Between unique behaviors like rolling on their backs, peeing when excited, and walking in circles, head tilting is among the most adorable dog behaviors.
Dogs tilt their heads to hear or see something, communicate with their pet parent, or process information. Dr. Sabrina Kong, DVM, staff veterinary writer at We Love Doodles, says they’re often trying to determine the direction and distance of a sound more precisely.
While head tilting is usually normal and harmless, Dr. Kong says it can sometimes indicate an underlying medical issue. If the tilting is persistent, occurs suddenly, or is accompanied by other symptoms, like loss of balance, vomiting, disorientation, or signs of pain, see a vet right away.
Below, we cover why dogs may tilt their heads, which breeds tilt their heads more, how to stop the behavior (if necessary), and when it’s time to see a vet.
6 Reasons Dogs Head Tilt
From craving attention and communicating with their humans to wanting to see past their noses or address sounds, here are six of the most common reasons why dogs tilt their heads.
1. They’re curious
Cats aren’t the only curious pets—our dogs are too! So, Dr. Kong says it’s no surprise they often tilt their heads when encountering something new or interesting.
“This behavior shows their curiosity and helps them better understand their environment by adjusting their perspective and hearing,” she adds.
2. They want your attention
Head tilting instantly makes us smile and “aw” out of pure joy. Our dogs see that head tilting brings them a happy response, such as delicious treats, plenty of pets, and lots of fun toys.
Dr. Kong says that because of positive reinforcement, pups use head tilting to get our attention and affection.
3. They’re trying to see better
Does your pup have a longer nose? A survey of 582 dog parents found that head shape and muzzle size influence head tilting in dogs. Dr. Kong explains that head tilting can help dogs see better by adjusting their line of sight.
She notes this is also true for dogs with poorer vision; these dogs tilt their head to give them a clearer view of what they’re looking at.
4. They’re communicating with you
If you’ve asked your dog if they want a treat or to go for a walk, you’ve likely seen them tilt their head just moments before wagging their tail or barking excitedly.
“Dogs may tilt their heads to show that they are paying attention and trying to understand what [you’re] saying,” Dr. Kong says. They’re trying to communicate and show you they love you.
5. They hear a high-pitched sound
Dogs have an amazing sense of hearing and can hear sounds ranging from 40–60,000 Hz. Meanwhile, humans can hear sounds between 20–20,000 Hz.
If your dog hears a high-pitched sound, like a whistle or squeaky toy, Dr. Kong says it may prompt them to tilt their heads in response. These high-pitched sounds mimic those made by small prey animals.
6. They’re processing something
In 2021, researchers observed 40 dogs during object-label knowledge tests. When each dog parent asked their pup to fetch a specific toy by name, those who correctly recalled the names of the toys frequently tilted their heads.
These results suggest a relationship between head tilting and relevant, meaningful stimuli processing.
Which Dog Breeds Head Tilt More?
Dr. Kong says some dogs are more prone to head tilting than others, especially those with floppy ears or long muzzles. These include:
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Pugs
- Beagles
- Basset Hounds
Conversely, dogs with shorter noses and ears, like Bulldogs and German Shepherds, might tilt their heads less often.
Additionally, head tilting is more common in puppies since they’re ready to explore their vast, new world. Dr. Kong says this is out of their innate curiosity about their environment, and they are learning to interpret different sights and sounds.
Lastly, senior dogs may head tilt less than puppies and adults due to potential hearing loss or other age-related health issues. If a senior dog begins head tilting suddenly, Dr. Kong says this could indicate a medical problem that requires veterinary attention.
Can You Train Your Dog to Stop Tilting Their Head?
With a behavior as irresistibly cute as head tilting, can you train your pup to stop them from doing this—and should you?
If the behavior is persistent and disruptive, Dr. Kong says you can use training techniques to redirect their attention or use positive reinforcement to reward other behaviors. However, she says this is a natural and non-problematic behavior for most dogs.
When To See a Vet About Head Tilting
In some cases, head tilting can indicate a medical issue when it’s persistent, sudden, or accompanied by other concerning symptoms, Dr. Kong says signs to watch for include:
- Loss of balance
- Vomiting
- Unusual eye movements
- Ear discharge
- Pain (e.g. whining or pawing at the ears)
- Head pressing
It’s important to consult a vet if you notice these signs in your dog, as these could be symptoms of the following:
- Vestibular disease: This disease affects your dog’s balance. While scary, vestibular disease is not fatal, and dogs can fully recover within just a few weeks. Treatment includes supportive care and symptomatic relief.
- Ear infections: Dogs can develop three types of ear infections: otitis externa, otitis media, and otitis interna. They have many causes, from allergies and excessive ear cleaning to parasites and foreign bodies. Ear infections are common but preventable with regular grooming and vet check-ups. Treatment may include medicated ear drops, anti-inflammatory medications, steroids, or, in severe cases, surgery.
- Neurological disorders: Many neurological disorders can affect dogs and cause various symptoms. Some disorders are treatable, and some are manageable. If you suspect your dog has a neurological disorder, schedule an appointment with your vet.
