Top 5 Reasons when dogs have their ears back

Dogs cannot communicate with words, yet they may share with us through body language. However, some of our preconceptions about typical dog behaviours, such as tail-wagging, may not always be correct. 

 

To obtain the real meaning of your dog, you must look at numerous physical indications, such as eyes, ears, mouth, and overall body posture.

 

One often misinterpreted behaviour is when a dog holds his ears back. Many people believe that when a dog’s ears are back, he feels guilty or shows submission. 

 

However, this is not always the case. Many different emotions may cause a dog to hold its ears back, including fear, anxiety, or happiness.

 

If you want to know what your dog is feeling, pay attention to all of his body language cues, not just one behaviour. Only by considering the whole picture will you be able to interpret your dog’s emotions accurately.

 

What Are the Emotional Signals Your Dog’s Ears Are Providing You?

 

Puppy’s ear tips drawn close to the head are generally associated with negative feelings. Here, we explain the Top 5 Reasons when dogs have their ears back

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Sadness:

Sadness is one potential cause, as dogs’ ears are frequently tucked close to the head’s sides. That occurs when a favorite person leaves. I once witnessed a dog do this while watching his puppy pals play, but he was on a leash and couldn’t join them.

 

Fear:

Pulled-back dog ears may often signify anxiety. That is especially true if it’s combined with other face and body expressions linked with this feeling. Their hunched-down posture, lowered tail, ears back, panting, yawning, lip-licking, avoidance of eye contact and efforts to hide, escape or flee.

It’s crucial to note that every dog responds differently to fear, and they may only display a fraction of these signs. This tail stiffness or physical tension, shaking, a furrowed brow, whale eye, squinting, narrowed eyes or pulling the corners of the mouth back are all seen in some dogs.

 

Anxiety:

When dogs are nervous, they may put their ears back, which is frequently observed with different body language such as tongue flicks, panting, muscular tension, and other indications of worry.

 

That is a typical response from dogs who must travel in the vehicle and dislike it or dogs carrying too many children. When you’re stroking your dog, you may notice them doing this, which indicates they aren’t having a good time.

 

Appeasement:

The ideal posture for a dog’s ears is when they are in their natural resting position. It typically indicates that the dog is feeling relaxed and comfortable. However, when a dog pulls its ears back to appear smaller or less threatening, it may be a sign of appeasement.

 

Appeasement is a submissive behavior dogs use to diffuse conflict or avoid aggression. It’s similar to when humans put their hands up in surrender. Dogs may use appeasement when they are unsure of what to do or when they feel threatened.

 

For example, a dog may pull his ears back when meeting a new person or animal. He is trying to show that he is not a threat and is hoping to defuse the situation.

 

Danger:

When a dog’s ears are pulled back tight against his head, it may signify that he is feeling threatened or is about to attack. It is often seen in dogs who are guarding their food or toys. 

 

If you see a dog with his ears pulled back in this way, it’s best to give him some space and not approach him.

 

Happiness (Additional):

Believe it or not, a dog can also pull his ears back when feeling happy or excited. That is often seen when dogs play with each other or when they see their owner. If you see your dog’s ears pulled back, it’s a good sign that he is enjoying himself.

 

Conclusion

As you can see, many different emotions may cause a dog to hold its ears back. If you want to know what your dog is feeling, pay attention to all body language cues, not just one behavior. Only by considering the whole picture will you be able to interpret your dog’s emotions accurately.