Canine behaviourist Will Atherton has explained the reason behind the common yet endearing behaviour of dogs tilting their heads when their owners speak to them. In a TikTok video, he described the behaviour as “way more fascinating than most people realise” and said understanding it can make owners better at connecting with their pets.
What Happens When a Dog Tilts Its Head?
Atherton explained that when a dog hears its owner's voice, it performs two tasks simultaneously: locating the precise source of the sound and reading facial expressions and lip movements to gather information about what is being communicated. The head tilt physically adjusts the position of the ears to improve directional hearing and moves the muzzle out of the dog's line of sight, allowing it to see the owner's face more clearly.
Head Tilting Reflects Bond Strength
According to Atherton, dogs that have a stronger bond with their owner tilt their heads more frequently. “It is a sign that your dog is genuinely engaged with you and that they are trying to understand you, and that they see you as a source of meaningful information,” he said. He added that the behaviour is not a random quirk but a meaningful form of communication.
Practical Advice for Owners
Atherton encouraged owners to recognise the head tilt as their dog working hard to connect with them. “Lean into that, work with it more, engage with them more and build that relationship through it more,” he advised. He described the behaviour as “the foundation of everything” in the human-dog relationship.
