Why do dogs tilt their heads?
You know the pose. You love the pose. It’s the most photogenic canine pose ever—the head tilt. But what does the perked ears, curious eyes and cocked head mean? Is your dog curious? Confused? Inquisitive?
Actually, none of the above. Your dog is attentively listening to you. Although dogs have excellent hearing, their ear flaps can get in the way and block sound. So they change the position of their head and ears to try to capture sound better.
But if that’s the case, then how come your dog tilts their head when you stand directly in front of them where they can hear you just fine? It has to do with their nose also being in the way too. Dogs will use visual cues from your facial expression and body language to interpret what you’re saying, but their big muzzle can interfere with what they see.
To get an idea of just how much a long snout obstructs vision, hold a fist to your nose and look around. You have to turn your head to see things directly in front of you. Dogs do the same thing.
Additionally, your dog may tilt their head to show you they’re engaged, much the same way a human would nod during a conversation to indicate they’re listening. Social dogs may tilt their head more often to encourage and prolong the conversation.
While a responsive head tilt is an adorable and healthy social behavior, a consistent head tilt that doesn’t go away is a sign of a problem. Contact your veterinarian right away if you notice your dog going about the day with their head constantly cocked.
