If your husky often moves its ears back you might be wondering why.
This post will show you why it might do it and how you can figure out the exact cause.
So, why does my husky move its ears back? Possible reasons are that it is excited, it is being submissive or that it is warning you.
There are actually a number of reasons why your husky might move its ears back. Fortunately, there are also a number of things that you can consider that will greatly help in figuring out the exact reason.
Why your husky moves its ears back
Each of the different reasons that your husky moves its ears back will likely come with some clues in the way that it does it. Below are some reasons why it might be doing it and what would make them more likely.
Excitement
The reason your husky moves its ears back could be that it is showing excitement. This would be more likely if it shows other signs of excitement such as wagging its tail. It would also be more likely if it does it when something might be exciting it such as when you come home or are about to take it out for a walk.
Submission
The reason that your husky moves its ears back might be that it is being submissive. This would be more likely if it does it in situations where it might be being submissive such as when bigger dogs are around it or when it has just done something it shouldn’t have and you just found out. It would also be more likely if it shows other signs of submission such as hiding its tail or rolling on its back.
It’s warning you
It could be the case that it does it because it is warning you not to approach it. This would be more likely if it does it in situations such as when it is eating or when it is guarding something that it thinks belongs to it like a spot on the couch. It would also be more likely if it shows other signs of aggression such as showing its teeth, stiffening its legs and growling.
In this case, it would be important to give it lots of training so that it learns how it is meant to behave. If it seems to be the case that it could become aggressive, the best option would be to seek the help of a certified dog behaviorist or trainer in your area.
Consider what its other body language signs are showing
When trying to figure out why your husky moves its ears back it would help to consider the other body language signs that it is showing. A single body language sign on its own will usually have multiple possible meanings. However, when there are multiple signs that suggest the same thing it would be more likely that they are there for that reason.
Eyes
The eyes can tell you a lot about the mood of your husky.
Generally, wide-open eyes where you can see a lot of white around the outside with dilated pupils is a sign of aggression, fear or stress. Whereas, squinting is generally a sign that it feels relaxed.
Mouth
When a husky is feeling relaxed it will normally have its mouth open with its tongue out and be panting.
If it is feeling frightened then it may pant excessively, have a closed mouth or drool a lot when there is no reason to.
Whereas, if it pulls its front lips up and shows its teeth then it would normally be a sign of aggression. However, if it shows the front teeth when waggings its tail, squinting and flattening its ears then it would be a more submissive sign.
Tail
When it is feeling excited it will usually wag its tail and often raise it as well. Whereas, if it hides its tail between its legs then it would normally be a sign of fear or submission.
Hair
If its hair appears to raise then it will usually be a sign of being upset or aroused. However, raised hair can also signal that it is feeling aggressive especially if it shows other signs of aggression.
Panting
It is normal for a dog to pant in order to keep itself cool. However, if it pants excessively with a tight mouth then it can be a sign that it is feeling stressed.
Consider the timing of when it puts its ears back
It would also help to consider what else is happening and the timing of when your husky moves its ears back.
For example, if it moves its ears back when you come home and it is wagging its tail and trying to lick you, it would be much more likely that it is showing excitement.
Whereas, if it moves its ears back when it is eating and it growls as well, it would be much more likely that it is doing it because it is resource guarding and warning you not to approach it.