So what’s with this dog staring? Is there something in your face? Or is he plotting world domination and wondering how to begin with you? Your doggo’s unusual staring behavior might creep you out a bit, however, there are several good reasons as to why they just love to stare at you, creepily. We’ve talked about dog body language before, but this is more specific.
As you go about your daily activities, you might notice your dog quietly staring at you. Your first instinct might be to feel self-conscious; is my hair hopelessly disheveled? Is there something stuck in my teeth?
But, rather than assuming the worst when the question, “Why does my dog stare at me?” runs through your head, rest assured that your dog’s stare is not a judgment of your personal appearance.
Dogs have developed a close, domesticated relationship with humans over thousands of years. This relationship has allowed dogs to become adept at observing and responding to human behavior.
We decided to share with you our research on the secrets of why your dog is staring at you.
10. Waiting for Your Orders
If a dog stares at his owner, it is because he expects to be told what to do. This usually happens with dogs that are in a training period. It is very possible that your dog will look at you in an attempt to know what to do next.
9.Your dog needs direction
Dogs are pack animals. They take direction from their pack leader.
An important answer to why does my dog stare at me is because they need you to tell them what they should do.
If your dog stops and stares at you when you are in the middle of training or some other activity; it’s likely they are waiting for you to direct them as to what to do next.
8. They love us
Just as humans gaze into the eyes of people we love, dogs have “borrowed” the same sign of affection to communicate with their owners. New research shows that mutual gazing between us and our pets releases the same hormonal response present during mother and infant bonding in humans.
If you discover your dog looking at you with longing eyes and no apparent reason, it just might be a sign of affection.
Never try to force your pet into eye contact by holding their head. Dogs can interpret it as a threat and react accordingly.
7. They’re reading our body language
Since we don’t share the same language, dogs and humans have learned to look out for nonverbal cues to figure out each other’s intentions. While we are trying to understand our dog’s body language, dogs are trying to interpret human behaviour too.
This is why owners will often notice their dogs staring at them as they open the cupboard, or put their shoes on.
Dogs look at us expecting the next step and can learn to associate human behaviours with receiving a reward such as getting a treat or going outside.
6. They’re confused
A soft stare, tilted head and pricked ears – dogs have the cutest way of letting us know they’re not sure what’s going on and waiting for clarifications. Often the answer to the question “why does my dog stare at me” is that they’re feeling confused. If you’ve just given them a command only to be met with a gooey-eyed answer, it’s probably best to revisit a few dog training tips to ensure your pup knows what’s expected of them.
5. They have a burning desire
Dogs desire attention, but they also have a variety of other ‘wants’. Dogs are very clever animals.
Dogs will engage in certain actions to let you know what they want.
If your dog stares at you whilst holding their leash in their mouth, it’s likely that they want to go for a walk.
They may come to you with a toy when they want to play. They may rub against you when they want to be stroked and tickled.
If their actions don’t work they often resort to just staring at you.
This is to make it clearer that they really, really want you to take notice of what they are trying to tell you.
4. They want something
Ever feel your dog is training you, rather than the other way around? Dog owners often feel compelled to act when dogs won’t give up looking so intently at them. The reason why dogs stare at us when they want something is because we’ve unintentionally taught them this behaviour. Whether it’s reaching for the treats, taking them for a walk or offering them a cuddle, dogs will quickly learn there is a ‘cause and effect’ rule involving their ability to keep eye contact with their owner. If you reward them with treats and attention every time they sit and stare at you, they’ll keep doing it to get what they’re after.
3. They’re begging for food
Dogs will often want a share of their owner’s food. Whether you’re sitting at the table having dinner or snacking in front of the TV, if you feel your canine companion staring you down, it’s probably because they want a bite of what you’re having. Be careful in giving up and feeding your dog in those moments as it may turn into a habit that’s difficult to break.
2. You’re Eating Something
Sometimes, the only reason why your lovable pooch is staring at your real hard is that you have something in your mouth that he wants to taste. Just because he has never tasted a potato chip in his life does not mean that he is not eager to help you finish that bag of chips right away. You adorable pooch just want you to share your food since those chips look and smell good that his tummy might be growling.
1. They’re showing aggressiveness
It’s important to remember that puppy eyes are not the only glance in the canine vocabulary. If the dog is very stiff and still, it’s best to avoid maintaining eye contact with them and to give them space to settle down. Aggressive stares will usually come up in interactions with unfamiliar dogs or people, rather than with owners. But it’s always best to keep an eye out on body language and make sure to keep away if the signs point to a fearful or worried dog.
IS IT BAD IF MY DOG STARES AT ME?
The majority of the time, the answer to this question is NO. However, you should definitely keep an eye out for any long, aggressive stares, or any aggressives tendencies that may become present along with the staring.
Dogs use their eyes to express emotion (both positive and negative), so stay vigilant for signs that could indicate the dog is upset with you, or it’s current situation.
For example, if the dog begins to stiffen up, and give you a hard stare (especially with older or stray dogs), then they are likely upset, and ready to act out aggressively.
Conclusion
Well, now you know the next time you feel the glare of the stare from your pup. Usually its just adorable, normal dog behavior (except for the aggression). If you want to learn more about reading your dog’s signs and getting your dog to listen,