If you find yourself constantly locking eyes with your beloved furry friend, you might wonder, “Why does my dog stare at me?” Is it always a look of unconditional love? Is this your dog’s way of sweet-talking their way into a treat? Or are they trying to tell you that they’re due for their daily walk with their dedicated Dog Walker?
As it turns out, there are a lot of ways to interpret the pup-Owner gaze, some which might date back to the centuries-old process of domestication itself! In this article, we’re taking a look at why dogs stare at their humans and what it can tell you about your relationship with your pup. Get ready for some eye-opening facts about the canine gaze!
Why does my dog stare at me? A brief history of domestication
In the animal world, eye contact is a pretty fraught form of communication. Many mammals avoid it entirely so as not to ruffle any feathers (or, you know, fur).
But, according to a Japanese study of wild canid species, highly social canines might be adapted for better eye contact. In their research, they found that pack animals, like wolves, tend to have lighter irises, which create contrast against the dark pupil and dark eye outlines. These highly visible eyes make visual communication easier and allow for pack members to track each other’s eye movements. Solitary animals like the Cape Fox, on the other hand, have eyes with very low contrast, effectively camouflaging their eye movements.
Of course, we must always use caution when comparing modern wolves to our dog’s ancestors. After all, thousands of years have passed! But this finding could suggest that wolves were predisposed to a future of long, loving gazes with humans. With their bright eyes, humans might have had an easier time understanding their visual communication than their more elusive-eyed canine cousins.
Another fascinating study looking at dingoes shows just how important eye contact was for early domestication. While we certainly wouldn’t think of dingoes as domesticated today, they were once part of the same group of canids as our domesticated doggos. The two split off very early on in the domestication process, but not before dingoes developed a unique habit: they learned to initiate eye contact with humans. They do it more than wolves, but for much shorter time periods than dogs. As such, dingoes serve as an interesting example of how central eye contact was to early doggy domestication. It also suggests that humans and dogs have been making googly eyes at each other for thousands of years!
Does breed have something to do with why my dog stares at me?
During the course of our history together, we’ve used this special visual communication with dogs to hunt, herd sheep, conduct rescue missions, and a variety of other jobs. And they all required different levels of cooperation.
Breeds with a background in working closely with their handlers, such as German Shepherds or Border Collies, may be more likely to seek out eye contact. Dogs bred to work independently, such as the Yorkshire Terrier for instance, didn’t need to check in quite as often.
Studies also show that snout length might affect how willingly your dog stares at you. Dogs with very long snoots, such as Salukis, are perfectly adapted for a wide field of vision. That means that they often get distracted by things moving in their periphery. Short-nosed doggos, on the other hand, are better able to focus on objects right in front of them, such as their beloved Owner’s face. So, they may be more willing to settle in and stare at you.
This is all interesting, but why does MY dog stare at ME?
Clearly, eye contact is an important way for us to communicate with our dogs. But, how can you tell what your dog is really saying when they look at you? Here are a few things that your dog might be trying to tell you with those puppy dog eyes:
- I need or want something. Dogs look to us to fill many of their needs, from going potty to eating dinner to under-the-chin scratches. Over time, you’ve probably gotten pretty good at figuring out what your dog is asking of you when they patiently (and sometimes not so patiently) stare at you
- I’m ready to work. As we mentioned, working breeds tend to stare at their beloved Owner more readily than other doggos. But training and interactive play can also have a huge impact on how often your dog looks at you, regardless of their breed. If your dog looks at you when you have a treat or their favourite fetch toy in hand, they’re telling you, “I’m ready to work. Just tell me what I need to do.”
- I’m confused. When presented with seemingly im-paw-sible tasks, dogs will rely upon a few different methods to get what they want. Some will problem-solve on their own until they figure out how to get that last bit of peanut butter out of the puzzle toy, but many will use a clever social strategy: looking to their human. If you’re wondering “What is causing my dog to stare at me?” you might look under the furniture to see if they’ve pushed their favourite plushy out of reach. And then congratulate your dog on being a great problem-solver!
- I’m not happy. Every once in a while, a dog will use their stare to convey a warning message. Maybe their personal space is being invaded or they’re feeling possessive over a chew toy. This stare, which is also characterised by a tightening of the muscles of the face and body, is one of the first methods a dog will use to tell others to back off. If the warning isn’t heeded, a dog may resort to more drastic means, such as snarling, lunging, or biting. It’s important to be able to recognise when your dog is staring at you in this context so that you can avoid an escalation and work on targeted training to overcome the underlying issue. The goal is to make sure that your dog never feels anxious enough to resort to the Hard Stare
- I love you. We saved the best for last, because, yes, a dog stare can and often simply means that your pupper adores you. Whether they’re giving you a heart-melting gaze during a belly scratching session or looking at you excitedly as you pick up the leash for a daily walkie, there’s no denying that what they’re really saying is, “You’re the best. Life is grand. I’m one lucky pup.” It’s a look that you’ll want to recreate as often as possible, and you can by fostering a loving, supportive bond with your dog!
Have other ideas about why your dog stares at you?
In this article, we’ve gone way back to the beginning of dog domestication to explain how our dogs have evolved to look at us. Over the course of thousands of years, our puppers have learned how to convey a wide range of messages with a simple stare, and tapping into this form of communication can give you amazing insight into your dog’s needs, desires, and emotions! We’d also be willing to bet that your dog has a special love gaze for you that they wouldn’t share with their favourite Dog Sitter.
No one knows your doggo better than you, so we’d love to know: what are your possible answers to the question, “Why does my dog stare at me?”
