Cute doggy moments are all around you, from tail wagging to cuddling and head tilting. Have you ever seen a dog tilt its head? Has your dog tilted its head? Almost everyone has seen it, and most people can’t help but find it adorable. It makes your dog seem very alert and photogenic. But exactly why do they do it?
A lot of pet owners assume it’s because of curiosity. Others think their dog is confused about something. They may not understand what’s going on and are trying to figure it out. And still others think their dog is intelligent enough to know just how cute it is. Fido can pose perfectly for the family photo!
Regardless of why, most dog owners try to snap the perfect “head tilt” photo for social media. But here’s what research says is the cause of the well-loved dog head tilt:
Why Do Dogs Tilt Their Heads?
According to VCA Animal Hospitals, the dog head tilt has more to do with sound than anything else. Have you noticed your dog tilt its head during particularly noisy times? What about when you’re talking to them in a different tone of voice, or being particularly enthusiastic?
All About the Sound
Dogs have a keener sense of hearing than people. That’s one of the things that makes them so good at hunting and guarding. That and their keen sense of smell. But how does their hearing work?
Dogs have ear flaps that cover the ear canal at least partially. These ear flaps muffle sound transmission. In order to hear sounds better, a dog has to change the position of its ear flaps in various ways. Thus, a dog also has to change the position of its head.
It can also vary between breeds. Some large dogs, like German Shepherds, have ear flaps that cover the back of the ear canal. Their hearing is limited from the rear because of that, and they may tilt their head more towards the back. Cocker Spaniels, with their cute, furry, curly ears, have fully covered ear canals because of their heavy ears. This makes it difficult for them to hear in any direction.
Does Dog Head-Tilting Really Help With Sounds?
The canine ear flap is called a pinna. Luckily, the pinnae are movable. Dogs can perk up their pinnae, or ear flaps, and tilt their heads in order to register sound more clearly. You may have noticed your dog tilt its head in different directions at times. And sometimes, with something really unusual happening, your dog may tilt its head in several different directions, one right after another.
Depending on which direction the sound is coming from, dogs tilt their heads in that direction to better hear it. Unless it’s coming from the side, where dog’s ears are located!
Julia Meyers-Manor, an animal cognition researcher at Ripon College, says it’s also about localizing a sound. The head tilt changes the angle the ears are at, and that makes the sound reach one ear faster than the other.
Are There Other Reasons Dogs Tilt Their Heads?
Your dog’s head tilt can be adorable, there’s no denying that. But what if your dog is tilting its head too often, or all the time? Is there a cause for alarm? There are several different reasons other than better listening that can cause a dog to tilt their head.
Medical Issues
In some cases, a dog tilting its head can indicate illness. If a head tilt lasts more than 24 hours or is accompanied by vomiting or falling over, you should take your dog immediately to the vet. Three possible medical causes of head tilt can be:
- Vestibular Disease
- Hypothyroidism
- Nutritional Deficiency
See also
There are several different types of vestibular disease. These can range from an infection or bacteria in the central, middle, or inner ear, to something more serious, like a stroke or cancer. There are different ways to diagnose a dog head tilt, from blood work to imaging tests.
Any of these potential causes requires a trip to your dog’s vet to get properly diagnosed.
Other Reasons for Head Tilt
Though one of the main reasons for a dog’s head to tilt so adorably is for it to hear better, there are several other possibilities.
Better Understanding
Just like when people tilt their heads to try to figure something out, or when they’re trying to remember something, it may be the same with animals. If your dog comes up to you in the middle of doing something unusual and he tilts his head, maybe he really is just trying to figure you out. It could also be that your dog recognizes a familiar word and may be trying to process it.
Communication
In addition to better hearing, dogs may also tilt their heads when trying to see better and gain a better understanding of you. Dogs don’t just listen to your vocal commands when you are training them. They watch your face, movements, and mannerisms to try to determine what you may need.
You Taught Them
A dog tilting its head often can even mean that you may have taught them to! Think about how often you “ooh” and “aah” over your dog’s cute movements. You praise them when they do something right or adorably cute. You give them treats, take photos, and show them off. Your dog may have picked up on the fact that you like their cute little head tilt.
Final Thoughts
Regardless of the meaning behind your dog’s head tilt, unless it is medical of course, it’s still a reason to get out the camera. There’s no better time to snap that perfect family photo with all of the family members, including the furry ones. And if your dog has learned to tilt its head on command, that’s even better for snapping a quick pic.
