Animals interact with us in a variety of ways, including vocalisation, posture, and movement. Most dog owners understand what it means when their pets wag their tails or bark at the delivery person. However, fewer pet parents understand what varied ear positions, such as dogs’ ears back, are communicating to us humans and what to watch for.
Learning to decipher your dog’s emotions through their ears will help you understand your pet and get a solid idea of their requirements. This is what it means when your dog’s ears return.
Why do dogs pull their ears back?
It may make you worried to watch your dog draw their ears back, as this can suggest that something has scared or upset them. However, there are several potential interpretations for this behaviour. You will eventually understand what they imply, and more importantly, what they mean for your particular pet. These are the emotions your pup may be experiencing when they pull their ears back.
Sad
When you turn to leave your beloved bud behind, you could notice them shifting their ears back in grief. However, do not overthink this. We hate to say it, but as soon as you close the door behind you, they will most likely fall asleep. It’s comforting to know in this circumstance that nothing is truly wrong, even if your pet experiences a brief bout of loneliness.
Scared
If the ears are drawn back and the tail is tucked, it indicates that fear or submissiveness is present. Pay close attention to body language when you feel Fido is terrified of a perceived attack (which is usually caused by the hoover or an incoming storm).
Anxious
For example, when your friend needs to go to the vet, they may squeeze their ears back. In some breeds, anxiety manifests itself as excessive licking, panting, or shaking. Nine times out of ten, you’ll understand what’s causing it and when to expect it.
Comfortable
Fortunately, ear pinning does not always mean a bad thing. It frequently tells you the opposite: that your dog is completely safe and at home. This can sometimes assist one dog signal to another that they are willing to surrender and let the other animal lead the engagement. There’s no need to be concerned if your dog shows deference; it simply demonstrates who is in charge at the moment.
Aggressive
A dog with its ears back can sometimes indicate that it is preparing to bite. This does not necessarily imply that you are the target; it could be another pet, but you should remove them as discreetly as possible. Pull your dog away if they are on a leash, or distract them with a command to divert their attention away from the source of their irritation.
Pain
Pinned ears can indicate that the body parts are hurting, so your furry companion has brought them back to relieve the ache. Alternatively, your friend may pin their ears if anxious over a bodily issue. If you can’t find another reason, you may need to explore whether they’ve been injured and take them to the vet if you discover anything wrong.
Neutral
While our pets’ ears flare up in excitement or to hear things better, they seem to prefer a pulled-back look for everyday ear wear. Some breeds always look like this, rendering ear position irrelevant in determining their emotions. However, in many cases, your pet will just retain their ears in a position that feels safe, comfortable, and natural to them, thus pinned back may be completely neutral. If this is the case, give them a little scritch behind the ears.
Dog ears tell us a lot about their moods and emotions. Because there are so many ear placements, it might be difficult to distinguish one from the other. At the end of the day, however, each animal is unique, and you’ll need to research your specific puppers to get a whole picture of their moods and ear locations. Once you get to know your dog, you’ll be an expert on all of their body language and can quickly discern their underlying mood from their ears.