Most people who own a dog might have experienced that wonderful moment when your doggy with pricked ears, locked eyes, suddenly becomes still and tilts his head, looking at you. We react to it with a smile, affection or play, and as a result motivates our canine pal to repeat the same behaviour in the future.

But, what does this cute gesture actually mean? Is the dog confused about what we are saying? Is he trying to comprehend our words? The answers to these questions are as beautiful and curiosity-provoking as the cuddly, loving face of your puppy.

Processing Emotions and Tuning In A study published in the academic journal named Science has pointed out that dogs register familiar words from humans in the left hemisphere of their brain. Furthermore, they also utilise an area in the right side of their brain to comprehend our tone, emotions, facial features and context while speaking.

This proves that dogs can differentiate between what we say and how we say it. Therefore, when you are calling your dog’s name or talking to him and if he suddenly tilts his head, it means that he is tuning into you and is trying to process your emotion, tone and intention with enhanced attention.

It is like a cable antenna tuning into a satellite signal; a sign of your dog’s affection and intelligence. He or she is processing your words and emotional state deeply and is preparing to respond in a way that strengthens your bond with each other.

Commonly Observed in Pups
In fact, this behavioural feature can be commonly observed in pups during their early stages of development. Many people have noted that while training them using hand signals or oral commands, dogs start tilting their heads. Here, the dog may be trying to get a finer view of our facial expressions so as to attain more details about what we are telling them.

Most people, when they see this cute gesture reinforce it by showing affection, love and cuddles. Therefore, our canine companion’s brain registers head tilting with a positive reaction. Since he is a very clever fellow, he will keep repeating this behaviour in the future to achieve more love and affection. Of course, he is a smart little lad!

Tilting as a Physical Adjustment
In some dogs with excess hair and flatter faces, such as bulldogs, sheep dogs and pugs, head titling is a behaviour to attain clearer sight. Tilting allows them to move the hair or change the angle of view and thereby obtain a clearer vision.

Moreover, sometimes they tilt their head just to change the position of their ears a bit. This will increase auditory perception and allow them to grasp minute variations in our intonations or voice. Many of us might have noticed our dogs instantly tilting their heads while hearing the bark of another dog on TV or from somewhere afar. The clever pooch is sharpening his concentration, adjusting ear’s position and processing the signals thoroughly.

What is the Dog Thinking?
When you and your dog are in a comfortable place like home, if he tilts his head, this could be the thoughts going through his brain: “My name has been called, he is looking at me with affection, cuddling me; some good things are going to happen.”

Hence, we should remember that each tilt is a subtle symbol of the unique ways that our dogs understand human interactions and love.

Should I Be Concerned? Occasional titling while talking to them or when we call their name is absolutely normal and healthy. But, if the dog’s head stays titled for more than a day, then we should be concerned.

Sometimes constant head tilting will be followed by symptoms including loss of balance and appetite, rhythmic eye movement, shaking head and walking in circles. These are symptoms of vestibular disease, a medical condition that disturbs the canine’s vestibular system. Vestibular system is responsible for coordination and balance. The main cause of this disease is an infection of the middle or inner ear.

Indeed, head injuries could also lead to constant head tilting. Thus, consulting your veterinarian is the best choice in these situations.

A dog with his tilted head is one of the most adorable sights for canine lovers. Today, researchers have proved that, if your dog tilts his or her head while looking at you, it points out their intelligence and deep processing abilities of their brain. Hence confirming the generational bond and emotional attachment that humans and our canine friends have developed over the years.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I say "I love you" in dog language?
You can say “I love you” to your dog through actions such as maintaining soft eye contact, speaking in a gentle tone, cuddling them slowly, offering treats, and by spending quality time together. Dogs understand love through your calm energy, affectionate touch, and consistent care more than through words.

What is a dog's way of saying "I love you"?
Dogs say “I love you” through body language; by wagging their tails, maintaining eye contact, following you around, leaning on you, bringing you toys, and licking you. These gestures show trust, affection, and a deep emotional bond with their human.

How do dogs choose their favorite person?
Dogs choose their favourite person based on socialisation, bonding experiences, and positive associations. They tend to prefer the person who gives them the most attention, care, playtime, and affection. That is, someone who meets their emotional and physical needs consistently.

Do dogs know when it's bedtime?
Yes, dogs know when it’s bedtime. They recognise routines and environmental cues including dimming lights, quiet surroundings, or your bedtime habits. Their internal body clock also helps them sense when it’s time to rest.