Ears Forward: Convey confidence and attentiveness. A dog with ears forward is on high alert. They’re eager and engaged in their surroundings, indicating their fearlessness and confidence. This can also signal curiosity, excitement, or anticipation for an activity they enjoy, like a game of fetch.
Ears Back but Not Flattened: Suggests appeasement or a non-threatening stance. This ear position can often be seen when a dog is trying to communicate to other dogs or people that they mean no harm and wish to keep the peace. If you see a dog with its ears back but not flattened, they’re trying to avoid conflict.
Ears Back and Flattened: Indicates fear or an aggressive response to a threat. This is a clear indicator that the dog is feeling scared or under attack. Ears that are flattened back could be a dog’s response to an intimidation or fear-inducing situation.
Ears Semi-Erect, Turned Outward: The dog is alert and listening, optimizing sound localization. Dogs with their ears in this position are optimizing their ability to discern the origin of sounds. This ear position increases the capability to pinpoint the source of a sound, showing an alert state.
8. Ears Flattened Back: Often a sign of fear or a defensive response. If a dog’s ears are flattened back, they are likely feeling threatened or scared. It’s a universal sign of distress in the canine world. This is usually a response to a fear-inducing stimulus, and the dog might be getting ready to defend itself if necessary.
Airplane Ears: Indicate a state of conflict or uncertainty in dogs. A dog exhibiting airplane ears is likely feeling confused or conflicted. This could be due to a seemingly complicated command or an unclear situation. A dog may display this ear position when presented with a choice between two equally appealing options, such as two different treats.
Natural Relaxed State: For some dogs, Airplane Ears are a relaxed, natural position. This simply means the dog is at ease and comfortable in its surroundings. Not all dog breeds have ears that will naturally position in the ‘airplane’ shape when relaxed, but for those that do, it’s a clear sign that they’re confident and secure in their environment.
Erect-Alert Ear Position: Signifies alertness and attention. Just like humans, dogs have their ways of showing that they’re paying attention, and erect ears are one of them. When a dog’s ears are perked upright, they’re fully engaged in whatever is happening around them, keen on picking up every detail.
Dog Ears Language
Dog Ear Position
Meaning
Pinch Ear
Visible in floppy-eared dogs, signifies extreme stress or fear, with ears turned parallel to the face.
Seal Ears
Ears pressed so far back they are hardly visible, indicating fear or submission.
Relaxed Ears
Ears in a neutral, non-alert position, indicating a relaxed state.
Varied Ears Back Positions
Changes depending on the dog’s state of arousal or emotional context.
Ears Back in Play
Can indicate excitement and engagement in play.
Ears Back in Aggression
May be part of an aggressive display or threat.
Ears Angled Back for Listening
Suggests the dog is paying attention to sounds or events behind it.
Ears in Neutral Position
Indicate a calm, unaroused state.
Dog Ear Language
‘If you don’t own a dog, at least one, there is not necessarily anything wrong with you, but there may be something wrong with your life.’ (Roger A. Caras)
Interpreting Dog Ear Positions: Neutral and Calm States
Dogs use their ears as a means to express their emotional state clearly. For instance, when their ears are in a relaxed or neutral position, it indicates just that – they are comfortable and at ease.
A dog with ears angled back in a listening position might be tuning into sounds or events happening behind it. It’s not a sign of alarm, but of focused attention. When a dog’s ears are in what’s termed a ‘neutral position,’ this communicates that the dog is calm, unaroused, and in a state of equilibrium.
Understanding Dog Ears: Arousal, Play and Aggression
In unpacking the cryptic universe of dog ear positions, it becomes abundantly clear that these subtle movements are their unique language tools.
By understanding this language, we can ensure better communication with our furry friends, ultimately fostering a more harmonious relationship and environment.
However, always remember that all dogs are different and context matters.
A dog’s ear position can provide clues about how they’re feeling, but it’s the entire animal – their body language, actions, and behaviors – that gives full meaning to these cues.
Ears can signal a lot about an animal’s mood or intent, especially when it comes to aggressive situations.
For instance, there’s such a thing as “Agonistic Pucker,” where the ears take on a certain formation during a threat or aggressive stance. Likewise, when the commisures (corners) of the ears are positioned far forward, this can be interpreted as a heightened display of aggression.
An ear’s position can be part of an assertive or confrontational posture, like in the case of a direct stare from the creature. You may also notice a creature’s ears taking on an aggressive stance, often paired with other aggressive body language cues.
Furthermore, a more controlled or toned-down form of aggression can be portrayed by the ears in what’s known as “Ritualized Aggression”, the auditory organs take part in displays that mimic fighting without actually escalating to physical combat.
Signs of Fear, Stress, and Submission in Ear Movements
Keep in mind that not all ear movements are about aggression. Sometimes, they depict fear, stress, or even submission.
For example, when an animal shows a “Whale Eye,” which is generally combined with its ears moving back, it signals either stress or fear. I
f you perceive the creature turning its head with its ears in a specific disposition, it could be signalling conflict or its attempt to avoid something.
When an animal’s ears demonstrate submissive behavior, it usually forms part of a gesture expressing appeasement or an effort to submit to a more dominant creature.
Playful and Excited Ear Movements
Then there are the more uplifting, energetic ear formations. Does your pet or the animal you’re observing seem to leap playfully with its ears bouncing around?
Ears flapping
This denotes an air of excitement and playful intent. By observing and understanding these actions, one can gauge a creature’s mood and respond accordingly.
To sum up, by paying attention to the subtle changes in an animal’s ear positions, you can gather valuable insights into what it may be feeling or intending to do next.
Understanding Dogs’ Ears and Aggression
Aggression in dogs can be conveyed and understood through their ear movements.
Defensive aggression is seen when a dog feels threatened, and their ears accompany this defensive behavior.
Predatory aggression is often shown with erect and focused ears during hunting or chasing. Ears also factor in proximity sensitivity, reacting when other animals are too close.
Physical punishment might elicit a defensive ear posture, this is known as punishment-elicited aggression.
Ears can also indicate redirected aggression when the dog changes focus from a primary to a secondary target.
When a dog is resource guarding, their ears are alert and indicate a protective stance over resources.
Resource Guarding – ears erect, attentive
In territorial aggression, ears display protective behavior in a home territory. In trained aggression, dogs show focused and intense alertity, usually on command. In social interactions, the position of ears can vary depending on social context and level of aggression.
Submissive-aggressive behavior is when ears show conflict between submissive posture and aggressive intent.
Dogs’ Ears in Playful and Dominant Behaviors
In a more playful context, dogs’ ears change rapidly during intense play that could escalate to aggression.
During allelomimetic behavior, a dog’s ears can mirror the ear positions of other dogs in their group.
Allogrooming involves relaxed or varied ear positions during mutual grooming behaviors.
Dominance in dogs can also be signified through their ear movements.
Ears reflect the dominant or submissive role in a social hierarchy during alpha displays.
An ‘Alpha Roll‘ is a submissive or appeasing signal in social interactions and the position of a dog’s ears indicate this.
Kennel Communication: Dogs’ Ears and Social Interactions
In the canine world, ear positions play crucial roles in communicating different behaviors and intentions.
For instance, social aggression features varied ear positions based on the social context and the level of aggression. Submissive-aggressive behaviors also showcase a conflict between a submissive ear posture and an aggressive intent.
When dogs participate in play that may lead to aggression, their ears change positions rapidly, an action common in play escalation.
Take another scenario: allelomimetic behavior, where dogs’ ears can mimic the positions of other dogs within the group.
Group dynamics also see significant changes during allogrooming, where the position of dogs’ ears can be relaxed or varied during mutual grooming behaviors.
The ‘Alpha roll’ also manifests in the position of dogs’ ears, indicating submission and appeasement in their social interactions.
