Why dogs tilt their heads

Image credit: two_tees via Unsplash

Researchers suggest that when dogs tilt their heads, they may be trying to better understand what they hear, focusing on certain sounds or words they recognize. With limited directional hearing, dogs may tilt their heads to better locate sounds, helping them focus on familiar words or interpret human emotions and expressions more effectively. While more research is needed, these findings offer insight into the curious ways dogs engage with their world and with us.

Source

Sommese, A., Miklósi, Á., Pogány, Á. et al. An exploratory analysis of head-tilting in dogs. Anim Cogn 25, 701–705 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-021-01571-8

Additional Reading

https://betterreport.com/dog-behavior-explained/

https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/pets/why-do-dogs-tilt-their-heads

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2021/11/01/dog-head-tilt-study/6230719001/