Tilting angles a dog’s ear to better detect where puzzling sounds are coming from. It helps them pinpoint the source of noises.
Hearing
Angling their sightline gives dogs a new perspective to decode visual cues and movements related to unfamiliar sounds.
Vision
A head tilt signals the dog is intensely focused trying to grasp meaning from odd sounds, words, or gestures they don’t understand.
Confusion
Dogs tilt heads more with owners as it draws attention, affection and furthers social bonding. They learn it gets a response.
Bonding
Some dogs mirror a head-tilted person without realizing. It happens through unconscious emotional contagion and deep bonding.
Mimicry
Tilting may help funnel air better to a dog’s nose and Jacobson’s organ for easier smelling of pheromones and odors.
Scenting
Some dogs just pick up quirky head-tilting habits on their own or from previous owners that stick long-term.
Individual