Why do dogs tilt their heads?

You've probably seen this a bunch of times when chatting to or near a dog: they stare at you, tilt their heads and give a charming look that says "Hey! I'm listening to you". But there's more going on than just a dog trying to look cute. Here, we answer "why do dogs tilt their heads?", if it's normal behaviour and which breeds are best known for tilting their heads. The science behind why dogs tilt their heads Surprisingly, there isn't actually much science behind head tilting, and it’s mostly anecdotal evidence. But the few studies that researchers have done focus on how it helps dogs understand stimuli in the world around them. For example, a 2021 study by Springer Nature concluded that head-tilting "processed relevant, meaningful stimuli". Another trend researchers found was that dogs had a favoured side for tilting, but there wasn't much weight put behind this analysis - rather it's more likely that dogs just have a preference. What does it mean when a dog tilts its head? So, what does it really mean when a dog tilts its head? Communication As mentioned, head tilting can show that a dog is processing information, but it may also be a way of communicating either with us or with other dogs. Our dog body language article can explain more about how dogs communicate subtly with their owners. Concentration The study we linked above explained the theory that dogs tilt their heads to process stimuli around them and to help with concentration. This might apply when a dog is learning something new or playing games. Hearing Some people think that dogs tilt their heads to hear better, stopping their ear flaps from interfering with sound. They may also tilt their head towards or away from the sound to hear it better. Understanding Tilting their head can mean a dog is thinking about or processing sounds, their meaning, how they apply to them and how they should respond. Visual reasons Sometimes, a dog tilts their head to see better. Pretty simple! Is head tilting always normal? When to worry Head tilt in dogs can indicate a medical problem if it's sudden or persistent. Possible medical reasons for persistent or sudden head tilting include: It's important to see if head tilting is combined with other worrying symptoms, like: We always recommend seeing a vet for sudden, new or persistent symptoms, especially if your dog's head tilt lasts longer than 24 hours and comes with other issues. Do certain dog breeds tilt their heads more? Yes. Typically, breeds with longer muzzles tilt their heads more, like German Shepherds and Greyhounds . Flatter-faced dogs, like Bulldogs and Pugs , tend to tilt their head to the side less. Some breeds are known as ‘gifted word learners’. These breeds are very quick learners and have a great memory, and are more likely to tilt their heads than other dogs according to some studies. Examples of GWL dog breeds include: But, as mentioned, dog head tilting can be individual, so it isn't entirely down to the breed. Why dogs tilt their heads when we speak So, given all the reasons for dog head tilting, why does it happen more when humans speak? It's likely to be a mix of needing to hear, processing information and learning. Engagement A dog can tilt their head when they're concentrating on what their human is saying to them. It shows they're engaging with us. Hearing A dog tilting their head can mean they're trying to hear or listen. Learning Dogs can tilt their head when they're learning or recalling information. Visual reasons Dogs sometimes tilt their heads to get a better look at our faces, which they use to learn and recall information or maybe interpret what we're saying or doing. But another part of it might be positive reinforcement . Usually, we speak to our dogs in a certain tone of voice when something good is going to happen. The classic is "do you want to go for a walk?" - we say it in the same tone and then we reward them with a walk. If a dog tilts their head doing this, they associate head tilting with a reward. So, head tilting in dogs is a complicated behaviour that scientists still don’t fully understand, and only a small number of studies have been done. How dog insurance helps While dog head tilting is usually fine, it can indicate a deeper health problem. But being proactive and watching your dog closely can help you spot things. Our dog insurance may help with up to £20,000 vet fee cover, access to 24/7 video vet call support as standard and a host of ManyPets Perks.

Why do dogs tilt their heads?

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