04
Dec
What does it mean when your german shepherd puts his ears back when you pet him?
By milkbone Posted in Uncategorized /
ilovepink questioned:
My german shepherd puts his ears back when people pet him. He looks somewhat frightened..or is he smiling?
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My german shepherd puts his ears back when people pet him. He looks somewhat frightened..or is he smiling?
Dog Food Secrets!
Dog Food Secrets! Says: December 5th, 2007 at 6:31 am
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If he growls, he is frightened and may bite.
If he just puts his ears back and kinda looks like he is smiling, it’s no problem.
My dog did the same thing, but he had been abused before I got him, so with some people he would growl, and I wouldn’t let them pet him.
It’s really sad what some people do to helpless animals.
Sit Stay Fetch, Good Dog! Says: December 8th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
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he likes you! my doggy does this too..i reckon he’s just overwhelmed
Sit Stay Fetch, Good Dog! Says: December 10th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
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My dog does that to sometimes, if your hands appear moist it’s because they don’t want there ears wet inside.
Dog Lovers Mega Pack Says: December 13th, 2007 at 3:37 am
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mean he is about to bite your hand off…….
Dog Food Secrets! Says: December 15th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
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That’s just like. Does he wag his tail and wiggle his whole body too? they are such cuties.
Start a Doggie Daycare Says: December 16th, 2007 at 4:48 pm
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huuuuuuuuuh
Dog Food Secrets! Says: December 18th, 2007 at 5:50 pm
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Every dog I’ve ever know does that. I reckon they are just flexing their face muscle, could be called smiling.
Dog Food Secrets! Says: December 19th, 2007 at 5:31 am
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he is being warey
Dog Lovers Mega Pack Says: December 19th, 2007 at 11:22 pm
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so does my dog, it sees your hand coming, so its natural instict is to place its ears back. Nothing to worry about. =]
i like german shepherds!
Sit Stay Fetch, Good Dog! Says: December 20th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
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Means he likes it…
Sit Stay Fetch, Good Dog! Says: December 20th, 2007 at 7:23 pm
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Submission. Our dog does it too, but she’s not a shepherd.
Dove Cresswells Dog Training Says: December 24th, 2007 at 6:51 am
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depends on his expression. It could mean he is pleased, or very mad
Be careful
Start a Doggie Daycare Says: December 26th, 2007 at 5:52 am
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did you get him as a puppy? or did you get him when he was older? It could just be a personality trait or he could have been hit and is worried of hands.
Dog Lovers Mega Pack Says: December 29th, 2007 at 1:16 am
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sometimes frightened
Sit Stay Fetch, Good Dog! Says: December 31st, 2007 at 10:04 am
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He is showing submission. As long as he isn’t growling then don’t worry about it, it is natural
Sit Stay Fetch, Good Dog! Says: January 1st, 2008 at 1:21 pm
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I reckon it means that he’s uneasy or nervous. I’m just guessing, though.
Dove Cresswells Dog Training Says: January 2nd, 2008 at 3:11 pm
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he is being submissive. you are the boss
.
Start a Doggie Daycare Says: January 3rd, 2008 at 4:30 am
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he’s horny!
Dog Food Secrets! Says: January 4th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
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He’s either worried people will hurt him or he likes it my cat’s do the same thing but they Like it!
Sit Stay Fetch, Good Dog! Says: January 6th, 2008 at 7:37 am
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what? i dont have a german shepherd
Dog Lovers Mega Pack Says: January 8th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
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don’t worry about it! theres nothing incorrect with that!
my westie used to do the same thing (when he was alive)
he’s probally just pleased, or thats how he reacts.
if you reckon you are bothering your dog, just pet them somewhere else, or
Start a Doggie Daycare Says: January 9th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
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aww those dogs are cute
Sit Stay Fetch, Good Dog! Says: January 12th, 2008 at 7:50 am
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Dog “smiles” are really looks of irritation or pain. He might be frightened if you’ve adopted him. My dogs ears are always back and that’s just because he knows that I’m Alpha and he’s not. My other dog was adopted and had been previously abused and she “smiles” because she’s in pain and her ears go back to show obedience and submissivness. It’s not a terrible thing unless he growls or often shows his teeth at the same time.
Hope I Helped!
Sit Stay Fetch, Good Dog! Says: January 12th, 2008 at 9:54 am
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If it’s only when other people pet him then I would guess he is frightened. Make sure people introduce themselves to him slowly to help ease his fears. Of course, if there’s no growling or any other agressive behavior, you may have a smiler!
Sit Stay Fetch, Good Dog! Says: January 14th, 2008 at 3:04 am
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he’s on guard and is watchful of of their actions.
Dog Food Secrets! Says: January 15th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
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he likes it. Putting his ears back is comforting sign, unless he’s growling. If he’s growling with his ears back, he’s warning you.
Dog Food Secrets! Says: January 16th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
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He’s frightened if he’s putting his ears to his head. He may reckon your going to hit him or he doesn’t trust you. If his head moves down too while your reaching to place him then he is certainly either timid or just frightened.
Dove Cresswells Dog Training Says: January 17th, 2008 at 5:25 am
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i have some friends with the same dog and she does the same thing i’ve known her since she was a pup she has always done and she is the friendlyest dog ever.
Dog Lovers Mega Pack Says: January 17th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
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Every dog I’ve ever know does that. I reckon they are just flexing their face muscle, could be called smiling. Excellent Luck with your loving doggy!!! likes ya….
Dog Lovers Mega Pack Says: January 19th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
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he is letting you know that your the boss and he is being submissive to you, bowing down to his owner
Start a Doggie Daycare Says: January 22nd, 2008 at 11:25 am
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As long as he doesn’t bare his teeth, i believe hes just responding to your stimulation.
Sit Stay Fetch, Good Dog! Says: January 25th, 2008 at 11:39 am
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thats called a dog helmut.
my cat puts her helmut on if she is about to get a whack, or petted, or hunting, or hears a lound noise.many things.
but it like a small helmut….so i named it a cat helmut. there are now dog helmuts too.
i am presenting my thought to the royal society of vets next month.
Dog Food Secrets! Says: January 27th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
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Is he from a pound/shelter? Cause if he was then maybe he was abused and worried of the open hand coming at him! But if he isn’t…well my rfiends dog do that too! I reckon it’s just their senses! Its just like humans, when someone comes slowly at your eye and you feel it tingle kind of!
You know…
I reckon it’s fine, as long as he’s not growling!
)))
HOPE THIS HELPS!
Sit Stay Fetch, Good Dog! Says: January 28th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
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he is uncomfortable. this dog is threatened in some way by you(?) is it fully grown? someone (you) must spend more time in a very casual and unthreatening manner with this dog. get low to the ground, keep you chest as low as possible (like on all fours) pat your hand on the floor and don’t look into the dogs eyes directly. you are acting submissive and playful. you can gain his trust and friendship like this. this is how puppies approach more alpha dogs. (repeat behavior often) excellent luck!
Dog Food Secrets! Says: January 29th, 2008 at 5:50 am
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It depends, if his tail is between his legs at the same time, it could mean that he is frightened. If his ears are just pulled (alone), he could be pleased and excited that you are giving him attention
Dog Food Secrets! Says: February 1st, 2008 at 12:49 pm
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it could mean a few things.
1. it could mean he is head shy. that would be like if he was adopted from a shelter and mabye before he was aboused.
2. that is just how he acts.
3. there could be a spot there he likes/dislikes that people touch when they touch his head.
4. he could be showing people he wants them to go away and not pet him ( this would usally lead to him growling and bearing his teeth, then you would need to get him help before he bit someone.) i dont reckon this is the reason though, he would show other signs if he was uncofrtable when someone pet him.
5. it could be passiveness. this means your dog just likes to place his ears back showing affection for the person petting him.
hope i helped
Dog Lovers Mega Pack Says: February 4th, 2008 at 4:09 am
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It means he likes you and likes how you pet him. That’s just like humans saying “that feels excellent.”
Sit Stay Fetch, Good Dog! Says: February 7th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
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When dogs lay their ears back it is not necessarily the same as when horses or cats do (this usually signifies a warning because they’re not pleased). But, it doesn’t always mean they’re pleased either. Observe the rest of his body behavior. If his tail is wagging and/or his body is generally relaxed then it’s most likely just the response to being pet, especially if he’s being pet on the head. If he seems to shrink away or has his tail between his legs, he may be more timid than most dogs and may feel overwhelmed. If his body is tense and his teeth are slightly bared, even if he’s not growling, be careful. He may not like the specific area where you’re petting him, like behind the ears or under his chin. Basically, just look at what else he’s doing, his body should tell you pretty clearly.
Start a Doggie Daycare Says: February 8th, 2008 at 11:41 am
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He is simply showing you he respects you as leader. He likes you. Dogs show submission to those they like – pack leader, mama dog, other siblings, etc. Owners, too.
Pay attention when he comes up to you when you are closer to the floor. He’ll place his nose under your chin or place his head under your hand. Same thing. He is showing he likes and respects you by being submissive.
People do the same thing really. You show you like your mom and dad by being submissive to them – you clean up your room when questioned, you obey and do special things for them. You don’t stand over them and you don’t show aggression. Also, remember that just because you are submissive to them, it does not mean that you are worried of them.
Make sense?