Why Do Dogs Tilt Their Heads?

Is this adorable behavior rooted in sensory necessity or purposeful gesticulation? We explore what may be the cutest research ever.
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Our question for the day is “Why do dogs tilt their heads?”, and I’ve gotta warn you: This is one of those questions where the answer is “No one knows for sure.”
But we do have some educated guesses. They tend to fall into three categories: Sight, Sound, and Psychology.
Sight is the easy one. Imagine that you have a snout. At certain angles, it would block certain parts of your vision.
We know that pooches can watch human faces and respond appropriately to expressions of emotion, like happiness or anger.
Research published over the past couple years has found that dogs systematically look at our entire faces, especially our eyes, to get a handle on our emotions.
So it makes sense that a dog would tilt its head to better see your face, and therefore determine whether treats are on the way.
But not all dogs have long muzzles. If sight were the only factor in head tilting, brachycephalic babies like pugs would never tilt.
Let’s look at Sound. Dogs’ hearing tends to be at least twice as sensitive as humans’ - we hear sound waves that occur in the range of about 20 to 20,000 vibrations per second (or Hertz).
Dogs, depending on their breed and age, can hear sounds of about 40 to 65,000 Hertz. Meaning they can detect sounds of much higher pitches from much further away.
Dogs cope with all that audio information partially by moving around their pinna: their fuzzy, scritchable outer ears. So some canines - especially those with floppy pinna covering the front of their ear openings - may tilt their heads to move their pinna and hone in on the sounds you’re making.
Furthermore, dogs have muscles that let them better process sounds in their middle ears. Those muscles just happen to be governed by part of the brainstem called the nucleus ambiguus - yeah, it's called the nucleus ambiguus - which just happens to also govern facial expressions, gaze, vocalizations, and head movements.
This could mean that dogs reflexively tilt their heads, sort of as a byproduct of trying to concentrate on a sound.
Or, as Stephen R. Lindsay says in his “Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training,” that brainstem connection could encourage head-tilting as a form of communication.
Meaning that when Buddy tilts his head, he’s trying to say that he’s paying attention to me. He sees me! He really sees me!
But, as with all studies into animal behavior, this Psychology factor is the most difficult to figure out. Some researchers suggest that dogs tilt their heads so often because they know we find it stinkin’ adorable. Specifically, because we respond with praise or other positive feedback when they tilt.
Studies have shown that dogs use social cues with humans that they don’t use with each other, like direct eye contact, to elicit positive responses. Maybe all that head tilting is just the very cutest form of emotional manipulation. .
SOURCES:
www.eurekalert....
www.cell.com/cu....
www.psychology....
hypertextbook.c....
www.doghealth.....
www.petplace.co....
www.wiley.com/W....
tvblogs.nationa......
www.thedodo.co....
www.livescience....
www.psychology....
www.sciencedail....
www.alphagalile....

[@hydrogenroar]

Dogs tilt their heads because it's their way of saying, "wtf?"

[@shelton191]

Lmaoo that's what i think too

[@wengdingzhong]

Please mark this as correct answer!

[@oluadefope2767]

Seriously whoever made this video does not understand dogs

[@donborracho3019]

This comment just killed her entire vid. LOL I agree with you sir.

[@GiselleOMG1]

thats so wrong lmao it just looks like they're doing that. the person knows more about dogs than you too Olu.

[@bananewane1402]

to make themselves look cuter, of course

[@morgan6807]

Lol

[@triplelifting7126]

W

[@gamerboii7529]

Banane Wane lol ikr

[@BratzDoll03]

Banane Wane 😂😂 lol right!

[@PB50.]

After looking at ur pfp I can no longer laugh.

[@wheelmanjosh1982]

I always thought it was dog body language for puzzlement.

[@ElsaCatInc]

Same XD

[@Ace2k12onxbox]

Same

[@msherazi1259]

ReviewCam Ikr! I love it when my dog tilts his head when I talk to him- he does it especially when I ask him a questiok 😀

[@msherazi1259]

*question

[@thuanmtrang]

Agreed. My dogs will often turn their heads at funny noises at the door or from outside. They have no interest in me, and I never explicitly praised them for that behavior.

[@theemaraldgamer]

Dogs tilt their heads cuz it's so fucking cute

[@Moonect]

Yep, like my puppy

[@theemaraldgamer]

***** What the hell is wrong with you?

[@dilaraakca4686]

Indeed >\\

[@makimasupremacy9945]

BEST-IALITY

[@vonwane]

I always thought it was the dog's way of saying: "say what?" LOL

[@spoiledbrat7516]

SAAAAAAAME

[@qwertykeyboardruletee5316]

Same I have a Samoyed and he does that alot

[@stampersierra]

Me too. lol

[@harveystew]

It is.

[@IGotItLikeThat]

It means, "Bitch, did you say _____?! Better not be lyin'." (Insert bacon, walk, dinner, snack, treat, park, peanut butter, etc.)

[@peterpiper_203]

When my dog used to blink at me I would blink back Just in case it was code for something 😂😂😂 Edit: Thanks for all the likes Y'all

[@kills26]

lol me too :)

[@peterpiper_203]

Right On

[@VioletLunaChan]

"Society is lying to us, goverments plan to kill all the weak, do you know that, human?"

[@peterpiper_203]

Grand knight Who exactly were your comments directed at

[@BrainStuffShow]

No one, as they're now banned. We've got a zero tolerance policy for racist threats, y'all.

[@FXM420]

I've always felt like when dogs do that they're questioning something. Maybe they're questioning what sound they're hearing, or questioning what you're doing. Who knows lol

[@yentlcloud]

i feel the same way~!

[@alexamcdonald6895]

Thats what I thought

[@melakneeb9]

SarahSoAwesome I always thought that my dog was confused about something. She likes to tilt her head if I do something abnormal. Lol.

[@TonecrafteLuthiery]

SarahSoAwesome That's probably because humans tilt their heads to the left when you ask a question and they don't fully understand. It's much more subtle and not everyone does it, but every time you ask a question and the person says, "What?" see if you notice their head tilting. My point being that you've been getting subtle visual clues for your entire life to recognize that when someone tilts their head, they don't understand you. Its only natural that your brain would assume the same for dogs. Or maybe the dog's head tilt preceeded human head tilts, and we've picked up our visual cues from that. Not sure.

[@chryslerterraria1035]

SarahSoAwesome you're right when they tilt their head that means they're curious about the sound you're making

[@sansfromcoolmathgames]

It's because they're goddamn precious angels born into this world to bless our bleak and meaningless lives with their fucking heavenly aura of sheer cuteness, which is why I won't rest unTIL EVERY DOG HAS RECEIVED THE CUDDLES AND GIVEN THE APPROPRIATE PATS.

[@diegoochoa572]

lol

[@justinford7222]

same

[@unicorngt8513]

Dogs are ugly but cats are cute!

[@buzzoff5026]

I think dogs are cute but the head tilting annoys the shit out of me for some reason.

[@hornetgags]

+Unicorn GT Says the person who lives alone with 17 of them...

[@kaibilbalam-gonzalez9584]

My dog tilts her head when I talk in a deep demonic voice. lol

[@HustleKings357]

lmfao bro record that

[@glovampkane8724]

I second that

[@JS-hf3oz]

I do that too I thought I was the only weirdo

[@peacock4117]

mr pickles

[@ffsviki]

Hahhahahahahahahh

[@dirk1526]

my dog tilts her head to the beat whenever I listen to a song with a lot of bass

[@mzjackofalltrades21]

Haha that's awesome

[@mistertagnan]

Dirk Alurkastan I watch a video with a lot of alarms going off, and my dog tilted his head and looked like "wtf"

[@IglooDweller]

Put it on KZbin!

[@wolfie23288]

Lol

[@jasontungjw]

Because you know I'm all about that bass, bout that bass, that trouble.

[@CrystalTwinStar]

when i'm around puppies, I make a puppy whining noise just to get them to tilt their head

[@ronb7939]

samee😂😂

[@CrystalTwinStar]

@@ronb7939 Im glad I'm not the only one!. ha ha!

[@sebassbl4085]

I did the same thing to my puppy but it no longer works

[@vishwavachharajani6112]

Me toooo.... 😛😛🤣🤣

[@kimlsnyder]

@@hazy8349 no

[@IMThEGoD100]

yeah sometimes i tilt my head too because of my big ass nose

[@scottvelez3154]

Are you Jewish? Jude! Holen Sie sich auf den Zug!

[@jmdefault]

Wanted to write 'Get yourself on the train' but writes 'Kindly retrieve the train!' instead. Google Translator, I guess.

[@yaboyosama6639]

IMThEGoD100 same

[@bdizzzzy]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Narasukedon]

I thought they did it when they were confused because when I did something weird or made a weird sound they'd tilt their heads but once I did it a few times they stopped doing it

[@dmaster225]

Same here, the dogs Ive owned through the years all do it when they see something unusual.

[@marilyngarcia8524]

same

[@roseparedes5942]

Narasukedon that is true

[@Lilly-hh1fv]

hi I am bo the golden retriever and yes humans doing that is weird but I learned to accept it I love my owners anyway and you haven't lost you sanity mr wolf an if you are so hungry then ask humans for food

[@LynetteTheMadScientist]

I tilt my head to signify when I'm confused in a conversation.

[@dogminister]

I thought they do that when they don't understand what ur saying

[@SakakiDash]

Yeah, they tend to do it when they do not understand stuff or are studying stuff. Possibly to hear see better what is going on.

[@nyx5995]

Iliyan Husein i ask my dog if he needs to go potty and the tilts his head so i dont think so

[@splashenful]

My previous dog used to tilt his head, when he was trying to contemplate what we were saying to him. He actually learned quite a bit of what we could say, far beyond his name; walk; & other words most dogs could master. Very, very, smart little boy.

[@caseyvee4419]

I know a male human who tilts his head. Don't know what the hell is up with him.

[@kaylakay1]

Lmao

[@adriansalazar841]

Tim Duncan

[@NishikoRyuu]

He's just a furry! ~

[@utetopia1620]

I've never met you before in my life.

[@bigbeatyswollocks4859]

Casey Vee us humans do tilt our heads when we see something that we lunge the look of for example when you see a very nice car or house we will tilt our head

[@ralez1178]

My dog just does it to judge me when ever I'm singing

[@mikestoneadfjgs]

She winks when she puts emphasis on certain phrases, its adorable.

[@eldridgefelder3427]

I have no doubt dogs tilt their heads because they are witnessing something that is puzzling to them in the behavior of another animal or human. For example, if they sees someone the dog trust, and that person does something unexpected or weird, the dog would probably tilt his head as a response of "What are you doing and why?"

[@GeminiSunrise06]

i agree, when i use mouth wash, he tilts his head since it's weird to him that i don't drink the thing, unlike water. But now that he is useds to see me do this, he doesnt titlt anymore

[@calamar1e320]

I've got this habit, where I tilt my head like a dog when I'm confused. Like if someone asks a weird question, I tilt my head.

[@brothernature1040]

Wow you're a special snowflake aren't ya bud

[@BlueyHeelerluvsBeatles]

I do the same. I think a lot of people do it. I do that at school a lot

[@calamar1e320]

+Sky Striker Yes, I am, and don't forget it, buddy.

[@gene2u]

Me too, bud. My boss did it too.

[@mjsbiggestfan1997]

Same lol

[@Konpekikaminari]

my family usually jokes that our dog tilts her head to focus all her IQ into one point

[@casekocsk]

Doges tilt their head because they can sense earth rotation and try to cope with it to try and figuring out the evil and earth domination plan that cates are planning... jk...

[@mudkip_btw]

Everything makes sense now omg

[@vnleao]

Another factor that doesn't really fall neatly into any of the categories mentioned (I would label it "social" not "psychological" but I suppose either will do.) When a dog is focused and interested in something, their features and body language are very "on," which could be misinterpreted as being overbearing or a challenge of dominance when a higher ranking individual is present (like an owner.) The head tilt might be our dogs' way of showing their enthusiasm and interest while clearly conveying that their close focus and very direct body language is not a threat, nor an invitation to play, etc. For dogs, looking into their eyes is most fundamentally an action of dominance. When close contact is appropriate, however, a head tilt could say "I'm not looking directly at you even though I have to point my eyes directly at you, so let my head tilt show you I'm not challenging you or looking for a fight."

[@yentlcloud]

ah thats also a really nice theory

[@ChevyMustang-sf7mf]

I'm pretty sure my dog did that to me to tell me "WTF?" because he would only do it to me when I would do something really weird?

[@stefanken8133]

mine too - espesially when i make strange noises, but i ran out of strange noises :D

[@genericusername6644]

8 Mexican Guys They do that to find there emotions, the reason dogs tilt there head is a built in response by brain. We are able to understand emotions better by looking from a certain angle.

[@ScientistCat]

Not all dogs have long muzzles, but their wolf ancestors did; so if the "sight" explanation is true, then pugs and boxers would still tilt their heads as a leftover trait. The "psychology" explanation, however, seems a bit fallacious since it seems to be about dogs interacting specifically with humans, whereas I recall videos and pictures of wolves tilting their heads at each other (and maybe at other animals).

[@ScientistCat]

Oh yeah, speaking of others, don't other animals (such as birds) also tilt their heads?

[@kathaai]

humans also tilt their head x3

[@eevee3563]

i tilt my head... its weeeird.

[@jordanNoah24]

ScientistCat foxy

[@niklausfletcher2290]

to be fair humans tilt their head slightly when trying to hear sounds

[@torinjones3221]

I do it when I am confused or not sure what I am looking at etc

[@7777777Beau7777777]

I turn my head upside down lol

[@Carehubsoundandmusic]

I love this Woman’s presentational energy 👌🏾

[@yourwisecousinjoe8841]

my dog tilts it's head because he wants the food I am eating...😂😂

[@savagenightwraith4499]

when my dog tilts his head I do the same lol

[@biohazard737]

02:03 thought she said "gays"

[@cookiesncream789]

+biohazard737 me too LMAO!

[@maazmustafa288]

She did

[@hunterfunnyguy]

+Maaz Mustafa "Gaze"

[@Untamedlobster69420]

Me also

[@siniok3952]

+jarred marques gaze. and gays. they sound exactly the same.

[@gabriellacumberbatch2155]

lol I thought I just meant they were confused af😂

[@thesamuraihobbit]

I always though they do it when they hear, see, or smell something unfamiliar. It's like their way of saying, "Wtf was that?"

[@ieasiaa]

whenever my dog tilts his head its usually when i say something in another language or a new command

[@EliteCleanCo]

She keeps blinking one eye and its driving me nuts.

[@repeatrepeatrepeat]

WHY DID I SEE THIS COMMENT BEFORE SEEING THE VIDEO. and btw, now you are breathing manually.

[@NoName-jg3ci]

Omg why did you tell us that...now I keep noticing

[@mothman84]

+Darrin Wynne Am I the only one who never pays any attention to stuff like that?

[@Nic_Aster]

+mothman84 now you know

[@jjchick95]

yes. yes you are.

[@twilightprincess867]

My Jack Russell tilts her head whenever I ask her questions, especially when the sentence begins with "do you wanna..." She usually gets super excited, it's adorable!

[@crispyoctopus9037]

Please notice me i'm so lonely

[@BrainStuffShow]

You are seen, lonely crispy octopus.

[@katelinrose6786]

XD

[@katelinrose6786]

FBI Brysi Really? But I'm a stale cookie, and no one likes stale cookies. Will you be the first to like stale cookies? D:

[@crispyoctopus9037]

I am grateful. thankyou

[@katelinrose6786]

XD

[@xexiacaxle6549]

Our dog tilt her head when I'm acting like pennywise

[@tridentseven693]

My dog tilts his head all the time when this one Apple TV commercial comes on. It plays this one weird song and he's focused on the TV for quite awhile even after the commercial ends xD

[@fatfox6706]

Do you have a Toy Fox Terrier? They like T.V

[@tridentseven693]

No, I have a black lab. He likes TV too though. Especially when I'm watching baseball.

[@mitch19636]

My Malt loves Star Trek TNG.

[@rideordie658]

I have a pen.... I have an apple.......... APPLE PEN I hI have a pen.... I have an apple.......... APPLE PEN I have a pen.... I have an apple.......... APPLE PEN I have a pen.... I have an apple.......... APPLE PEN I have a pen.... I have an apple.......... APPLE PEN I have a pen.... I have an apple.......... APPLE PEN I have a pen.... I have an apple.......... APPLE PEN I have a pen.... I have an apple.......... APPLE PEN I have a pen.... I have an apple.......... APPLE PEN I have a pen.... I have an apple.......... APPLE PEN I have a pen.... I have an apple.......... APPLE PEN I have a pen.... I have an apple.......... APPLE PEN I have a pen.... I have an apple.......... APPLE PEN I have a pen.... I have an apple.......... APPLE PEN I have a pen.... I have an apple.......... APPLE PEN I have a pen.... I have an apple.......... APPLE PEN I have a pen.... I have an apple.......... APPLE PEN ave a pen.... I have an apple.......... APPLE PEN I have a pen.... I have an apple.......... APPLE PEN I have a pen.... I have an apple.......... APPLE PEN I have a pen.... I have an apple.......... APPLE PEN I have a pen.... I have an apple.......... APPLE PEN

[@rideordie658]

Fat Fox I know but hey i have pen.... i have an apple..... ??...?? APPLE PEN

[@DJBURBZ]

dogs tilt their heads because they're planning something sinister 😈

[@Sathrandur]

And with cats you can assume they are regardless of their body language.

[@ethanae3968]

When my dog was a puppy and he heard a new word or noise from us he would tilt his head

[@somerandom1615]

if a weird sound was being made that didn't sound human or animal like my dog would tilt his head

[@torielric]

My dog would tilt once, maybe, realize it was one of us, then ignore the sound completely. Cute little brat...

[@barad8284]

"hey brain-stuff, cristen here" are you fucking kiding me?!

[@BrainStuffShow]

No joke! Her name really is Cristen.

[@seangray5897]

What's the issue with her name being Cristen? I've never seen it spelled that way but it's a pretty common name

[@RamboToReality]

Sean Gray It's a Vsauce reference

[@givenfamily7193]

Are you FUCKEN KIDDING ME MY FIRST VIDEO OF BRAIN STUFF ALREADY A HATER 😡

[@Piperthedog-tr7xh]

barad your mean >:(

[@Lili-ey1nd]

that sweater. that sweater.

[@punchyroux]

I like that sweater

[@genericusername6644]

Liana Deprospo It's terrible, sorry but I had to.

[@alexagarza666]

My dog tilts. Mostly it's when she hears something new and I think it's her way of showing confusion or trying to process what she's hearing

[@CapnHolic]

I'm flattered lady, but I'm taken, so stop winking at me.

[@kristinelouds2199]

They tilt their head because theyre like "huh?" My dog tilt her head when i call her on soft tone 😹😹 teasing her

[@jamiedunne4727]

My dog tilts his head with every word that starts with "w"

[@KonradofKrakow]

wow

[@johnla6922]

Yes because he things your going to say walk

[@kathaai]

well that is only if this person is english or tge dog listens to english commands

[@jamiedunne4727]

Sirafien+Yes I am English well I speak English but I'm from N.Ireland

[@yentlcloud]

puppy's seem to do it because they dont understand something : my dog would only do it when hearing new sounds or seeing new things when she got older she stopped doing it, i took that as them trying to ''ask'' lots of dogs also do it when you have treats because they are ''asking'' if thats for them. i thought this was honestly the only logical explenation so i have always thought of it as fact XD i just now discovered nobody really know why they do it lol.

[@silentnight3479]

I think it's just when they're confused or curious.

[@huskylover8167]

Whenever I go to the drive thru at the pharmacist my dog tilts his head to make himself cute so he makes the people give him treats.

[@bluemas5]

why does she keep winking at me?

[@bluemas5]

***** damn gravitational waves..

[@huskylover8167]

My dog was tilting his head while I was watching this video lol

[@bookmark8899]

did she say 'Gays' at 2:02?

[@BrainStuffShow]

'Gaze'.

[@zakk-kaye]

It took me a moment to process that :)

[@marcodiaz6124]

That Moment When a Reply has More Likes than the Comment

[@shawnhickey5072]

Gaze as in looking

[@HupfDole87]

That was exactly my thought there :D I´m not alone :)

[@vinilla02]

my dogs tilt their heads whenever they hear a sound they arent familiar with or they are unsure of where it came from. recently the tv made a sound just like my dog yawning (she has a very unique yawn) and she had her head tilted and ears perked up for a good 5 minutes trying to figure out what it was

[@gek5860]

2:02 Gays??

[@ThePoptartster]

Yes. The nucleus ambiguus controls facial expression and gays.

[@Presca1]

I thought she said gays too :D LOL

[@KartikayKaul]

Ruck me! Ruck me! I want to get Rucked So Rast! Fun fun! fun or he will Ruck you! Dont let him Ruck you! Ror he is a bad human

[@MissxLariz]

No everyone. She said gays. Because its science.

[@KartikayKaul]

ThePoptartster Haha

[@itsmist-er]

They do it because they are curious or think you're weird. one dog tilts his head more and more depending on how weird you act.

[@horsepower523]

Yeah, I'm going with emotional manipulation, because it's just so freakin cute when they tilt their heads.

[@avaunderdahl5383]

me: "do you wanna go for a..." my dog: *tilts his head* me: "wALK" my dog: *vigorously tilts his head to the other side and wiggles his body*

[@Cerulean0987]

My cat used to tilt her head and move her mouth as if talking.

[@hundragant]

My friend has this adorable granny dog. And whenever you ask it. "Does Arrow love Rainbows!" She tilts her head and gets excited. Super cute.

[@krisrina4649]

2:25 Hm my dog's name is Buddy...😂

[@IcyMint7]

SO IS MY DOG 😂😂😂 it's weird

[@Abbenxena]

it's not weird, it's just a majorly overused dog name, like Rover or rex or (around where I live) Sam (for male and female) and Lily

[@krisrina4649]

+Abbenxena yeah but I don't like in America and we here don't talk English but I like the English dog name "buddy" so I gave it to my husky, but like 2% of dogs are named Buddy around here cause It's kinda hard to pronounce properly 😂

[@SmigGames]

My dog's name is Dog.

[@afox5319]

Our German shep is called Reichsführer

[@RemixedVoice]

My dogs tilts his head every time he hears food balls dropping and clanging against his metal bowl.

[@burt591]

So we can hear sound of 20 Hz but dogs can't?

[@BrainStuffShow]

+burt591 Generally, yes.

[@Thelegendofyoutubeking]

why humans have brains

[@Nic_Aster]

+Nida Nazir is that a serious question?!

[@BryonLetterman]

+Nicoto “MrDudeweds” Reviglio looks like we found someone without one

[@gummybearz-jo1kb]

+Bryon Letterman ohhhh savage 😂😂😂

[@heyitsritu]

Whenever my dog is exposed to some kinda new sound he has never heard before, he tilts his head to grasp and map it in his head and the next time he hears the same sound he doesn't tilt but he pays attention like, " hey, I am familiar with this sound." Sooo adorable 😍

[@hobbes2555]

"We actually don't know" Stopped watching.

[@leroymccoy9008]

I like to say "ohdapuppygobyebye" and the head tilts everytime lol.

[@Tykami1]

when I ask my dog a question or just talking to him (about my day), his facial expression says he is confused but almost as if he is trying to understand.

[@LB__1]

I remember when I was younger and I was watching TV with my dog on my lap. I started mimicking one of the characters on the show and the dog looked right at me, perked up her ears and tilted her head. She gave me that "wtf" look. After that, I would always try different sounds to get her to do that.

[@christianaupont8924]

It doesn't matter why the do it. All I know is that it is cute!!!!!

[@garymarshall7559]

I recently rescued a 1 and a half yo Husky. Lovable fella apart from the Husky escapism stuff. He does his head tilt every time i say "do you wanna...". I don't say walk or anything like that, but he clearly understands that that phrase means something fun, the head tilts are on point here. My GSDs, (the best head tilters in the animal kingdom) always had max head tilt to something I was saying that they "maybe" understood, but always knew to be something awesome for them, walks, beach, training with treats...

[@emanon692001]

Or, they're just confused about something. Why do we need to over complicate something?

[@emanon692001]

Humans are not the only animals that can be confused. Just because there isn't scientific proof, yet, that dogs can be confused doesn't mean they can't. A little education for you, moron. abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=99626

[@emanon692001]

What I'm trying to say is a dog may tilt their head because they might be confused. There is no proof that this isn't true. But I have shown evidence that other animals may show confusion. So why can't dogs? I don't know about you but I'm not an expert on dogs and it's probably safe to say you're not too. That being said neither of us know the exact reason dogs tilt their head. So it is of my opinion that dogs may tilt their head in confusion and that this video over complicated this. I also like to believe my dog and other animals are more than just dumb animals. By the way you should stop with the name calling. You called me a moron so I called you one back. That makes us even but doing it again is just seems silly.

[@emanon692001]

Also I'm not saying this video is wrong. I just think what I'm saying could be an option and in my opinion they over complicated this topic in this video.

[@chrisofstars]

Yup. Exactly.

[@emanon692001]

Thank you and that's the wonderful thing about an opinion. But I did provide proof. It was that link I provided. Its not a lot of proof but it is there. Also the lady in the video even mentioned that a dogs head tilt isn't exactly known. The examples she gave are sciences best explanations. My view is no better or worse than what she mentioned. Its only another take on the topic. After giving it some thought, I don't think the video's explanation was overly complicated anymore. I feel its extra wordy. This is with good cause though. Some people may understand a topic better than others and because their audience is worldwide they have to explain the topic in as much detail as possible, giving everyone the same chance to understand the topic.

[@AramaiJonassi]

It's just their way of focusing and letting you know you have their attention. They know you're asking them a question and giving them an option. It's their way of understanding new things and confirming what you're asking them. It's their preparation to give you a response. None verbal communication is fascinating when it comes to dogs. They understand a lot more than we think.

[@johnnybravo8129]

Wow this video was completely pointless

[@brendaji3217]

My dog tilts his head when I face time and when the person I am face timing with says his name, he tilts his head smelling the phone 😂😂

[@dogmahacker8278]

Do wolves tilt their heads too? Might give more insight.

[@davidbeppler3032]

+Andre Danielz yes. Watch a nature show. Domestic dogs do it for a different reason though. think of it like a "?" Wolves do it to adjust hearing more often but will do it when they see something funny too. :)

[@dnedwrds]

How much you wanna bet that photo was found on google by typing in: "Pug with tilted head"

[@rodgerrodger6298]

uhhhhh were we not supposed to see the background change color from green to red/orange?

[@BrainStuffShow]

Nope, that was on purpose.

[@rodgerrodger6298]

BrainStuff - HowStuffWorks xD

[@PBS-x2i]

What's so funny?

[@skylarformby9043]

haha. so I paused the video right when she was "winking" to to see if anybody else caught the whole "winking" thing she was doing.! OMG I love this pure joy.

[@matildabond..2390]

Apparently I tilt my head when people talk to me,which is worrying (:

[@Sathrandur]

Don't worry. There's many stupid people out there and we just can't make sense of them.

[@IanHunedoara8]

Tom Selleck complained about women doing this in the movie where he went thru a difficult divorce. It's also called the "Hillary listening mode". It can be either reassuring or infuriating- depending on whom you are listening to.

[@laurapaivab]

"We always need more dog videos!" Agreed! XD

[@relytlirpa]

she is beautiful

[@Lesleris]

and cute

[@AROTTWEILERR]

get out more

[@Tay-wr5vw]

Get a social life

[@AROTTWEILERR]

Tay 600 get a haircut brother

[@ScienceBitch123]

After watching this, I realized the reason is as elusive as why humans like it so much.

[@ShootinCrows4Prez]

@2:00 The nucleus ambiguus helps us govern our gays? Bout time something stepped up!

[@LBCBassKings]

Think she meant Gaze

[@if6was929]

+CamCam thread win!!!

[@if6was929]

+LBCBassKings +CamCam was being facetious with that very clever and quite funny remark.

[@ryancox8717]

I think every dog owner is in agreement that it is their way of showing confusion. E.g. My dog tilts his head when he sees a mountain lion appear on a big metal box; or when I praise him for doing nothing, just being cute; or when there's ripples in the water, he tilts his head, bites at the water to kill them, causing more ripples.

[@nescalante16]

Hi

[@BrainStuffShow]

Hello!

[@-midnightprincess-3256]

hola.

[@Ninja563]

Konnichiwa

[@ajajordan175]

- CottonAngelCandy - hola

[@GenerationX1984]

Aloha!

[@TERRMINE]

Me: Who's a good boy? Dog: *SENPAI NOTICED ME* Tilts head

[@akaking7499]

Wait?! Ambiguous governs gays?

[@rukasan5929]

+Akaki მაქაცარია gaze, i think you mean gaze :D

[@Theraot]

+Akaki მაქაცარია So the gaydom is governed by ambiguity, sounds legit.

[@williamporter6185]

+Manpreet Randhawa literally pronounced the same way. Ever heard of homophones? (unintentional pun)

[@noyq3684]

This is similar to the comment of “PETER PIPER” my dog twitches a lot so when I twitch back and look at him he just gets mad 😂

[@Mr88Andrew88]

She keeps blinking one eye...

[@niveshproag8660]

She's winking at you. Take a hint. Go talk to her.

[@jacobombx]

I make a Daffy Duck quack sound near my puppy always, its so funny! When I do it, he tilts his head like 'WHAT THE FREAK!?'

[@TheSonic1685]

Well if it's rick grimes's dog then that means your fucked.

[@tralalalatrollin]

what does this even mean

[@TheSonic1685]

Mister Livé It's a walking dead reference

[@tralalalatrollin]

+Rads Per Second i knew that. i also know he doesnt have a dog 🐶

[@TheSonic1685]

Mister Livé do you get the joke? When rick tilts his head it means he's about to kill some cunts. So if rick had a dog (I know he doesn't) then we all know what a head tilt would mean.

[@lostinYourReality]

Rads Per Second really bad joke. Should've made a game of throne references as it's more reliable and has direwolves in the show

[@nyx5995]

My moms dog tilts his head to every word you say My dog tilts his head every blue moon

[@thenukeman3657]

2:03 did she just say "gays" or is it just me

[@BrainStuffShow]

"gaze"

[@CybermanKing]

What are you fucking gaze?

[@thenukeman3657]

BrainStuff - HowStuffWorks Oh okay

[@shakukon-to]

I was crying in the bathroom, but the door wasn't all the way closed, so my dog opened the door with his snout. I love him. He so awesome

[@brodieknight772]

is that the one lesbian from buzzfeed

[@BrainStuffShow]

No. This is Cristen Conger, from Stuff Mom Never Told You.

[@lilyiris9253]

😂😅

[@rorentin]

10/10 comment got busted

[@brodieknight772]

You gotta admit it looks like her tho

[@TheGypsy86]

Kongo-Dess A

[@mannjupandey3588]

I was waiting for a cute dogs tilting their heads very cutely in whole video bt🙄got disappointed 😂😂😂

[@rws531]

Wtf is she even supposed to be wearing?

[@cBodhi]

lol

[@mugnug]

it's called "not looking like a slut" or "wearing what the fuck I want"

[@MissxLariz]

Clothes.

[@andyb2028]

I believe she's wearing one of countless forms of self-respect.

[@kats5952]

I have two Dalmatians. They're the sweetest dogs I've ever had and one of them tilts her head a lot. She does it to sound and especially when I'm talking to her. I love it!!!

[@noncounterproductive4596]

This silly girl said "brachycelaphic." It's BRACHYCEPHALIC -- Greek for short-headed. Why don't people learn how to pronounce words before making a video?

[@BrainStuffShow]

We looked it up in the studio. Cristen just misspoke, and we didn't catch it before the video went up. We're only human. ^___^

[@boxdog9474]

It's pronounced Wingardium LevioSA not Wingardium LeviosA

[@svgarpaws]

Isn't it supposed to be "LeviOsa"? Like I have no idea about this whole Harry Potter thing but I'm pretty sure that's the right way to write it...

[@khango6138]

yu r friendly...

[@fredbitzaya1003]

jeez calm down

[@soulassassin0g]

The past: "In the future we will have the answers to even the most difficult of life's questions." Post 2016 (aka the future): "Why do dogs tilt their heads?"