More Than a Look: 4 Reasons Why Your Dog Stares at You and What They Are Trying to Say
If you thought the same rules for cats apply to dogs too, you might be surprised to read what’s next.
Even though in the animal’s world the direct stare in someone else’s eyes means there’s some sort of threat in the air and there might even be an attack, with time dogs learned to adapt to human beings in this regard.
Having realized that it’s better to show your care with such a stare, dogs now use this technique for different reasons, unlike cats. If you wondered why your dog always tries to look you in the eyes, here are some of the most common reasons.
Your Dog’s Stare Can Be a Sign of Affection
This is probably what every dog owner has ever wanted to hear, since the long stare in the eyes is often considered to be the dog’s means to show their care for you — and it’s exactly right. In most cases this happens when the dog feels relaxed, so it also means that they are comfortable with their owner and trust them.
Your Dog’s Stare Can Imply Demand
This is also what most owners get right: when the dog’s eyes become rounder and their brows go higher, many start looking for something the pet actually asks for. If you’re used to fulfilling your dog’s requests, this long stare can eventually turn into a technique learnt by the pet to always get what they want.
Your Dog’s Stare Can Also Mean Discomfort
Just like humans, dogs can either have a gentle stare or rather an intense one. The latter can be recognized by the dog’s ears pointed forward and seemingly rigid body, as well as by the “cold” stare.
This behavior often implies that the dog is uncomfortable or triggered by something, or that they’re just tired of communication with their human. Either way, if something like this happens, it’s better to leave the animal alone for a while.
Your Dog’s Stare Can Suggest Waiting For a Command
Though this one can sometimes be confused with the affection stare, the “waiting for a command” stare shows when the dog is concentrated on something.
For instance, you’ll notice it during the training or a simple stroll when your dog sees another unknown dog and seemingly asks for your permission to come up to the other animal. Usually, at moments like this the dog’s body seems a bit rigid and their ears are pointed forward.
