{"id":9907,"date":"2022-12-21T12:35:05","date_gmt":"2022-12-21T12:35:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/blog\/uncategorized\/why-does-my-dog-keep-shaking-their-head\/"},"modified":"2023-05-25T14:28:39","modified_gmt":"2023-05-25T14:28:39","slug":"why-does-my-dog-keep-shaking-their-head","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/en-us\/blog\/puppy-behavior\/understanding-your-puppy\/why-does-my-dog-keep-shaking-their-head\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Does My Dog Keep Shaking Their Head?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Do you have a dog who nods? If your dog seems to be shaking their head like a bobblehead, it can look quite worrying. So why do they do it? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We won\u2019t give you the shake-off at Zigzag. We\u2019re here to help! Let\u2019s get down to it. In this article, we\u2019ll go through the reasons that dogs shake their heads, whether you should be worried about your dog shaking their head, the health conditions that can be associated with your dog\u2019s head shaking, and what you can do if your dog\u2019s head does not seem to want to stop shaking. 
Oh, and you\u2019ll want to hear all about Zigzag. Professional dog trainers and behaviorists created the Zigzag<\/a> training app to make your puppyhood journey as smooth as possible. We have step-by-step training programs that follow your puppy through each stage of their development, while also focusing on their breed. We also have a dream team of puppy coaches<\/a> to help and support you every step of the way\u2026especially when you run into trouble. Download the app<\/a> and start training today!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Anima Visual<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Why does my dog keep shaking their head?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dogs shake or nod their heads when itchy, have a headache, or feel pain around their face. But head shaking or bobbing can also be caused by neurological issues, so it could be a sign of something more serious and something you shouldn\u2019t leave until later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your dog has itchy ears<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Head shaking in dogs is often related to itchy or irritated ears. As you have hopefully noticed, dogs don\u2019t have hands, so they may shake their head, or scratch and paw at their ears<\/a> to try and relieve discomfort. Infection, grass seeds, mites, fleas<\/a>, and bacteria can make your dog\u2019s ears itch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To relieve pain in their head<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If your dog has a sore neck or head, they can shake their head as a way of relieving pain. They may feel pain from wearing a collar<\/a> that\u2019s too tight, or from an injury you haven\u2019t seen yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To clear their ears of water<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have a dog who enjoys swimming, they will frequently have water in their ears after taking a dip. If you\u2019ve had water in your ears before, you know how horribly uncomfortable this is, which perfectly explains why they might shake their head. If you think this is the case, check if the ears are dry since watery ears can cause infections – the most common one is referred to as swimmer’s ear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your dog may be stressed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Overarousal and excitement can cause dogs to shake their heads, as well as their whole bodies. Some dogs will even sneeze<\/a>. It\u2019s a bit of a hectic sight sometimes.  
In our guides on canine body language<\/a> and how to calm your dog down<\/a>, you can learn much more about these situations and what you can do if the excitement gets out of hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Erika Fletcher<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Should I be worried that my dog is shaking their head?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If your dog has suddenly begun shaking their head, is shaking their head uncontrollably, or you notice an increase in head shaking, keep an eye on them – don\u2019t join them in the head-banging. Check and clean their ears, look for any signs of injury, and consult your veterinarian<\/a> if you have any questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If left untreated, ear infections can be serious and painful for your dog. If you\u2019ve had them before, you know they\u2019re no joke. Talk to your vet immediately if you suspect your dog has one!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s worth noting that lots of breeds of dogs have problems with their ears, whether it\u2019s due to their ears being pricked like French Bulldogs<\/a>, or needing their hairy ears plucked or trimmed<\/a> in breeds such as Cockapoos<\/a>, Cavapoos<\/a> and other poodle crosses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Other breeds, such as Labradors<\/a>, Cocker Spaniels<\/a>, and other water-loving gundogs<\/a> who enjoy swimming, can have a buildup of water in their ears, so as long as you keep them clean and dry after they jump in for a dip, you shouldn’t have too much concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conditions associated with head shaking in dogs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Head shaking can be a common symptom in the following illnesses and conditions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n