Dogs have a surprisingly good understanding of human language - but since they’re unable to talk, they have to communicate in other ways. Canine communication occurs mainly through body language, or vocalisations such as whining or barking. Another way dogs might try to communicate with us is by making eye contact, or by staring.
Because this is often seen as a display of aggression in other species, this is often interpreted as such by humans. But in fact, there may well be more to your dog's staring habits than meets the eye. If you’ve ever wondered, “why does my dog stare at me?”, here are some reasons why.
Do Some Breeds Stare More Than Others?
While every pet has their own individual quirks, some breeds appear to share certain traits more than others. The most watchful of dogs tend to be retrievers, Labradors and German Shepherds, who may also stare at their owners to try and tell them something.
These breeds are also highly sensitive to human behaviour, which makes them great service dogs, while others, such as the (notoriously vocal!) Siberian Husky are more used to communicating using their voice - and so tend to be less observant in terms of visual cues.
Staring And Training
One reason as to why dogs stare (according to some experts) can be traced back to when dogs were first domesticated. Humans and dogs have coexisted for thousands of years - and over time (unlike other animals) dogs have learned how to respond to commands - and may stare at you waiting for the next instruction.
Wondering “why does my dog stare at me during training”? The answer may be because they are waiting for their next “cue”. This means they are focussed on you, rather than what is happening around them.
“Watch Me”
Not only is this the sign of a strong pet-owner bond and a positive association with training- but it can also be useful to make sure your dog can pay attention in difficult situations.
To help increase your dog’s attention and focus, you can match your dog’s eye contact on cue using a phrase such as “watch me” or “look”. Training your dog to do this using positive reinforcement (i.e. clicker training) will ensure best results and help strengthen your bond.
Establishing Dominance?
Staring can also have less positive connotations: a human maintaining eye contact with a nervous or frightened dog could provoke a hostile reaction (people, in particular children might do this without being aware of the dangers). Alternatively, a direct stare from your dog could be a challenge to your authority as “leader of the pack.”
Previously advice for this was to discourage eye contact from your dog while “staring them down” to establish dominance; however pet trainers have since recognised eye contact as an integral part of communication in training and bonding with dogs.
“What Do You Want?”
The 1990 sitcom Frasier had a running gag in which the main character was constantly met with the gazing eyes of his father’s dog, Eddie. While it was never quite clear what Eddie wanted, Alexandra Horowitz, director of the Horowitz Dog Cognition Lab at Barnard, has a few ideas.
In her 2009 book Inside of a Dog, Horowitz suggests the main motivations behind a dog’s stare tend to be food, information about what is happening in their world - or even clues about our emotional state. According to a study from 2015, puppy eyes may even be a real thing, since looking at your dog lovingly (and vice-versa!) increases oxytocin in both dogs and humans.
Defensive Staring
One way to answer “why does my dog stare at me?” is to look at context clues. There are ways to tell whether a dog’s stare is friendly or not. You can interpret this by looking at the situation (such as whether the dog has a reason to be frightened or aggravated) in addition to the kind of body language they are exhibiting.
While a gentle stare may be accompanied by soft blinking, a wagging tail and the dog moving closer to you in a relaxed, friendly way, an aggressive stare will typically be unblinking with a tense body. The dog may feel uncomfortable, guarded or even threatened. This may also be accompanied by:
- A barely-moving or immobile tail
- Ears raised and pointed forward
- Curled lips
- Lowered head
If you notice any of these signs in your dog, this can be a sign to back off and give them some space. If your dog continues to exhibit unusual or aggressive behaviour, speak with a vet who may be able to refer you to an animal behaviourist.
Why Does My Dog Stare At Me When It Poops?
One of the more unusual (though not uncommon) reasons for dogs staring at their owner might occur when they need to relieve themselves. When dogs do this, they are less able to flee from danger, and will look to you as a source of reassurance and protection.
If your dog does this, it’s essentially asking you to “keep an eye out” while it does its business. If they appear anxious, it can be helpful to calmly speak to them in a gentle tone, so they know that everything is okay. Additionally, you can also add a cue word such as “busy” so that the dog knows this is a safe spot for them to “go”.
Staring As Communication
As pack animals, canines are highly empathetic, sensitive creatures with a keen awareness of how their owner’s behaviours will affect them - so by staring, they may simply be trying to understand us. Because their owner is their main source of food and shelter, it’s important for dogs to gauge what’s happening and what might happen next.
This is typically based on information previously learned from their daily routine. For example, if you pick up your keys and a leash, your dog might be staring at you expectantly because they know that’s the cue for “walkies”. Dogs also have highly attuned internal clocks - so if it’s a minute past the usual time for their walk or meal, you may find them giving you a stern look!
Confused Staring
Despite their best efforts, dogs can’t always figure out what’s going on. Confusion may be accompanied by head-tilting, which can be used for vision, cognitive processing and communication as well as to determine where sounds are coming from.
At other times, a confused dog may simply stare at you - not out of stubbornness - but because they might need another clue as to what to do next.It can also be a way to show that they are listening to you (or even because they know that “cute” behaviours mean extra positive attention!)
Puppy Dog Eyes
Dogs are intelligent - and if they know that a particular behaviour will result in more attention or a treat, the more they are likely to keep doing it. Rather than reward staring, you may want to train them to engage in an alternative behaviour when they want something.
For example, you could train them to go to their bed, or a designated spot in the home. Use positive reinforcement to encourage your dog to repeat this behaviour over time so that they learn to do this instead of staring at you until you give in! Remember that training takes time so patience and consistency is key.
When Is Starting a Medical Issue?
Ultimately, dogs just want our attention -and staring typically isn’t any cause for concern. While staring can be a normal part of canine behaviour, dogs may also stare for other reasons. In some cases, staring (especially excessive staring) may be a sign your pet is in discomfort or pain, and is trying to communicate this to you.
At other times, they may be staring because they are understimulated. This can in turn lead to behavioural issues, so make sure your pet is getting the right amount of exercise and mental stimulation they need throughout the day.
Staring In Older Dogs
In older dogs, staring off into space may be a sign of cognitive issues, which can cause them to become disoriented or confused. This can occur in canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome, an illness similar to Alzheimers in humans.
If you notice any of these following signs in your dog, consult a vet:
- Toileting accidents in the house
- Appearing disoriented in previously well-known places
- Showing confusion at basic commands
- Aimless wandering
- Staring with a “glazed-over” appearance
While no treatment currently exists for canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome, it is possible to slow its progress. If you think your dog may be exhibiting these symptoms, understanding the illness and making their routine and environment more comfortable can improve their quality of life.
Want to learn more about dog behaviour and caring for your canine companion? From dog crate training to how to use dog leads when going for a walk, we have plenty of useful advice - plus a great range of pet accessories including toys, bedding and much more.