Why Do Dogs Tilt Their Heads? The Science Behind the Tilt

Dogs have certain quirky behaviors that capture our hearts, and one of these behaviors is the canine head tilt. While not every dog does it, the ones who do seem to have it down to an art. But why do dogs tilt their heads? What, if anything, are they trying to say or do with this irresistibly adorable quirk?

Why Do Dogs Tilt Their Heads?

There are many possible reasons a dog will tilt its head. One reason might be the catalyst for a particular dog, while another gets a different dog’s head a-tilting. Join us as we dive into a few of the most likely reasons for the movement and what they could mean for your dog:

Optimizing Hearing or Sight

Some scientists have hypothesized that tilting the head can help a dog hear or see better. One study found that a canine head tilt makes it so sound is processed in a different side of the brain. A tilt with the left ear at center stage will send auditory signals to the brain’s right hemisphere, while a right tilt will send signals to the left hemisphere. The study also showed that a dog can process segmental phonemic information from speech in the left hemisphere. Those voices lacking phonemic clues will be processed in the right hemisphere.

Also, dogs with certain snout shapes may tilt their head to get a better view. While there is not yet any specific research to support this, many experts believe that the size and shape of a snout could occasionally interrupt a dog’s view of the world.

A Way to Process Information

Another study found that some dogs may tilt their heads to process information from the world around them better. As with the hearing hypothesis, physically tilting the head means they can process certain things with a different part of the brain to get different information from it. While not every dog exhibits this behavior, they did find a correlation between Gifted Word Learners (GWL) and head tilts. These dogs were also proven to learn various names for one object with an understanding that they all referred to the same item. 

Another hypothesis related to the tilt and understanding is that it helps dogs connect a sound and a visual memory in the brain. 

Positive Outcome Connection

Some dogs could have learned to tilt their heads as they do with other tricks. If the owner responds positively when the dog tilts the head and rewards it with treats or praise, he or she might be likely to repeat it. If you think head tilting is an adorable trait and your dog is easily trained, you might want to add this to your training repertoire. 

A Medical Issue

In some cases, the canine head tilt is a side effect of a medical issue. If you notice that your dog is tilting his or her head at random times, it could be because of:

• An ear infection
• Nutritional deficiency 
• Damage in the eardrums
• Vestibular disease

It’s always a good idea to schedule a visit with your veterinarian if you notice any new or unusual behavior with your dog. 

From head tilts to surgery, the knowledgeable Oakland Veterinary Referral Services team is here for you and your pets. Whether helping with pet owner tips or providing specialty veterinary care, we want to help your pets live long and healthy lives. Please call (248) 334-6877 to learn more about our services.