Tips on Curled Back Dog Ears

You may have heard that a dog with its ears curled back is an aggressive dog, but this is not true. A dog can use its ears in conjunction with other manners of body language to express several intents and, while aggression or dominance are not among them, fear and anxiety are. So, while its ears may not indicate overt aggression, the potential for the dog to bite or scratch out of fear is a real danger.

Fear
- A frightened dog will often also bark to warn off a threat.
  
  When a dog is fearful, its ears curl or flatten back. Along with this ear position, a dog in fear will lower its head and back and, if it walks, will do so with its body low. When dogs are afraid, they use their body language as both a warning and a plea for reassurance. Reacting to a fearful dog in a friendly, soothing manner may calm its fears, but keep a prudent distance. Approaching a fearful dog may prompt it to run, but the approach may also trigger its self defense instincts, prompting an attack.
Anxiety
- A tilted head warns the aggressor that this could become a fight.
  
  Dogs also use their ears to show that they are bothered. This type of behavior can be seen when one dominant dog tries to bully another dog of equal or higher dominance. The annoyed dog will turn its head to the side and stare, wide-eyed, sideways at the offender with dilated pupils. If the other dog persists in its aggressive behavior, a fight or contest for dominance is likely to occur. Dogs do not typically take this stance toward humans but, if they do, they should not be provoked into further action.
Submission
- A submissive dog will sink, or lie on its back or belly.
  
  Submission involves many of the same signals as fear, and is often adopted by dogs who feel fear in the presence of a more dominant dog or human. Submissive dogs hold their ears back and their heads low, slinking low to the ground in an attempt to look smaller. While a fearful dog will attempt to keep its distance and maintain an avenue of escape, a submissive dog will often approach its master quietly and lie down on its back. A submissive dog is not dangerous, but those who are unfamiliar with dog body language may confuse fear for submission. So, if an unknown dog adopts this stance, it is best not to approach it.
Friendliness
- Dogs also put their ears back to advertise friendliness.
  
  Dogs also curl their ears back to indicate friendliness. They do this in contrast to holding their ears in a forward position, which indicates assertiveness or an intention to dominate. A friendly dog will supplement its curled ears with other body language, such as bowing or low jumping in circles, and may hold its mouth open in a manner that resembles a grin. Friendly dogs are easily enticed to play, but may still be dangerous if they are used to playing rough or they are notably larger than a potential human playmate.