What are your dog’s ears telling you?
Dogs have super expressive ears, and they can give you lots of clues about how your dog is feeling. But don’t rely on ears alone—always check out the rest of their body too, because ear signals can sometimes be a bit tricky to read.
Dogs pull their ears back in different ways depending on how excitable or ‘aroused’ they are. For example, they might lay their ears back when they’re thrilled to see you or press them flat against their head if they’re scared. In really intense fear, their ears can be so tucked back they almost vanish!
On the flip side, ears that are forward usually mean your dog’s interested, confident, and paying attention. If their ears stick out to the sides like little wings (aka “aeroplane ears”), it can mean they’re feeling unsure or conflicted. Even dogs with floppy ears will perk them up a bit when they’re curious or excited.
So next time you walk through the door and your dog runs up with ears forward, tail wagging, and a big smile, you can bet they’re delighted to see you. As they get closer, they might pull their ears back a little—still wagging and happy—which is their way of showing affection and trying to please you.
Common Dog Ear Position Meanings
Even though it’s easier to read dogs with erect, pointy ears, all dogs use their ears to express themselves. Here’s a quick guide:
Ears relaxed, not pulled back or forwards. This dog is feeling comfortable and relaxed. Look at the rest of their body language to confirm this.
Ears up and maybe forwards: This dog is alert, listening and ready to move. They may have one ear up and the other semi alert, too.
Ears rotated: Ears that are rotated in different directions may mean that they are tuning into sounds from different places.
Ears up and tightly held forwards, possibly almost touching: Your dog is very attentive and waiting for something positive to happen.
Ears held back and down: Submission or stress. As the ears are held tightly back, this dog is likely to be feeling stressed, which may be through submission or fear. This kind of fear can lead to aggression.
Helping your reactive dog
Dogs hear far better than we do in the higher frequency ranges, so they’ll often pick up on things before we even notice. If your reactive dog suddenly shifts their ears—either forward and stiff or pulled way back—and their body and mouth look tense, pause and figure out what might be setting them off. It could be another dog, a person, a noise, or even something you are doing.
When that happens, give them space or redirect their attention to something else. The more you tune into what their ears are saying, the better you’ll get at helping them stay calm and confident.
Please note: If your dog is showing unusual ear postures, such as one ear held down, tilting the head slightly, or even losing their balance, they may have an ear infection or other ear health issue. Ears are very sensitive, so examine them carefully and consider making an appointment with your vet.
Want help spotting other body language cues or working on reactivity training? Please read my other blogs at www.fidobehaviour.com/blog.hy
