Why do dogs flap their ears quickly from side to side after getting up from a lying position?

Is Syz around?? Ohhhh, Syz????? ;) I’m wondering if it helps them get their senses reorganized through the vestibular system in the inner ear, as it would for humans. Hmmmm…

I always thought it was an orientation to being awake thing like we yawn or stretch.

I’ve always assumed because they have blood vessels in their ears and I’m sure nerves that after sleeping on them they just shake it out to get the blood flow back. My dog may wake up occasionally with his ear flipped backwards. I’m sure that is uncomfortable. I know he will do that and lay next to me flipping his ear with his paws until I gently rub them. After a minute of that he’ll just get up and go.

I don’t think it’s just to shake their ears, but it’s the beginning of a full body shake to re arrange their fur. It’s sort of like when you get out of a seat, you pull down your shirt, or smooth the wrinkles out of your clothes.

@YARNLADY – well, she only gives the full body shake when she is wet. Otherwise, it’s mostly just her head.

@chicadelplaya Oh, dear. I hope it’s not because she has an ear ache or anything. Maybe you could ask your vet what she thinks.

idk but thats a good ques.