Why do dogs tilt their heads?

No one is entirely sure why dogs tilt their heads, but the leading theory is that it allows them to see or hear better. Some dogs learn to do it more often because the behavior is rewarded with attention from their owners, who find it cute.

According to Psychology Today, a dog might do this because its muzzle blocks part of its vision, and tilting its head allows it to get a complete picture. The other leading theory is that a dog's ear picks up sound differently in various positions, so head tilting is an attempt to hear as much as they can.