UNDERSTANDING THE EARS STANDING PROBLEM IN DOG & THEIR SOLUTIONS
There are dogs of many shapes and sizes, all with particular characteristics. These characteristics may be related to their body shape, coat type or even their ears. Some have short ears which stand erect. Some have long ears which droop down past the face. However, it is not common to have a dog breed with one ear erect and the other not. In these cases, it is possible that a pathology or related health condition may be the cause.
Breed characteristics, like the shape of a dog’s ears, are often adaptations to the environment in which they evolved. Some have erect, pointy ears, while others have dropped, floppy ears.
FLOPPY EARS
Floppy ears, also called drop ears, hang down the sides of a dog’s head. The entrance to their ear canal is protected by their outer ear flap, limiting their hearing abilities to a certain degree.
These dog breeds were typically bred to hunt via scent and blocking out some of the sounds around them made it easier to focus on the smells in front of them. Their ears also help swoosh the smells toward their nose. Breeds with floppy ears, were also bred for companionship due to domestication. Their droopy ears served to keep out debris and dirt while they worked. Dogs with floppy ears include:
- Labrador Retrievers
- Blood Hounds
- Beagles
- Cocker Spaniels
- Dachshunds
COMMON ISSUES WITH FLOPPY EARS
Ear infections are more susceptible in dogs with floppy ears. The design of their ear’s traps moisture inside their ear canal, leading to wax build-up and creating the perfect environment for bacteria and yeast to breed.
If your floppy-eared dog loves to swim, they are even more likely to develop an ear infection.
Common symptoms of ear infections in your dog include:
- Head shaking
- Scratching at their ear
- Dark discharge
- Odor
- Redness or swelling of the ear canal
- Pain in ear
ERECT EARS
Dogs with erect ears, also called prick ears, have ears that are the most similar to their wolf predecessors. Breeds with erect, pointy ears were bred to hunt or flush game. They are more alert to sounds and prick up their ears when they hear something, allowing them to pinpoint the location of the prey. This gives them an advantage in chasing down their quarry.
These ears stand straight, giving full access to the ear canal and allowing them to hear without any restrictions.
These ears are most common in, but not exclusive to, cold-weather breeds like Huskies that are more “wolf-like” in appearance. Breeds that have erect ears include:
- Alaskan Malamutes
- German Shepherds
- Samoyed
- Akitas
- Siberian Husky
COMMON ISSUES WITH POINTY EARS
Dogs with erect ears have the advantage of fewer ear infections, but they are at a greater risk for ear injuries.
Because the ear canal is not protected, dogs with erect ears may experience a greater risk of foreign objects in their ears. Dogs with pointy ears tend to have thinner ears as well, leading to more blood blisters, tears, and small scratches from playtime.
HOW TO EFFECTIVELY CLEAN YOUR DOG’S EARS
No matter what kind of ear shape your dog has, cleaning them effectively is the best way to prevent infections and ear diseases.
To clean your dog’s ears, you will need a clean cotton ball or cotton pad, a gentle ear cleanser formulated for dogs, a towel, and a few of your dog’s favorite treats.
Lay a towel down under your dog to keep your area clean. If your dog has floppy ears, you will want to gently hold the flap up and pour a small amount of the cleanser into your dog’s ear canal.
Massage the base of your dog’s ear for 15-20 seconds to help the cleanser work into all of the grooves of your dog’s ear. Then, use the cotton ball to soak up any excess solution or earwax that may have come loose.
Clean your dog’s ears at least once a month, but more frequently if your dog swims or is more prone to ear infections.
Puppies are born with floppy ears. They have not yet developed and the physical features they present as a puppy can be much more different when they are an adult. Simply being a puppy is one of the most common reasons your dog has one floppy ear. As the dog develops, one ear might become erect more quickly than the other, although it usually should follow suit rather quickly.
How long it takes for a puppy’s ears to stand up depends on the breed and the individual dog. For some it may only take 8 weeks, for others, it may be 8 months. However, generally a dog’s ears should be standing up after they have finished teething. If the puppy’s ears have stood up and then fallen again after some time, it is likely one of the problems below.
Another factor is that a dog can move their ears. If you see a dog with one ear erect, but the other turned to the side. It may be they are listening out for something. We should distinguish between this and when there is a problem.
Lastly, some dogs will simply never have erect ears. Due to breeding, some dogs have distinctive floppy ears. These breeds include:
- Cocker Spaniel
- Bloodhound
- Cavalier Kind Charles Spaniel
- Basset Hound
- Havanese
- Coonhound
- Beagle
- Poodle
- Dachshund
All of the dog breeds which have floppy ears will have both ears flopping downward. When one ear is floppy and the other is not, it is likely the sign of a health problem.
The pinnae are the outer part of the ear. In dogs, these are either standing up or floppy, but can be of various sizes. When only one is erect and the other is floppy, it is a sign of concern for some guardians.
As we have stated above, it is normal for puppies to have floppy ears according to their breed. However, this can be difficult to tell with a mixed-breed dog since we don’t know if they are supposed to have erect ears or not. It may even be possible for two litter mates to have different degrees of ear floppiness. This is due to the genetic inheritance of their parents.
If you know your puppy should have standing ears and they have reached the stage of development when this should have happened, it is important to know there may be a problem. One of the most important is diet. Puppies will need a specific type of nutrition to grow properly. When they are not fed enough protein and other vital nutrients, it is possible one or more of their ears will remain floppy.
Condition with Dog having one floppy ear
There are different conditions that can cause a dog to have one ear standing up and one droopy ear. However, they are normally accompanied by other symptoms. These other symptoms will usually be more obvious and prompt us to go see a veterinarian.
When the dog does not receive treatment in time, such as what can happen with abandoned dogs, it is possible the ear will never stand up. Unfortunately, this is often the case with stray dogs. They may have one ear floppy or deformed due to malnutrition, fighting, disease, fungal ear infections such as malassezia, parasites or other causes. Some of the most common include:
- Bite wounds: when dogs fight it is not uncommon for the ears to be injured, since they are vulnerable and accessible areas. Animal bites are often complicated by ear infections. Except for minor injuries, they need to receive veterinary attention and even surgical intervention as a means to avoid deformations.
- Otitis media: otitis is a general term for inflammation or infection of the ear. This can occur on only the outside of the ear(otitis externa), but it can also occur in the inner (otitis interna) or middle (otitis media) ear. For the latter, it is common for the dog to regularly hold their head to one side and even shake it in frustration. It is caused by an infection (usually bacterial) entering the ear and it can affect other part’s of the dog’s face if acute. Some dogs are predisposed to otitis and, in these cases, may need surgical intervention to solve the issue.
7 Reasons Why One Ear Stands Up On Your Dog
When one ear is up and the other is down, there is generally an issue. Once we determine why this is happening, we will know what the next step is. Reasons why your dog’s ears are not symmetrical include:
- Growth & Timing
This can be normal as a dog is maturing. The ears do not generally stand erect at the exact same time, so there can be a short period when one ear is up while the other is flat or semi-erect.
These puppies can have an endearing and goofy look that is hard to miss.
Many owners will worry about this but the issue should resolve in a short amount of time when the “lazy” ear catches up.
Again, this is likely linked to general growth and teething (for those with younger pups).
- Improper Ear Cropping
Many vets are now refusing to crop dogs ears, seeing the procedure as an unnecessary mutilation of the dog.
Sadly, some breeders and owners are taking it into their own hands to perform this surgical procedure.
When performed by someone who is inexperienced, there is a much higher risk of complications.
Puppies are more likely to experience infections, excessive scarring and to develop ears that don’t fully stand erect when their cropping is not carried out by a professional. The best way to avoid this issue? Stop the practice of ear cropping: it is not necessary!
- An Ear Infection
While a short-lasting ear infection will generally not cause any long-term issues, a chronic infection can lead to permanent damage to the ear.
In a dog who naturally has erect ears, the ear may flop down. For many, the issue will resolve once the infection is properly treated. However, it is possible that the defect will be permanent.
Signs of an ear infection include redness and wax within the canal, a bad smell from the ear and a dog who is shaking their head and/or scratching at their ear repeatedly.
Infections should be treated promptly. The ear will respond best to medication the earlier the medicine is applied.
Ideally, a vet will swab any discharge in the ear so we can detect any mites, bacteria or fungi. This way, the most appropriate medication can be prescribed.
- An Aural Hematoma
When a blood vessel bursts within the cartilage of the ear and has nowhere to escape to, the ear can “blow up” like a balloon. The swelling is soft, squishy, and hot to the touch. When this happens in a dog who normally has erect ears, the ear may flop over due to the weight of the blood.
Hematomas are treated by draining them with a needle. The vet may also inject some local steroids, to prevent the blood from re-pooling. If the issue recurs, it is sometimes necessary to perform a minor surgical procedure, whereby the ear is tacked together, so blood can no longer pool.
Aural haematomas usually occur when a dog is shaking their ear too much due to an underlying issue such as an ear infection, ear mites or a foreign body within the ear. So, be sure to have your vet search for a cause for the haematoma; otherwise, it may rapidly reoccur.
- Scarred Cartilage
Cartilage needs to be thick and strong for it to support the heavy ears in a standing position. If the cartilage has been damaged from previous trauma or infections, it may never be able to hold the ear in the correct position.
Dogs who have had longstanding or severe aural hematomas may develop ‘cauliflower ear’ whereby the cartilage fails to support the ear and it folds in on itself. This is similar to injuries sustained by human boxers who have repetitive trauma to the ear.
- A Previous Injury
Any significant injury to the ear can damage it, potentially causing a previously erect ear to fold over. This can include dog fights or car accidents. While minor injuries may resolve spontaneously, more severe injuries may mean that the ear never stands up as it should again.
This is generally a cosmetic issue and not one that would require intervention or surgery.
- A Congenital Defect
Sometimes, a puppy’s genetics dictate that one or both ears will never stand up as they ought to. This may be a defect passed on from either parent. Similarly, a pup may damage their ear in utero (when developing within the womb) or shortly after birth, meaning the ear does not develop as it should.
For these pups, the affected ear will never stand erect. Other than looking abnormal, the dog should not suffer any ill effects. This sort of problem only poses an issue in the show ring and is not a health problem.
Taping Your Puppy’s Ears To Help Them Stand Erect
The most popular solution to floppy ears is to tape them up until they stand up on their own.
Taping is not always successful. Some ears will never stand, no matter how long you tape them, because they are set too wide apart on the head. It may be too late for it taping to work. Or, if it’s done improperly, or if the taping causes your puppy to constantly paw at their ears, all of that messing around may weaken the cartilage.
Some people tape across the base of the ear, others fold the ear lengthwise, like a taco, and tape them that way.
If you’re going to tape, use tape with a relatively weak adhesive, like medical tape or masking tape. You might want to trim your pup’s ear fur to reduce stickiness, and to decrease any weight that might tug the ears down. People have used everything from popsicle sticks and cotton swabs to tampon applicators to get those ears up. Some people swear by nasal strips.
There’s no strong evidence as to what method works best, nor is there really any evidence that taped ears would not have stood up on their own.
Don’t underestimate your puppy’s ability to remove the tape and eat it. The ears are typically taped for one week at a time, then reapplied until the ears stand on their own. So, be careful about leaving your puppy unattended with taped ears until they’ve become accustomed to it.
The Meaning Behind Your Dog’s Ear Positions: What Your Dog’s Ears Can Tell You
Dog ear positions have multiple meanings, from communication to even warning you of health issues. Here’s a chart to tell you what your dog’s ear positions mean.
Understanding the meaning behind dog ear positions is vital to properly understand our dogs’ behavior, which is why we created a helpful dog ear positions chart. Too often, as pet parents, we tend to view our dogs as little humans and view the things they do through a human lens. Unfortunately, this means we often misunderstand our dogs.
Not correctly reading our dogs’ ear positions can mean that we view a sign of stress as “cute” and reach for our phones to take a photo instead of removing the source of stress. It can also mean we don’t catch an early sign of aggression before it escalates. For these reasons, we must understand all aspects of canine body language, including dog ear position meaning.
Typical Dog Ear Positions And What They Mean
It’s vital to remember that ear positions are only one part of the communication puzzle. When understanding what a dog’s ears are trying to tell you, it’s vital to consider the environment and the rest of their body and facial language. A dog with pricked ears and a tense body has a very different meaning from a dog with a relaxed one.
Reading ears in the context of the rest of a dog’s body language is vital to truly understand what they mean. So let’s look at some of the most common dog ear positions and what they mean in the context of dog body language.
Dog Shaking Head And Carrying One Ear Lower
Before all else, we always need to consider a medical condition. Canine ear hygiene is vital in avoiding painful and damaging ear infections. Using dog ear cleaning wipes regularly not only gives you a chance to remove bacteria and yeast that could cause infection but also to look for any telltale discharge. The color and types of dog ear wax are worth researching to check on the heath of your dog.
In short, if you see your dog restless, excessively shaking their head, and trying to scratch their ears, you may be dealing with a case of otitis or an ear infection. Another common symptom is holding their head to one side so one ear hangs lower.
Ear infections can be tricky to treat and need veterinary intervention. Often, they are a sign of underlying allergies and health problems.
Pricked Ears With A Tense Or Still Body
We all know that pricked ears mean a dog is alert and focused. Whether a dog has erect or folded ears, they perk up and angle them forward when something grabs their attention.
We don’t often realize that in general, ears raised and pushed forward usually have a positive association and are a sign that a dog is anticipating something. Meanwhile, flattened or dropped ears are associated with a negative meaning, such as disappointment or frustration.
But when it comes to pricked ears, it’s essential to realize that focus and anticipation can have negative and positive meanings.
Dogs with a strong predatorial or defense drive prick their ears the second they register something as potential prey or a threat. This can be seen when a Border Collie sees sheep or a police dog sees a person in a bodysuit. A more common example is simply most dogs when they spot a squirrel.
Unless the dog is exceptionally well trained, you often don’t have much time when a dog pricks their ears and spots “prey” before they bolt after the target. This is because a sound, moving object, or other stimuli has triggered their “hindbrain.” In most cases, the urge to give chase or even attack will override any calling or shouting on your part if you can’t intervene quickly.
So the key to understanding this ear position is to look for other cues such as:
- Eyes or gaze fixated on an object, person, or another animal.
- A very still, tense body.
- A tail held straight out or up, with minimal movement.
- They may drop low, adopting a “stalking” position.
- A tense, tight mouth, usually closed
Note: any growling, snarling, or raised hackles with pricked ears indicates more than an urge to chase. These are signals of active aggression.
If you see your dog’s ears prick up and their body go very still, it’s best to move to get in front of your dog as quickly as possible or grab their collar if they aren’t already on a leash. This is often a sign they are about to give chase or go after something.
Pricked Ears With A Relaxed Body
If a dog has pricked ears but no signs of tension in their body, they are likely just alert and curious. They may be interested in playing or giving you their full focus while training. They may also be staring at the door, waiting for you to come home from work.
Their body movements should be relaxed, with a tail in a neutral position or wagging with excitement. Their mouth may be lolling open with no signs of tightness or growling.
This ear position is most common when you make a sound in the kitchen that could signify treats. You may also see it when you pick up a ball. It means you have their full attention, and they are expecting something positive, such as a walk, playtime, or a snack. It may also signify they spot something interesting, such as a dog at the dog park they want to play with.
Pricked Ears And Tilted Head
At one point or another, we have all made funny noises just to see our dogs prick their ears and tilt their heads to the side in confusion. Yes, they definitely do look puzzled, and it is adorable. But the head tilting does not really signal confusion. Dogs tilt their heads so they can angle their ears to better capture the unfamiliar sound and try to make sense of it.
It’s the same as when you lean forward and turn your head to the side if you can’t quite hear what someone is saying.
One Ear Pricked And One Ear Folded Or Droopy
We all love the adorable scruffy look of a dog with only one erect ear. Often this means that a dog is simply still in the process of having both ears standing up. This is not part of dog ear communication, but just the different rates at which cartilage in the ear flaps is hardening.
Occasionally, however, the cartilage in one ear may never fully harden, which means your dog will always have one folded ear and one erect ear. Personally, we love the happy-go-lucky, lopsided look this gives a dog!
However, suppose your adult dog suddenly develops one droopy ear that is swollen. In that case, it can mean that they have an abscess or atrial hematoma, so it’s time to pay the vet another visit. Cases of ear mites can also cause erect ears to suddenly droop, so be sure get your dog checked out if this happens.
Ears Pulled Back Against The Head
When a dog pulls their ears tight and down against their head, it is a sign of stress. Ears drawn tightly back against the head are often accompanied by:
- A tense, lowered tail, often tucked under the body.
- A tight, closed mouth with stress signals such as lip licking, yawning, raising the lips to show teeth, and vocalizations such as whining, crying, or growling.
- A cowering body position, such as lying down, making themselves look as small as possible, or possibly rolling over to expose their belly.
- Usually, dogs with lowered ears will also turn their heads away and avoid eye contact.
In these situations, lowered ears pulled back can be a sign of submission, as when a dog feels intimidated by another dog or by a human that is angry at them.
We often see pictures on social media of dogs with “guilty” faces, with their ears pulled down and usually avoiding their owner’s gaze. This is not because they feel guilty but because they sense their human’s anger and are trying to appease that anger by looking as submissive as possible.
Related stress signals that pet parents often overlook are mouth movements such as lip licking, panting, or yawning. If your dog is giving these subtle signals, and they have their ears pulled back, it means they are feeling uncomfortable and nervous.
When ears pulled pack is accompanied by cowering, a tucked tail, or shaking, it’s a sign of fear. Dogs may whine, cry, or try to hide. This is common when dogs have noise phobia and are faced with fireworks or storms. You will also see any other dog feeling extreme fear and anxiety.
When Pulled Back Ears Mean That A Dog Is Aggressive
You should note that a dog with ears pulled back is not always a dog that you should try to touch or pet. Often, a dog with their ears pasted back against their head is showing signs of fear or anxiety aggression. This means much of their body language can look like they are fearful, but they may snap and bite because of the stress they are feeling.
A dog with fear aggression will usually have all the symptoms of a dog that is just scared or anxious. The only difference may be more lip movements licking, growling, and snarling.
You can often see this in a dog that is resource guarding their food or favorite toy. Resource guarding is not true aggression but actually a sign that a dog is anxious over losing something that belongs to them. Nevertheless, it can still lead to a nasty bite.
Yes, these are anxious and stressed dogs, but reaching out to touch a dog in a fear-aggressive state is one of the reasons people get bitten. It is vital to get professional help with anxious-aggressive dogs.
Flattened Ears And Disappointment
Another overlooked meaning of dog ear positions is when they signal a dog is disappointed. One study found that dogs who expected a treat but didn’t get one often let their ears droop. They often half close their eyes or give a slow blink drop their jaw slightly open, and lick their noses. These are all signs that your dog is very disappointed.
Ears Pulled Down, But Not Close Against The Head
Similar to the signs of doggy disappointment are signs of sadness or even depression. Typically ears drooping down but not pulled stiffly against the head are a sign that a dog is sad or bored. In these times, your dog may choose to curl up in a ball and sleep. They may be listless and refuse to eat. The most common times this happens is if a dog has been left at a shelter or if their favorite human has gone away for a few days. This is a good time to play a game of fetch or go for a walk.
Neutral Ears
Finally, the most common position your dog’s ears should be in is the neutral position. This is when they are angled to the side, not pricked forward. They also do not droop or pull flat against the head. This is a sign that your dog is relaxed and taking it easy.
Final Word
Perhaps one of many arguments against cropped ears is that dog ear positions mean something and are crucial to how dogs communicate. Whether it’s fear, relaxation, alertness, or aggression, a dog’s ears are highly expressive and each position has meaning.
Dog Ear Position Chart
| Meaning | Related body language | Ear position |
| Ear infection or medical issues(ear mites etc.) | Head shaking and lopsided head carriage (carrying one ear lower). | Ears are usually neutral, but may droop |
| Alert for chase or attack | Body still and tensePossible “stalking”postureTail stiff and horizontal or upHard gaze an fixated eye contact on “prey” or threatClosed, tense mouth. Possible snarling.Possible raise hackles. | Ears pricked up and angled forward |
| Alert for a reward (hopeful or excited) | RelaxedNeutral or wagging tailMay be drooling or have a relaxed mouth. Tongue may “loll”Eyes glued to anticipated reward | Ears pricked up and angled forward |
| Relaxed | Body is relaxed with no signs of tensionDog is likely lying down | Ears are in neutral position, usually facing the sides. |
| Disappointed | Semi-closing eyes or slow blinkingLicking nose’Jaw dropping | Ears droop or flatten against the head. |
| Unfamiliar sound | Tilting head to the side | Ears pricked forward |
| Cartilage in both ears has not hardened to keep both erect. | One ear floppy and ear up | |
| Stress, anxiety, fear, or anxious-aggression | A tense, lowered tail, often tucked under their body.A tight, closed mouth with stress signals such as licking the lips, yawning, raising the lips to show teeth, and vocalizations such as whining, crying, or growling. A cowering body position.Usually avoid eye contact. | Ears pulled back |
Compiled & Shared by- Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)
Image-Courtesy-Google
Reference-On Request.
