Dog Tips

Why do dogs stare?

admin • 22 Jun 2023

That feeling of being watched is sometimes real: our own dog follows us around the house and stares at us. While we are having breakfast, brushing our teeth or sitting on the couch reading, our dog watches us.

Being watched by a dog is not as embarrassing as being watched by a person. But even then it can be awkward for some caregivers. There are many reasons for the dog to stare, so we'll describe a few.

Pleasing eyes – the dog wants something

Most of the time dogs look at us because they want something . For being a toy, food, or even treats. Other times it's because they want to go outside. But the pleading eyes soon give us information that we have to pay attention to our partner.

Dogs easily learn to look at us to plead. It is even likely that he reinforced this behavior by responding to the pleading eyes previously. As annoying as it is to have a dog with pleading eyes, it's not nearly as annoying as barking, digging or biting.

Tilt head – the dog is confused

Dogs that watch closely during training and tilt their heads may be confused or curious. The dog is attempting to understand what you require of him.

If the dog tilts its head, it is an indication that we should clarify what we are expecting it to do. If it is an order, we must repeat it clearly. In other cases, training needs to be reinforced. So this is not a disobedient dog, but a confused one.

Direct and tense stare – the dog is nervous

There is another type of look – the tense, nervous look that precedes aggression . There are many causes for aggression, and most are related to what is going on around the dog. The aggressive stare precedes the bite. Other dogs, on the other hand, can intersperse this gaze with averted gaze.

If you are petting a dog, or approaching his toys or kennel, a tense look tells us that it is better to move away . This look is accompanied by a tense body and tail, dilated pupils, head down, mouth closed, and ears back or forward. It may also show its teeth as a sign of aggression.

Gentle eyes – the dog loves the caretaker

At the opposite end of the spectrum are the gentle eyes that reveal that the dog adores its handler . A recent study reveals that the love hormone oxytocin is released when dogs and their handlers look each other in the eye.

A sweet look can be confused with a tense and persistent look. The difference is that the sweet look is accompanied by tail wagging, relaxed ears and normal pupils. This look happens in relaxed moments, so it is less likely to happen when playing, eating or training.

Hunting and herding eyes – the dog is in hunter mode

Herding dogs also have a habit of staring, as a way of controlling flocks , herds, toys or people. The Border Collie is famous for this look.

Hounds, on the other hand, stare when they are in pursuit. This behavior can be playful or serious, but it often appears during games or in forest environments. If the dog slows down, lowers its head and looks at something in the distance, it is in hunting mode.

Why do dogs (not) look you in the eye?

A dominant dog will have a stare in the eyes, while a submissive dog will try to look away, not making eye contact. A stare into the eyes, for dogs, reveals dominance or aggression. Therefore, as a matter of good manners, one should not stare a strange dog in the eye.

However, this rule does not always apply. The look in the eyes between the dog and its family members may not be interpreted as dominance. As we saw above, it can be a gentle look that reveals love and trust.