Why Does My Dog Stare At Me?
November 12, 2017
Those puppy-dog eyes will get the best of you every time, but what is your dog trying to tell you? You’ll be surprised to learn it’s not always about food.
Ever wondered why your dog stares at you and what it is they’re trying to tell you? Scientists have been trying to find the answers to this question for years. Some of their studies have revealed many interesting things about a dog’s character, but we’ll probably never know what a dog is thinking for real.
This is what we know so far…
Why Does My Dog Stare At Me?
Over the many thousands of years that dogs and humans have lived together, our canine friends have learned to communicate with us. They know making eye contact is one of the proven ways to get our attention. Gazing into our eyes and watching our facial expressions is a surefire way to know what’s going on.
Your dogs will follow you with their eyes and watch your every move. It helps them to stay ahead of the game and anticipate what’s going to happen next. Are you going out? Are we going to the park? Is it dinner time? They want to know your every move.
Making Eye Contact, A Sign Of Trust
Making eye contact is a remarkable thing because it doesn’t generally happen among animals in the wild. Eye contact is often interpreted as a sign of aggression, especially if you’re a wolf. To look directly into the eyes of a wolf is to invite trouble, but not so if you’re a dog. If your dog looks at you directly in the eye, you can bet they trust you with their life.
Having this bond with your dog is amazing for so many reasons, but for training purposes, it’s the key. Getting the attention of your dog and getting them to focus on you is the gateway to a well-behaved dog who listens to you.
Your Dog's Loving Look
Another benefit of your dog’s gaze that scientists have discovered is something to do with hormones. The same way a mother or father would bond with their baby by looking into their eyes, when you and your dog maintain eye contact, it releases the feel-good drug oxytocin, a hormone that relieves pain and stress, and an incredible feeling of well-being. You could say it’s a kind of love drug.
So the next time your dog gazes into your eyes, they might not be begging for a treat, they could simply be trying to tell you how much they love you. Savour the moment and soak up as much of that love drug as you can!
by Natalie Secretan
PuppyDogCapers.com
Photo credit: Darin - Daisy’s Look