As much as you’d like to, people can’t have a two-way conversation with their dogs (not yet anyway). Sometimes it would be helpful to know how your dog is feeling, and while you can’t ask him, you can try to interpret some of his body language. Dogs use body language to communicate with each other (among other things) and you can also use it to understand your dog’s mood.
Two of the body parts that are helpful in interpreting what your dog might be thinking are his ears. The position and direction of their ears can tell you if they are scared, relaxed, or curious about something. But like all signs of body language, their ears shouldn’t be interpreted on their own; you need to examine all of your dog’s body language to really understand what is going on.
A few pointers to dog ear positions
Canine ears come in many different shapes and sizes – prick, bat, drop, button, and pink, to name a few. And all of those shapes and sizes can make it a bit difficult to see exactly how your dog’s ears are positioned. Below, we’ve listed some of the general positions that dogs’ ears can be in, depending on their state of mind; but keep in mind that your the positions of the dog’s ears may look a little different. To help you assess the bigger picture, we’ve also included some of the body language signs commonly associated with each feeling.
Relaxed and happy
Life is good. If your dog is feeling friendly and calm, his ears will likely be in their normal position or tilted slightly to the side, and the ears will be relaxed. Sometimes they can also have their ears down and back, but they won’t be pressed against their head – they will be soft.
If they are feeling playful or excited, they may have high, perky ears. Erect ears can also be a harbinger of aggression, but if they’re feeling playful, the rest of their body language will be relaxed, not tense.
Body language signs of a friendly and relaxed dog include:
- Big googly eyes
- An open mouth that shows no teeth (they “smile”)
- The tail is down and relaxed
- A sweet face
- A loose and relaxed attitude
Listen and observe
More and more curious. If your dog hears or sees something interesting, his ears may be erect (perky) and facing forward. In some cases, they may be alert and listening to decide if there is something to be worried about: the distant sound of thunder, a barking from the dog next door. Other times it might be because they thought they heard the rustle of the treat bag. You may notice their ears move a bit as they listen as they adjust where the sound is coming from.
Body language signs of a dog being alert or listening include:
- A high tail
- Mouth open but not showing teeth
- Big alert eyes
- Watch intensely but nothing in particular (because they listen)
Frightened or anxious
What was that? If your dog is worried or scared, he will likely have his ears down and pulled back, or even flattened. Their body language will also tell you that something is seriously wrong.
Body language signs that your dog is showing fear or worry include:
- Tail stuck between their legs and not moving or moving just a little
- Body lowered with rear up and head closer to the ground
- Dilated pupils
- Panting
- They can submit completely by turning over to show their bellies
Aggressive
Step back! If your dog feels threatened and shows aggression, he will likely have his ears down and pressed against his head. Ears down and flat can mean scared or aggressive, but you can tell if they go from fearful to defensive (aggressive) if their body language changes. As mentioned earlier, raised or erect ears positioned forward can be a warning sign of aggression (they are on alert).
Body language signs of an aggressive dog include:
- Standing at full height and leaning forward
- Growl or growl
- Raised hackles
- defiant gaze
- Bared teeth
The position of your dog’s ears, facial expressions, sounds, other body language, and the situation should all be considered when interpreting what he is feeling. Of course, you probably won’t know for sure what they’re thinking, and every dog is different. You know your dog best, so by studying his body language, you can decide how he might feel about the situation.
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