If your dog has been walking with their head down, this post will show you likely reasons why and what you can do about them.
So, why does my dog walk with his head down? Likely reasons why your dog walks with their head down are that your dog is being submissive, injury, they are smelling something or because of old age.
There are actually a number of possible reasons why your dog walks with their head down and it might be due to a combination of reasons. However, there are some things you can consider to help figure out the main cause and there are some things you can do about it.
Why does my dog walk with his head down?
Below are likely causes and what would make each of them more likely.
Submissiveness
Dogs will lower their heads when they are being submissive and it is likely to be a part of the reason why your dog has been lowering their head. This would be more likely if your dog does it more when you are annoyed with them or when you are standing directly in front of them or if they tend to do it when they are around other dogs that are larger than it.
Injury
The cause might also be that your dog has an injury. This would be more likely if your dog has started walking with their head down suddenly and if they have been unable to raise their head. In this case, the best option would be to take them to a vet.
They are smelling something
Another possible reason is that your dog is smelling something. This would be more likely if your dog does not always walk with their head down and if they sniff things when they do walk with their head down.
Old age
A part of the cause could also be that your dog has become weaker as it has gotten older. This would be more likely if your dog is an old dog and if it has gradually started lowering its head more as it has gotten older.
Anxiety
It could also be the case that something has been causing your dog to be anxious. This would be more likely if your dog has been doing it when they are more likely to be anxious such as when walking in a loud area.
Things to consider
Below are some things to consider to help figure out the main cause.
If your dog has always walked with his head down
If your dog did not always walk with their head down, it would help to consider what else happened when the behavior first started. If it started suddenly, it could be due to things such as getting an injury, something causing them to be submissive or moving homes causing them to want to smell the new scents a lot more.
The timing of when your dog walks with his head down
It would also help to consider the timing of when your dog walks with their head down. If your dog does it when you are walking them normally, it would be a lot more likely that your dog is smelling scents. Whereas, if your dog does it when other dogs or people are nearby, your dog might be doing it due to being submissive.
What to do about my dog walking with his head down?
Below are some things to consider to help figure out the main cause.
Get help
If it seems like your dog has been doing it due to injury, the best option would be to take them for a checkup. By doing so, you should be able to get expert advice tailored towards your particular dog and to deal with injury if it is the cause.
Let them do it
If it seems like your dog is doing it because they are smelling scents, the easiest option would be to just let your dog continue doing it.
Be calm around your dog
If it seems likely that your dog is doing it due to being submissive, it would help to be calm with them and it might also help to limit how often they are around other dogs that might be causing them to be submissive.
Why is my dog suddenly walking with his head down?
If your dog has suddenly started walking with their head down, it would be likely to be due to things such as injury or something causing them to be submissive. It would help to take them for a checkup if they have not been for one recently.
Why does my old dog walk with head down?
The reason why your old dog walks with their head down is likely to be that they are not as strong as they used to be. However, it could also be because they are smelling scents or being submissive. If they have not been for a checkup recently, it would likely help to take them for one.