Their ears are made of very sensitive skin, so it’s natural that there is discomfort and pain when they are pulled. I would advise against the pulling motion. What you mention though, in terms of the rubbing, is something I am familiar with. One of my rabbits, in what seems to be as automatic as a reflex, will begin licking his paws when I slightly rub his ears. I stopped doing this because it seemed to be involuntary on his part.

Definitely do not pull, and if it seems like she’s tooth chattering and relaxing when you’re doing it, then that’s fine. In general though, I would consider what would be less ear-focused means of making her happy.

Are you pulling pulling? Or just giving a gentle tug? Both of mine always seemed to like it when I massaged/petted their ears. Then I would end by circling both ears together with my thumb and index finger, giving a little tug at the base of the ears before slipping my hand off the ends of the ears. I think of it as a modified T-Touch. There are tail tugs you do with a dog, but it doesn’t really work for rabbits (tail is too delicate and short). It’s supposed to release tension. Anyway, I would not do it if your rabbit does not like it. You don’t tug hard, it really is just a slightly firmer grip at the base of the ears and then loosening that grip as your slide your hand off the ears. Personally, I wouldn’t describe it as actually pulling the ears.

As Wick said, the ears are very sensitive and actually pulling on them would be painful. I would not recommend it.

my rabbit does the same too! they enjoyed it