On dogs" ears | Oh My Dog!

You’ve probably heard the saying, “Eyes are the window to the soul.”

When it comes to our dogs, I think their ears are the window to the soul!

Have you ever watched your dog’s ears? Like really, closely studied them? They tell you so much about what they’re thinking or how they’re feeling. I could write a whole book about my dogs’ ears. Though no one would read it. Except maybe John, and even he’d probably get bored by chapter 2.

Anyway!

When Lucas is happy, like on a walk with his buddy Turk, they loosely flop up and down.

When he’s nervous, unsure, or frightened, they stick straight out and droop down. We call that look “umbrella ears.”

His curious look results in a Dumbo ear situation.

With all three of them, I can see them tilt their ears like tiny little satellite dishes to listen to what I’m doing in the house. If they hear a strange noise outside, they pivot an ear to hear that, too.

Learning to “read” Lucas’ ears has been huge for us as we help him navigate and overcome his fears. He cries and whines a lot – whether he’s excited or terrified – so knowing which ear position means happy and which ear position means “get me outta here” has helped tremendously.

Emmett’s funniest ear situation is when he’s super exhausted, his right ear flops forward and bends in the middle. We call it having a “broken ear.”

What do you think Cooper’s ears are saying here?

I believe this look means, “I didn’t chew that hole in the rug. It was there when I got here. Promise.”

And, lastly, here’s an ear-related flashback to when Cooper was a wee little one.

What about your dogs? Are their ear movements as noticeable and dramatic as Lucas’? Have you named any ear positions or are we the only crazy people who have done so?

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