baby and people keep doing not nice stuff to his ears...

I'd just spend some time gradually rebuilding his trust about people fiddling with his ears.

Our Mini Schnauzie is nearly 2 now, and such a gorgeous soppy boy still but I do envy you your schnauzie baby! I certainly wouldn't worry about his reaction. He was hurting and afraid and reacted in the only way he knew how. Our Reg has only done that once, and we later discovered that he had a very sore tummy. Try to get him used to you handing his ears and hopefully he will react less next time. Schnauzies are the best!

Our SpringerX gets manky ears but it's never gone passed the head shaking stage which we take as a sign they need a good clean. I just use a tissue (dry or with some olive oil) and rub it gently around the folds of his ear avoiding anywhere near the eardrum. When we first started (around 11 weeks) we gave him a carrot to munch on while we did his ears with lots of praise.
Would your shnauzer like to munch something while you clean them?

I always prescribe anti-inflammatories or analgesics for ear infections as I know how intensely painful and irritating they can be.
He certainly sounds to be at the upper end of the snappy/reactive scale, but I a) wouldn't panic; b) don't think there's much you can do to change his personality (which you describe as generally tolerant anyway, so that's good); and c) would keep an absolutely eagle eye on his ears and have them regularly cleaned and plucked. If drops are ever needed - any signs of head-shaking or more than the odd ear-scratch, work with your vet to ensure that you are able to adhere to the full course. The last thing you need is a refractory grumbling otitis that is somewhat resistant to treatment.