Why Do Dogs Put Their Ears Back When Petting Them?

When a dog is trying to convey information, they will use various signs and signals which are at their disposal. They can make vocalizations such as barking, whining and even growling. However, much of their communication is based on non-auditory signals. Their ears are particularly expressive and their movement is easily understood by other dogs.

Not all dogs have the same types of ears. Certain dog breeds were crossed to result in dogs with different physical characteristics, including a specific ear-type. For example, Basset Hounds have very distinctive long drooping ears which contrast starkly to a Chihuahua's short and erect ears. Although the movement of the former can be more difficult to discern, dog ear movement usually conforms to the same principles. Examples include:

• Ears erect and slightly tilted forward: indicates the dog is paying attention to some stimulus and trying to interpret its meaning. If the stimulus gets too much of their attention, the animal may turn their head to either side.
• Ears erect and tilted very far forward: this ear position implies the dog is very alert. They can also show an offensive attitude towards certain stimuli, such as a potential prey animal. If the animal then stares intently, wrinkles their snout and bares their teeth, it means they are preparing to attack.
• Ears erect, tail up, body leaning forward: this offensive position usually indicates the dog is highly alert and ready to attack. It can happen when one dog is dominant to another. We can also observe the bristling of their hair hair, rigid extremities and very dilated pupils.
• Ears Back: a dog will often flatten their ears back when they are feeling fearful or insecure. If the animal also lowers their head, puts their tail between their legs and keep their eyes half open, it means they are quite scared.
• Ears backwards and body crouched: if we observe the dog with their ears backwards, body hunched, fur bristling and mouth wide open, the dog is displaying a posture of defensive aggressiveness.

As we have explained, each dog has unique ears with special characteristics. We must be able to differentiate a relaxed position the animal adopts when they are calm from when they are trying to communicate. This is something we can see when dogs put their ears back, something we explain in more detail in the following section.

It is also vital we look at the context of the circumstance to best interpret what they are trying to tell us. If the dog is in a stressful situation, it is more likely their ear movement will reflect their environment. When the situation is more relaxed, a similar signal can have a different interpretation.

Some of the body language dogs use is known as ‘calming signals’. These are signs the dogs use when they feel threatened by someone or something. They are important signals which need to be respected as they can lead to aggression if the dog feels sufficiently threatened.

If your dog is constantly making calming signals, it means they are either stressed or suffering from a health problem. They feel threatened and insecure, something which can lead to aggression. You will need to take them to a veterinarian or canine ethologist to asses their physical and emotional well-being.

When we want to know why a dog is putting their ears back when we pet them, the same caveats apply. We need to look at the context of the situation, the state of well-being of the dog and any other pertinent factors.

If we are on the sofa and the dog has laid down beside you, you may see them put their ears back when you pet them. This allows you to continue petting them down the neck and to their body. It is a sure sign the dog is relaxed and completely secure around you. In this case, the calming signal is one which indicates well-being, contentment and pleasure.

Conversely, we can find situations where flattened ears can mean something else. One example is when meeting a dog for the first time. If you approach them and they step back from you, but you are able to pet their head, they may put their ears back out of trepidation. It doesn't necessarily mean they are scared, simply that they are cautious around someone new.

On all occasions, we need to be careful to ensure we observe closely for any changes in their body language. This is especially the case if the dog is being skittish or withdrawn. If a dog not only puts their ears back when we pet them, but also crouches down and puts their tail between their legs, their posture indicates fear. It could be due to how we are petting them or some other reason, but we need to stop.

We need to ensure we do not pet the dog inappropriately. This will depend on the individual, but there are some parts of the body dogs prefer to be petted over others. We shouldn't interrupt their rest just to pet them or force petting at any time they do not want it. Generally, you will need to establish a bond with the dog. This requires respecting their animal welfare, learning their personality and taking care of their practical and psychological needs.

As stated above, not all dogs have the same type of ears. They can be of varying sizes, shapes, colors and amount of hairiness. They are fascinating and each dog will have their own relationship to their ears, something we need to respect.

Here, we look ar some facts about the ears of dogs to help us know how to best provide this level of respect:

1. Dogs have more than 18 muscles in their ears: the well-developed musculature of their ears allows dogs to develop a huge range of movements and positions that demonstrate their state of mind in the face of different stimuli offered by their environment.
2. Dog ears are associated with the balance: as with human beings, the ears of dogs also play a fundamental role in maintaining balance. For this reason, infections that affect the inner ear often lead to problems with balance and locomotion.
3. Dogs can hear up to 4 times better than humans: our canines have very privileged hearing and hear higher frequencies than us, although not as high as felines can detect. This explains why many whistles that are imperceptible to us can arouse the attention of our pets.
4. Dogs tilt their heads to extend their hearing range: as dogs tilt their heads when we speak, it often makes them look adorable. However, there is a very practical reason for this. It allows them to better distinguish sounds from a distance.
5. Puppies are born deaf: at birth, puppies still have a plugged ear canal and only begin to hear after the first few weeks of life.
6. Dogs use their ears to express themselves and communicate: our dog friends did not develop the ability to speak, but they are able to communicate perfectly well with people, other animals and dogs. Their ears, tail, facial expressions and body posture are instruments of socialization, learning and communication.

With this context in mind, we want to end by stressing the importance of not cropping dog ears or docking their tails. Proponents of these practices claim they provide benefits, many of which are historically related to hunting and even dog fighting. These supposed benefits are either non-existent or completely insufficient when compared to the negative consequences. It is banned in most of Europe and many other countries, but is not illegal in most of North America.

By cropping the ears of dogs and docking their tails, it makes it more difficult for us to discern their communication. It is also unnecessary mutilation which can hinder their hearing.

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