Besides trying to make themselves cuter than they already appear on a regular basis, what does it mean when dogs tilt their head when you talk to them?
As ChewyMD reports, it’s a common question for anyone who has a canine in their family. We spoke to a veterinarian and dog behaviorist to explain the reasons behind a dog’s head tilt—and when it might be time for a vet visit.
4 Reasons Dogs Tilt Their Heads
There are several reasons dogs may tilt their heads to one side, and most of the time it is a totally benign, normal behavior in response to some kind of sound. However, there are some instances when a head tilt can be a signal that it’s time for a trip to the vet.
Some reasons for a doggy head tilt are:
1. Curiosity
Dogs tilt their heads to one side when they are listening and/or out of simple curiosity, says Courtnye Jackson, DVM, a veterinarian in Charlotte, North Carolina. Some dogs will tilt their heads at almost any sound, but most love to respond to the sound of their pet parent’s voice.
A dog will also tilt their head in response to a sound they’ve never heard before—like a new squeaky toy—almost as if the action will help them figure out what the noise is.
2. They’re Hoping To Hear Certain Words
If you’ve ever wondered “Why does my dog tilt his head when I talk to him?” and gotten an inkling that your pup is leaning their head to translate English to dog—that’s because they are!
Dogs will often tilt their head when actively listening, hoping to hear certain words like “treat” or “walk,” says dog behaviorist Elisha Stynchula, CPDT-KA, owner of “I Said Sit” school for dogs in Los Angeles.
3. Trying To Figure Out Where a Sound Is Coming From
Dogs can pick up on sounds that we can’t, so if you catch your pet tilting their head seemingly for no reason, it could be because they are hearing something inaudible to people ears and they are trying to figure out where the noise is coming from. This is especially true for very high-pitched sounds.
4. There’s a Medical Issue
Usually, a dog’s head tilt is all about listening, but Dr. Jackson says that sometimes it is a sign of a major issue, like a brain injury or neurological problems (such as vestibular disease and tumors). Neurological issues may be diagnosed with a visit to the veterinarian. Just be aware that they may take a little time and testing to pinpoint the exact cause.
Another fairly common reason for a head tilt is an ear infection, which is pretty easy to rule out with a quick vet visit.
When Is Head Tilting Considered a Concern?
More often than not, a head tilt in puppies and dogs is not something to worry about. However, if you notice a persistent tilt and your gut is telling you something is wrong, there are some instances when a head tilt is a sign of a medical issue.
“If your dog has a head tilt for any other reason than curiosity or listening enhancement, you should be concerned,” says Dr. Jackson. “Even something that starts as small as an ear infection can cause larger issues if left without treatment for too long.”
According to Dr. Jackson and Stynchula, if you notice the following behaviors (along with a head tilt), you should take your dog to the vet as soon as possible:
- Your dog losing balance
- An abnormal amount of debris in their ears
- Your dog shaking their head, or scratching/pawing at their face or ear
- Your dog walking with their head tilted for prolonged periods
- Signs of cognitive dysfunction (disorientation; pooping and peeing where they know they shouldn’t; change of sleep pattern)
“Most pet parents know their dogs well enough to notice the difference between a listening head tilt and one that’s possibly medical-related,” says Stynchula.
So, if your intuition is telling you something is off with your pet, don’t waste any time getting them to the vet.
—
Photo Credit: Mary Swift / Shutterstock.com