Have you ever pondered why your dog tilts its head to one side when you speak to them? Our four-legged friends possess numerous ingenious methods of communicating their emotions to us. Dogs employ everything from barking to licking and tail wagging, behaviours we generally believe we understand.
Yet, it can prove puzzling when dogs angle their heads from side to side, as the meaning behind this action isn’t always immediately obvious.
One veterinarian named Dr Alex Crow has now revealed three distinct explanations for why your dog might tilt their head while concentrating on something specific.
“First, it helps them pinpoint the exact location of a sound,” he explained. “By tilting their heads, they can better determine where noises are coming from. Especially if its a strange or unfamiliar sound.”
Canines can detect a far wider spectrum of frequencies than humans. When they angle their head, they may be responding to a noise pitched too highly for our ears to register.
The second explanation for your dog tilting their head is an attempt to interpret your facial cues and body language.
Dr Alex noted: “When they tilt their head, they can see past their snout and get a better view of our mouth and eyes, helping them to read our emotions.”
He continued with the third explanation: “Head tilting might also be a sign of concentration. When your dog tilts its head, it could mean they are trying to understand what you’re saying or figure out what you want from them.
“So the next time your dog tilts their head at you, give them a smile and a pat. They are just trying to be the best that they can be,” he added.
However, the comprehensive explanation still prompted further queries from viewers in the comments section, particularly about their own pets’ behaviour.
One person asked: “How come some do and some don’t?” Dr Alex responded: “Some dogs, especially ones with flat faces, might not tilt as much as they don’t have a long snout that they are trying to look past.”
Another commenter observed: “Mine does it when he knows treats are about.”
However, should you notice your dog tilting its head without any obvious trigger, Purina advises seeking veterinary attention as it may indicate underlying health concerns.
These could include ear infections or vestibular syndrome, a disorder which causes dogs to lose their usual sense of balance.
