Head tilting in an attempt to see better is more prevalent in certain dog breeds with long muzzles, like greyhounds or German shepherds, compared to dogs with flatter faces, like bulldogs or Boston terriers.
They tilt their heads to work around their interfering muzzles and improve their visual perspective. That cute head tilt actually broadens the range of vision and allows a dog to more clearly see a person's face. Seeing our facial expressions improves communication.
Dr. Dodman suggests that head tilting is a sign of intelligence, and that head-tilting dogs tend to be more sensitive than others, and have an especially close bond with their people. In fact Dodman's conclusion is now supported by research.
This is perfectly normal and quite common. A less common reason for head-tilting is related to a medical problem that causes a dog to continually tilt his head, even when he's not focused on a sound or object and making eye contact.
Head tilt in dogs is a head or neck injury, an ear infection or other type of head trauma. It can also be caused by geriatric vestibular disease (idiopathic vestibular disease) and tumours.
If your dog follows you everywhere then it's a sign that they trust and love you and that you make them feel safe. Following you very closely can be a sign that they're bored, they want something, they're feeling scared or are just being nosy.
Dogs often show affection by licking. It's an instinctive behaviour that's linked to the comfort they felt when their mother licked them as a puppy. Licking plays an important part of how they bond with others, causing them to release dopamine and endorphins that help make them feel relaxed, calm and happy.
The Root of the Behavior
Noises which are far out of reach of the human ear are easily discernible to a German Shepherd's auditory senses. If they hear something which they don't recognize or can't decipher, they will try to tune into the sound more by tilting their heads. Think of it as directional sound capturing.
Just as humans stare into the eyes of someone they adore, dogs will stare at their owners to express affection. In fact, mutual staring between humans and dogs releases oxytocin, known as the love hormone. This chemical plays an important role in bonding and boosts feelings of love and trust.
Coupled with the fact that dogs inherently dislike something reaching down from above toward them, most dogs quickly learn to associate a hand reaching toward their head with discomfort or stress. This leads many dogs to become head shy, and they learn to duck out of the way of a hand reaching toward them.
Smart dogs are innately great problem solvers, Cabral says. So to test your pup's problem-solving abilities, get her a food puzzle (a toy that has to be manipulated in a certain way to get to a treat). If she can solve it without your help, she's smart, Cabral says.
Having ears back is often a welcoming gesture from your dog. They are trying to get close to you without looking threatening. It is a friendly demonstration accompanied by a happy-looking face and loose body language. They feel comfortable, and they would try to make you feel the same way with them.
Head tilting is common among some dogs, but scientists had not previously studied the reason for that behavior. New research suggests border collies tilt their heads when concentrating on a task or recalling information.
The canine ability to comprehend human body language and intonation is amazing. Our dogs know more than just “Sit” or “Stay” or “Walk”. They can learn the meaning of many words and can grasp that meaning even better when we say those words in an appropriate tone.
Another sound of contentment is the sigh, usually accompanied by the dog lying down with its head on its forepaws. When the sigh is combined with half-closed eyes, it communicates pleasure; with fully open eyes, it communicates disappointment: “I guess you are not going to play with me.”
“The main reason dogs follow us to the bathroom is because they like to be where we are,” Dr. Coppola explains. “Dogs are obligate social animals, which means socialization is a genuinely natural behavior for them. This is part of what makes them such fantastically loyal companions.”
If your dog follows you into the bathroom, it's likely a result of their animal instinct and pack mentality. Canines who do this are referred to as “Velcro dogs,” due to their desire to be attached to your side. They may follow you around, even to the bathroom, to protect a part of their pack.
German Shepherd Dogs are protective of their loved ones
They can be aloof with strangers yet are not hostile. This natural protective instinct is reassuring to the German Shepherd owner.
To show he loves you
If your dog isn't just hitting you with his nose but actually nuzzling, that's a sign of affection and that he's comfortable with you. Your dog also has scent glands around his face, so nuzzling you is a way to mark you as his territory.
German Shepherd or GSD serve as an ideal family dog.
They are considered as good house dogs because of their calm nature and caring temperament.
Generally speaking, a healthy dog with a short, smooth coat and no skin problems doesn't need to be bathed often. In most cases, dog baths are more for the benefit of their pet parents than for the dogs themselves. Even so, it's a good idea to bathe your pooch at least once every two to three months.
Human eyes have three types of cones that can identify combinations of red, blue, and green. Dogs possess only two types of cones and can only discern blue and yellow - this limited color perception is called dichromatic vision.
A dog can remember someone his entire life.
It's safe to say that your dog will not forget you after two weeks, a month, or even if you are gone for many years.