Canine behavior: Insights into dog communication and intelligence

Research and behavioral experts are shedding light on common canine behaviors, such as why dogs lie on their owners and why they tilt their heads.

Regarding physical contact, dog trainer Katharina Marioth explains that a dog lying on its owner is rarely a power play. Instead, it is most often a search for proximity, warmth, or security. While usually a sign of trust, owners should watch for signs of insecurity, separation stress, or guarding behavior, which may require professional intervention.

Scientific studies also address the phenomenon of head tilting. Research published in Current Biology suggests that dogs process human language using different brain hemispheres: the left for meaningful words and the right for emotional tone. Furthermore, a study by Eötvös Loránd University found that head tilting is often linked to intelligence. In a study of 40 dogs, ‘Gifted Word Learners’ (GWL) tilted their heads approximately 43 percent of the time when hearing the names of known toys, suggesting they are actively processing linguistic information.