is pulling the ears back submissive?

Smith3 · 11-25-2012, 10:25 PM

The "seal face" of pulling the ears back when going in to rub a GSD head, is it a sign of submission?

msvette2u · 11-25-2012, 10:31 PM

Yes but it is normal and natural for dogs to do it...you'd need to also look at the entire body language, not just the ears.
It's normal too for dogs to put their ears back in displeasure too - which is why it's important to know the body language.

What else is going on with the dog when this is happening? Whose dog is it?

Smith3 · 11-26-2012, 01:38 PM

No just curious. Petting my GSD, just the typical "seal face"

msvette2u · 11-26-2012, 01:48 PM

There's a dog body language book you might find interesting, I forget the name.

As you can see on this site - How to Interpret Your Dog's Body Language, Facial Expressions and Vocalizations
Dog's pull their ears back for many reasons, which is why it's important to look at the whole picture and not just the ears.

gaia_bear · 11-26-2012, 01:59 PM

That's a great link, thanks

Kyleigh · 11-26-2012, 02:35 PM

Whenever I come home and let Ky out of her crate her ears go back, tail starts wagging and she's eager to go out! She does the same thing every time she sees my dad!

pets4life · 11-26-2012, 10:00 PM

i dont think it means submission my dog pputs its ears back to my cat when it greets my cat i think its just a friendly greeting

but it can also be nasty sometimes they will put their ears back before they bite

submission is more peeing on the spot tail between legs or belly up

Smith3 · 11-26-2012, 10:15 PM

i guess i don't mean submissive in being scared, but submissive to a pack leader

pets4life · 11-26-2012, 10:19 PM

well my fat house cat is not my dogs pack leader thats for sure lol my dog is a very dominant bitch. Its just a friendly gesture.

marshies · 11-26-2012, 10:36 PM

My dog does it when she's cuddly, sleepy, and happy. She does it when people pet her.

11-25-2012, 10:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
Smith3 Elite Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Falls Church, Virginia Posts: 1,820	is pulling the ears back submissive? The "seal face" of pulling the ears back when going in to rub a GSD head, is it a sign of submission? __________________ Java Haus Juris, CGC - 6/2/2012 Kessey "Koch" Von der Sauk - 10/26/2008 - 04/23/2011 - Pronounced "Coke"

11-26-2012, 01:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
Smith3 Elite Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Falls Church, Virginia Posts: 1,820	No just curious. Petting my GSD, just the typical "seal face" __________________ Java Haus Juris, CGC - 6/2/2012 Kessey "Koch" Von der Sauk - 10/26/2008 - 04/23/2011 - Pronounced "Coke"

11-26-2012, 01:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
gaia_bear Master Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 585	That's a great link, thanks __________________ Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole - Roger Caras Courtney M. Gaia-GSD 03/09/2012

11-26-2012, 02:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
Kyleigh Elite Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Ontario Posts: 1,315	Whenever I come home and let Ky out of her crate her ears go back, tail starts wagging and she's eager to go out! She does the same thing every time she sees my dad! __________________ Marion’s Zoo-Kyleigh, London-cat, Echo-TAG, Ellie-Quaker; www.marionsquilts.com

11-26-2012, 10:15 PM	#8 (permalink)
Smith3 Elite Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Falls Church, Virginia Posts: 1,820	i guess i don't mean submissive in being scared, but submissive to a pack leader __________________ Java Haus Juris, CGC - 6/2/2012 Kessey "Koch" Von der Sauk - 10/26/2008 - 04/23/2011 - Pronounced "Coke"

11-25-2012, 10:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
msvette2u Banned Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Beautiful Pacific NW Posts: 11,005	Yes but it is normal and natural for dogs to do it...you'd need to also look at the entire body language, not just the ears. It's normal too for dogs to put their ears back in displeasure too - which is why it's important to know the body language. What else is going on with the dog when this is happening? Whose dog is it?

11-26-2012, 01:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
msvette2u Banned Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Beautiful Pacific NW Posts: 11,005	There's a dog body language book you might find interesting, I forget the name. As you can see on this site - How to Interpret Your Dog's Body Language, Facial Expressions and Vocalizations Dog's pull their ears back for many reasons, which is why it's important to look at the whole picture and not just the ears.

11-26-2012, 10:00 PM	#7 (permalink)
pets4life Elite Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Kingston Ontario Posts: 1,193	i dont think it means submission my dog pputs its ears back to my cat when it greets my cat i think its just a friendly greeting but it can also be nasty sometimes they will put their ears back before they bite submission is more peeing on the spot tail between legs or belly up

11-26-2012, 10:19 PM	#9 (permalink)
pets4life Elite Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Kingston Ontario Posts: 1,193	well my fat house cat is not my dogs pack leader thats for sure lol my dog is a very dominant bitch. Its just a friendly gesture.

11-26-2012, 10:36 PM	#10 (permalink)
marshies Elite Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,490	My dog does it when she's cuddly, sleepy, and happy. She does it when people pet her. __________________ Amaretto von Huerta Hof -Adventures and Dog Product Reviews-

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