Would a passive submissive dog have their ears flat and back?

• A. No
• B. Yes
• C. Sometimes
• D. Only when trained

Answer: (B)

In dog body language, ear position communicates mood and intent. When a dog is passive and submissive, ears held flat against the head and pulled back are a common appeasement signal. This helps the dog look less threatening and avoid confrontation, especially when paired with a lowered body posture, relaxed or avoidant gaze, and sometimes a tucked tail. So, yes, a passive submissive dog would typically have ears flat and back. Remember that context matters— some dogs may have ears back for other reasons like fear or pain, and you should consider the whole body language, not just the ears, when assessing a dog.