Understanding your dog’s behavioral cues, or body language, is crucial for building a strong bond with your furry companion. While some signals are quite obvious, others may require more attention to decipher. Among these subtle signs, the position of your dog’s ears can reveal a lot about their emotions. However, it’s essential to consider the overall body language to accurately interpret their feelings.
For instance, dogs with long, pendulous ears, like Bloodhounds, cannot move their ears flat against their head. In such cases, observing other signals alongside ear position becomes even more critical. Here are some reasons why your dog may put their ears back and how to interpret their body language accordingly.
Contentment
Dogs that are naturally relaxed often have their ears laid back in their natural position. If your dog’s ears are back but not pinned flat against their skull, they might be expressing contentment. Other signs of relaxation include a soft face, a loose and relaxed stance, and a tail that is down but not curled between their legs.
Fear/Nervousness
A dog’s fear or nervousness can also be indicated by their ears being pulled back. This cue becomes more evident when accompanied by other fearful body language cues. A fearful or anxious dog may exhibit additional signs such as yawning, lip licking, avoiding eye contact, ‘whale eye’, holding their tail down close to their body, crouching low, and/or posturing their body away from the source of their anxiety.
Illness/Injury
Dogs may hold their ears back due to pain or fear of further injury. In rare cases, an ear infection may cause discomfort, leading to this behavior. Since a dog’s ears are highly vascular, scratching or shaking an itchy ear too hard can result in a burst blood vessel, causing a puffy, pillowy appearance known as aural hematomas. These require veterinary attention to drain the blood and treat the underlying ear infection.
Listening
Sometimes, a dog may draw its ears back simply to better hear something happening behind them. This behavior is straightforward to understand and typically doesn’t indicate any particular emotion.
Warning
A dog holding their ears back, especially if pinned down flat, may signal an impending bite. This warning sign often coincides with fearful or aggressive body language. Other signs that a dog is being pushed towards biting may include growling, snarling, lip curling, hard stares, bristling fur, and lunging. It’s crucial to avoid punishing your dog for these warning behaviors, as it may prevent them from giving any warning before biting next time. Instead, focus on identifying and addressing the underlying cause of their discomfort.
In conclusion, understanding your dog’s body language, including ear position, is vital for fostering a strong relationship with your pet. While some cues are intuitive, others require more attention and consideration of the overall body language. If you need more information on decoding your dog’s behavior, consult a qualified canine behaviorist for guidance.