Title: Why Dogs May Tilt Their Heads When You Talk to Them | Psychology Today
Headings: Why Dogs May Tilt Their Heads When You Talk to Them
Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC
Why Dogs May Tilt Their Heads When You Talk to Them
Surprisingly, a dog's muzzle may be blocking his view of part of our faces.

Content: Why Dogs May Tilt Their Heads When You Talk to Them | Psychology Today
Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC
Canine Corner
Why Dogs May Tilt Their Heads When You Talk to Them
Surprisingly, a dog's muzzle may be blocking his view of part of our faces. Posted Dec 11, 2013
SHARE
TWEET
EMAIL
COMMENTS
Source: Alzbeta/Shutterstock
I have fond memories of my Beagle, Darby, coming into the kitchen when I was preparing dinner. I would casually chat with him, and when I turned to him to say something, he would cock his head to the side in a most endearing manner. Many people report that when they are speaking to their dog, their pet often tilts its head to the side, and some have asked me why that happens. Unfortunately, up to now, there has not been much research on this issue, although there has been some speculation. Some people have suggested that dogs tilt their heads to the side when we speak to them so that one ear can hear more clearly what we are saying. Others have suggested that it is a social signal—perhaps the dog recognizes that we respond to that particular posture in a positive way (because it is so cute), and therefore the dog adopts this position, because they are more likely to get smiles and rewards when they do. Source: SC Psychological Enterprises Ltd.
I suppose it is because I worked and did research in the area of sensory perception for many years that it dawned upon me that the reason some dogs tilt their heads when we are speaking to them has to do more with vision, rather than hearing and social endearment.