Dog eating 'crouched' down

[Bopper]

A friend’s dog is acting strangely and I wanted some input. The behavior started when the dog had an ear infection which has been treated and seems better. The dog has been to the vet and his response was 'Let’s just keep an eye on it for a few days." The dog only eats by lowering down and ‘crouching’ almost lying down but its back end is standing. It will not eat treats or food while standing anymore. It seems a little lethargic. It is an 8 year old lab.

Any ideas? I was thinking jaw or tooth issue.

[Horsegal984]

If you hand the dog a treat at standing height, face level will it take it and eat that normally? I’m suspicious of neck pain making the dog not want to flex so he adjusts by lowering his whole front half. However he should be able to eat an offered treat normally in that scenario.

[Laurierace]

Neck pain was my first thought as well.

[MsM]

Going with the ear infection - wondering if just lowering his head affects his balance or makes him dizzy?