If you want a pup who\u2019s going to listen to you you\u2019re going to need to do some training. Just so happens we have an app for that! The Zigzag puppy training app<\/a> takes you through a training journey that\u2019s based around your pup\u2019s age and stage of emotional development. We also have a team of professional dog trainers<\/a> on hand to help you with your training, 7 days a week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"brown](\"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/tilted-.png\")
Why do dogs tilt their heads?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nDogs tilt their heads to show that they\u2019re paying attention or are interested in what you are saying. When they hear a strange noise or the sound of other animals, they also become alarmed. Certain breeds’ radar ears also go off! Here’s more on why dogs tilt their heads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. To show you engagement<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhen your dog tilts their head, they\u2019re showing you that they\u2019re listening and processing what you\u2019re saying to them, or that they\u2019re interested in what you\u2019re doing – could well be the opening of a treat packet<\/a>, dogs seem to tilt their head a lot when they hear that!<\/p>\n\n\n\n2. To hear you better<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhile dogs have good hearing, the nature of their ears allows them to process sounds more effectively when they tilt their heads. This is more common in dogs with floppy ears who must tilt their heads to hear what is going on. Pricked-eared dogs do tilt their heads but are more likely to spin their ears around like satellites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. To improve their view<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt might seem strange, but dogs also head tilt so that they can see better. By tilting their head, they\u2019re able to see past their snout and improve their range of vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. To show how they\u2019re feeling<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nDogs show their emotions through their body language, so if your dog tilts their head they\u2019re probably expressing themselves. Head tilting in canine body language <\/a>usually signifies that they\u2019re curious or unsure of something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n5. Because your dog is clever<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nRecent research showed that dogs who tilt their heads when asked to retrieve a particular toy by name, are classed as \u2018gifted word learners\u2019 and are smart dogs! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Source: An exploratory analysis of head-tilting in dogs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n6. They have a problem with their ears<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nDogs with ear infections or other ear problems, such as mites or fleas<\/a>, may tilt their heads. This is more common in certain breeds, such as those with pricked ears, like French Bulldogs,<\/a> as they catch a lot of dirt in there, or in hairy dogs, such as Cockapoos<\/a>, Labradoodles<\/a> and other poodle-crosses, who have a lot of fur in their ears. These breeds may require their hair plucking or trimming<\/a> to avoid ear problems. If water-loving dogs’ ears are not properly dried and cleaned after swimming, they may also develop ear infections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n7. Head tilting and vestibular problems<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe vestibular system manages your dog\u2019s balance, posture and head position. The vestibular organ comprises two parts, one in the brain and one in the middle and inner ear. Ear infections, hypothyroidism and brain injuries can all cause damage to the vestibular system and cause head tilting in dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8. Head tilting because it\u2019s cute<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nDoes it look cute when your dog tilts their head? Well, dogs understand that we often give them positive feedback and praise when they tilt their heads, and dogs find this reinforcing, so yep they tilt their heads more because we show them that we like it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
9. Parasites can cause head tilting<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nFleas<\/a> and ticks can cause a dog to shake their heads, as well as scratch at themselves<\/a>. Can’t blame them, get that thing out of my ears!<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"black](\"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/tilted-1.png\")
Photo by Alexander Grey<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow does head-tilting help with hearing?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nHead tilting improves a dog’s hearing by allowing them to hear more clearly. Dogs’ ears are extremely mobile, allowing them to move around and hear sounds from all directions rather than just directly in front of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When a dog hears an unusual sound, they\u2019ll prick their ears or tilt their head in that direction to learn more about it.The sound might be rewarding – the treat packet, or something to worry about, like fireworks<\/a>, so the more information they can get, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n![\"dog](\"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/tilted-2.png\")
Photo by Fredrik \u00d6hlander<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nShould I be worried that my dog is tilting their head?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIf your dog tilts their head, it can be cause for concern, but it is usually not serious unless accompanied by other signs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you’re concerned about head tilting in dogs, here are some warning signs to look out for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- The head tilting has come on suddenly – any sudden changes in your dog\u2019s behavior are worth paying attention to. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Your dog is scratching at their ears<\/a> while also tilting their head<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Your dog seems restless<\/a> or is panting<\/a> a lot<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Your dog is losing their balance or falling over<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Your dog is whining<\/a> or crying<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Your dog is tilting their head when there are no unusual sounds you can hear, and you\u2019re not interacting with them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Your dog is showing other signs of pain or illness.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
If you see any of the above, do contact your vet<\/a>, as they\u2019ll be able to thoroughly examine your dog and see if there is any cause for concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe hope you enjoyed reading this article and learned why dogs tilt their heads. They quite often tilt their heads for cute reasons but also to get a better look or a listen of something. Ear tilting can be concerning, so look for other signs that your dog has an ear infection, fleas and ticks, or something neurological that needs to be investigated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fancy learning some more about dog health? Check out our article on what to do if your dog is itching and scratching their ears<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Download the Zigzag training app today, and you\u2019ll get complete life skills training, socialization exercises, advice on puppy biting and toilet training, and much more! Not just that our team of puppy trainers <\/a>are on hand to answer all of your training and behavior questions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
When your dog tilts their head, they\u2019re showing you that they\u2019re listening and processing what you\u2019re saying to them, or that they\u2019re interested in what you\u2019re doing – could well be the opening of a treat packet<\/a>, dogs seem to tilt their head a lot when they hear that!<\/p>\n\n\n\n While dogs have good hearing, the nature of their ears allows them to process sounds more effectively when they tilt their heads. This is more common in dogs with floppy ears who must tilt their heads to hear what is going on. Pricked-eared dogs do tilt their heads but are more likely to spin their ears around like satellites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It might seem strange, but dogs also head tilt so that they can see better. By tilting their head, they\u2019re able to see past their snout and improve their range of vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dogs show their emotions through their body language, so if your dog tilts their head they\u2019re probably expressing themselves. Head tilting in canine body language <\/a>usually signifies that they\u2019re curious or unsure of something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recent research showed that dogs who tilt their heads when asked to retrieve a particular toy by name, are classed as \u2018gifted word learners\u2019 and are smart dogs! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Source: An exploratory analysis of head-tilting in dogs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Dogs with ear infections or other ear problems, such as mites or fleas<\/a>, may tilt their heads. This is more common in certain breeds, such as those with pricked ears, like French Bulldogs,<\/a> as they catch a lot of dirt in there, or in hairy dogs, such as Cockapoos<\/a>, Labradoodles<\/a> and other poodle-crosses, who have a lot of fur in their ears. These breeds may require their hair plucking or trimming<\/a> to avoid ear problems. If water-loving dogs’ ears are not properly dried and cleaned after swimming, they may also develop ear infections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The vestibular system manages your dog\u2019s balance, posture and head position. The vestibular organ comprises two parts, one in the brain and one in the middle and inner ear. Ear infections, hypothyroidism and brain injuries can all cause damage to the vestibular system and cause head tilting in dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Does it look cute when your dog tilts their head? Well, dogs understand that we often give them positive feedback and praise when they tilt their heads, and dogs find this reinforcing, so yep they tilt their heads more because we show them that we like it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fleas<\/a> and ticks can cause a dog to shake their heads, as well as scratch at themselves<\/a>. Can’t blame them, get that thing out of my ears!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Head tilting improves a dog’s hearing by allowing them to hear more clearly. Dogs’ ears are extremely mobile, allowing them to move around and hear sounds from all directions rather than just directly in front of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When a dog hears an unusual sound, they\u2019ll prick their ears or tilt their head in that direction to learn more about it.The sound might be rewarding – the treat packet, or something to worry about, like fireworks<\/a>, so the more information they can get, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your dog tilts their head, it can be cause for concern, but it is usually not serious unless accompanied by other signs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re concerned about head tilting in dogs, here are some warning signs to look out for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you see any of the above, do contact your vet<\/a>, as they\u2019ll be able to thoroughly examine your dog and see if there is any cause for concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We hope you enjoyed reading this article and learned why dogs tilt their heads. They quite often tilt their heads for cute reasons but also to get a better look or a listen of something. Ear tilting can be concerning, so look for other signs that your dog has an ear infection, fleas and ticks, or something neurological that needs to be investigated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fancy learning some more about dog health? Check out our article on what to do if your dog is itching and scratching their ears<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2. To hear you better<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. To improve their view<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. To show how they\u2019re feeling<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Because your dog is clever<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
6. They have a problem with their ears<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
7. Head tilting and vestibular problems<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
8. Head tilting because it\u2019s cute<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
9. Parasites can cause head tilting<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How does head-tilting help with hearing?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Should I be worried that my dog is tilting their head?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Download the Zigzag training app today, and you\u2019ll get complete life skills training, socialization exercises, advice on puppy biting and toilet training, and much more! Not just that our team of puppy trainers <\/a>are on hand to answer all of your training and behavior questions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"