5 Reasons Why Dogs Bow Their Heads When Scolded – Do They Really Feel Guilty?

You’ve probably seen this familiar scene: your dog does something wrong (knocks over the trash, chews on shoes, digs in the garden…), you scold them, and immediately, they lower their head, tuck their ears, and avoid eye contact as if they are “apologizing.”
But wait – do dogs really know they are wrong and feel guilty like humans do? Here are the real reasons behind this behavior and 5 signs that show your dog is anxious, not “guilty” as you might think.

Dogs Don't Feel Guilty – They're Just Scared

Most of us believe that when dogs lower their heads, lie down, or lick their lips, it's an expression of “guilt.” But in reality, dogs don’t understand right from wrong like humans, and they don't have the ability to self-blame for their actions.
Instead, dogs sense negative emotions and energy from you – such as a raised voice, tense expressions, or quick movements – and they respond by showing submission or trying to soothe you to avoid punishment.
Simply put, “Dogs lower their heads not because they know they’re wrong, but because they sense you are angry and want to calm the situation down.”

5 Signs Your Dog Is Scared, Not Guilty

• Lowering their head, avoiding eye contact

          Dogs will look down or turn their head away, avoiding eye contact – this is their way of showing they don't intend to be                       aggressive.

• Ears down, tail lowered or tucked between their legs
  When dogs feel unsafe, their ears and tail will drop close to their body – a clear signal that they are anxious or afraid of being punished.

• Licking their lips, yawning, or trembling lightly
  These actions, often misunderstood as “unconscious,” actually show that dogs are trying to calm themselves and you – it’s like saying, “I don’t want to cause trouble.”

• Lying flat or rolling onto their back
  This is the highest sign of submission – the dog is showing that "I’m vulnerable, please don’t scold me."
• Walking slowly, crouching, or retreating to a corner

           If the dog walks away quietly, avoiding interaction, and doesn’t wag its tail, it’s trying to escape from a situation that makes                them anxious.

How to Handle Unwanted Dog Behavior Correctly

Instead of scolding (which can make your dog scared and is ineffective), try these approaches:

• Stay calm and avoid overreacting when your dog does something wrong.

• Interrupt the undesirable behavior right when it happens – don’t let the situation escalate.

• Reward your dog when they do the right thing – rewards help reinforce positive behavior.

• Create an environment that’s easier to control: keep breakable items out of your dog’s reach and provide them with chew toys, like the Indigo Blue roller from Furry, which helps dogs satisfy their chewing needs while playing.

Conclusion

Understanding your dog’s behavior helps build a strong bond, avoid misunderstandings, and prevent them from feeling confused. As a result, you’ll understand them better and make them feel safe and close to you.