Reading the Context of Your Dog’s Cues
When you are trying to determine your dog’s message or emotional state, it’s extremely important to read their body language as a whole.
- Are their eyes focused or darting around?
- Are the facial muscles relaxed or tense?
- Are they standing erect, sitting, or crouched down?
These things can tell you a whole lot about your dog’s attitude at the moment. Ear position is only one piece of the puzzle.
Why Dogs Put Their Ears Back
There are several reasons why dogs put their ears back, and it can indicate various emotions, such as fear, submission, or even happiness. When a dog’s ears are flat against their head, it can be a sign of submission, indicating that they are feeling intimidated or uncertain about a situation. On the other hand, if a dog’s ears are perked up and alert, it often means they are happy, confident, or interested in what’s going on.
It’s important to note that every dog is unique and may exhibit different behaviours, and it’s crucial to observe the context and body language of your dog to get a better understanding of what they are trying to convey.
Below are common reasons for this behaviour:
Contentment
Dogs with naturally pointed ears often lay them back in their natural position when relaxed. It can indicate contentment if they are not pinned flat against their head.
If your dog is content, you will also see a relaxed look on their face, a loose stance, and their tail will be relaxed but not tucked between their legs.
Fear or Nervousness
This is the most well-understood reason for dogs putting their ears back. It can be a signal that they are uncertain or nervous about something. You will see other nervous body languages in conjunction with their ears moving back.
Nervous dogs may yawn and lick their lips, avoid eye contact, show the whites of their eyes, tuck their tail down, and posture their body away from whatever is making them nervous. Be aware that fear can quickly escalate to aggression if it’s not addressed.
Aggression
Dogs with their ears pinned close to their skull often give warning signals that they are about to bite. This move will also be accompanied by aggressive or fearful body language.
Other signs that a dog is becoming aggressive are growling, lip curling, hard staring, bristling fur, and lunging. It’s usually an instinct to protect themselves rather than to start a fight. If the trigger is removed, the behaviour most often de-escalates.
While it can be stressful to see your dog exhibit aggressive behaviour, it’s important not to punish it. Even if it doesn’t feel that way, you want your dog to give warning signals that they are about to bite. Punishing the warning signals, like a growl or snarl, only means that they won’t give them in the future. Once you lose the warning, your dog can jump straight to biting without telling you beforehand.
It’s best to look for the cause of the aggressive behaviour. For example, if your dog likes space but you are in a crowd of strange people, it may be a sign to remove them from the situation. You can always work on desensitizing your dog later to become more comfortable in crowds.
Illness or Injury
Dogs in pain often hold their ears back. It’s actually a fear response because they are scared of being hurt further when approached. Look for other indications that your dog is experiencing pain, as there will be more signs than just laying their ears back.
Listening
Dogs with pointy ears turn them in different directions to hear what’s happening around them. You’ll notice this if you are outside with your dog and someone yells from another direction. Your dog will turn their ears toward the voice in order to hear it.
Greeting You
Dogs typically fold their ears back, curl their bodies, and wag their tails when greeting their owners. It’s a sign that they are happy to see you.
The ears folded back are your dog’s way of welcoming you by getting close without appearing as a threat.
Greeting Other Dogs
Dogs use the same non-threatening body language when greeting other dogs as they do when they are greeting you. It’s particularly common in intact dogs who are trying to “court” a member of the opposite sex.
Other Indicators of a Dog’s Mood
The Tail
Just like the ears, a dog’s tail can communicate a lot. A relaxed tail indicates happiness, while a high-held, wagging tail indicates excitement. Contrary to popular belief, dogs wagging their tail aren’t always happy. It’s just a sign that they are ready to interact – not necessarily in a friendly manner.
Happy tails move in loose circles in a wide arc. The more curious or excited a dog is, the higher they will hold their tail.
High, erect tails indicate a dog that’s ready to react to something. They are alert and ready to pounce. You’ll see this type of tail posture in a dog who is about to chase after a squirrel, but also in a dog who feels threatened – so be aware.
A tail tucked between the legs in combination with pinned ears shows that a dog feels threatened or is afraid.
The Face
While dogs are capable of exhibiting over 100 different facial expressions, there are a few that are important to recognize.
“Whale eye,” or the appearance of the white part of your dog’s eyes, is associated with fear and stress. It’s a good idea to be cautious around a dog giving whale eyes as they are more likely to snap or bite.
Anxious eyes dart around, watching for threats. Once anxiety escalates into an aggressive response, the eyes move into a fixated stare.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the next time you see your dog’s ears go back, don’t be alarmed. It’s simply a way for them to communicate their feelings and emotions. By paying attention to the context and other body language cues, you can get a better understanding of what your furry friend is trying to tell you.
Whether it’s fear, happiness, or something else, every time your dog puts its ears back, it’s an opportunity to strengthen your bond and deepen your understanding of one another.
