Introduction
Eye contact between humans and dogs is a unique and important form of communication. The research shows that dog eye contact with their owners signals emotions like attention, connection, and bonding rather than negative perceptions like threats, intimidation, or warnings of dominance. Though dog eye contact often signifies affection and attachment, owners should still monitor the frequency and intensity in different contexts. Overall, eye contact between dogs and their owners can enrich the human-animal bond when used appropriately. This article will explore the meaning behind dog eye contact, how to encourage healthy eye contact, and tips for addressing inappropriate staring.
Dog Eye Contact vs Human Eye Contact
Dogs and humans use eye contact differently. For dogs, maintaining eye contact is a way to strengthen social bonds, showing affection and attentiveness (https://phys.org/news/2021-04-dogs-eye-contact-humans.html). In contrast, prolonged direct eye contact between humans can be seen as aggressive or threatening.
Dogs seek eye contact with their owners and other humans as a means of nonverbal communication and bonding. When a dog stares into your eyes, it is showing interest, engagement and affection. However, between two unfamiliar humans, prolonged eye contact can feel invasive and cause discomfort or aggression (https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/different-breeds-seek-eye-contact-differently/).
So while dogs see eye contact as an opportunity to make connections, humans rely more on context, relationship dynamics, and cultural norms to interpret direct eye gazes. This difference in perspective leads to very different reactions to sustained eye contact between dogs and people.
What Does Dog Eye Contact Mean?
Dog eye contact is often a sign of attention and connection. When a dog looks directly into their owner’s eyes, it’s usually a way for the dog to check in and connect. According to the AKC, prolonged eye contact from dogs is a means of bonding and affection. It signals that they are paying attention to their owner and interested in connecting.
Brief moments of eye contact can also be a dog’s way of checking in with their owner and “reading” them. The dog is looking for approval or direction. According to Rover, eye contact triggers the release of oxytocin in both humans and dogs, which is the hormone responsible for feelings of love and bonding.
So in summary, eye contact is a dog’s way of connecting with their human. It shows affection, attention, and interest. Through eye contact, dogs are looking to their owners for assurance and bonding.
Dog Eye Contact is Affectionate
Sustained eye contact between a dog and its owner causes oxytocin levels to spike in both the dog and human. Oxytocin is known as the “love hormone” and is associated with bonding and attachment behaviors (1). One study found that when owners and dogs gazed into each other’s eyes, their oxytocin levels increased by 130% and 300% respectively (2).
When a dog maintains eye contact, it shows that the dog is paying attention to and engaged with the human. This focused attention helps strengthen the bond and emotional connection between dog and owner.
Since eye contact triggers oxytocin release and serves as an attentional cue, it can be considered an attachment behavior in dogs. Dogs form attachments to their caregivers in similar ways that human infants attach to their parents. Eye contact helps maintain the security and comfort of the dog-human bond.
(1) https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/is-the-gaze-from-those-big-puppy-eyes-the-look-of-your-doggie-s-love/
(2) https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1261022
How to Encourage Eye Contact
One of the best ways to encourage your dog to make more eye contact is by using treats or toys during training or playtime. Hold a treat right up by your eyes and wait for your dog to look up and make eye contact before rewarding them. This teaches them that looking at your eyes leads to good things. You can also incorporate eye contact into basic obedience training. Before asking for a cue like “sit,” get your dog’s attention and eye contact first, then reward. This builds the habit of giving you their full focus. According to trainers, “Make eye contact during training. Look for opportunities to reinforce eye contact throughout the day.” [1] With consistency, your dog will learn that checking in with you and making eye contact is worthwhile.
Maintaining Eye Contact
While eye contact with dogs can help build bonds, it’s important not to stare dogs down intensely. Prolonged, unblinking stares can make dogs uncomfortable. As this article explains, staring directly into a dog’s eyes can be seen as a threat or challenge. It’s best to break eye contact periodically and blink normally.
Gentle, natural eye contact is great while petting or cuddling your dog. As you rub your dog’s belly or offer praise and affection, look into your dog’s eyes warmly. This helps reinforce the bonding effects of oxytocin. But don’t force your dog to stare back the whole time. Let the eye contact happen naturally as part of the bonding experience.
It’s also important not to make sustained eye contact with unfamiliar dogs, as it may be seen as rude or aggressive. With new dogs, it’s better to avoid direct stares and let them initiate eye contact.
Overall, eye contact with dogs should be welcoming and affectionate, not intense. Keep it periodic and break stares after a few seconds to keep your dog comfortable.
Lack of Eye Contact
Some dogs may avoid making eye contact due to fear, anxiety, or stress. Dogs that are timid, lack confidence, or have experienced abuse may perceive direct eye contact as threatening. Avoiding eye contact is a way for these dogs to communicate they want to avoid confrontation or perceived aggression from humans or other dogs.
According to the ASPCA, “Dogs who are timid, fearful, or anxious are more likely to avoid eye contact, dogs who are relaxed and friendly will be happy to gaze at their beloved owner. In fact, dogs who maintain eye contact usually do so to seek more attention or petting from their humans.”
Certain breeds like Siberian Huskies tend to make less eye contact on average. Breed traits and early socialization play a role in how comfortable a dog is with direct eye contact. However, any dog can be fearful or anxious, leading them to avoid too much direct eye contact.
If a previously friendly, well-adjusted dog begins avoiding eye contact, it can signify the dog is stressed or afraid. Changes in eye contact habits are worth investigating further, as it may indicate a health issue or environmental factors causing the dog distress.
Too Much Eye Contact
While some eye contact from dogs is a sign of affection, too much direct staring can actually be a sign of aggression or an attempt at dominance. Prolonged, unwavering eye contact is one way dogs try to assert dominance over other dogs or even their human owners. When a dog stares unblinkingly, it can be a challenge to the human’s status and authority.
Dogs that exhibit this kind of hard stare are often feeling insecure about their rank and position. To compensate, they use an aggressive, unbroken stare to try and intimidate the human into submission. It’s their attempt at saying “I’m in charge here.” Dogs may also use this tactic on other dogs in the household that they want to dominate.
So if your dog is giving you a hard, unwavering stare, it could be their way of trying to assume the alpha position over you. This kind of challenging eye contact should not be encouraged or rewarded. You can avert your gaze and then resume normal eye contact once they relax their stare. With consistency, most dogs will learn that prolonged staring is not an effective way to gain status.
Conclusion
Having good eye contact with your dog is a way to strengthen your bond and communicate affection. Dogs make eye contact to connect with us, show interest, and read our body language and emotions. While too much direct staring can be rude in dog culture, brief moments of eye contact help reinforce your relationship.
When your dog locks eyes with you, it shows they are paying attention, want to engage, and are looking for guidance or connection. Encourage eye contact through training, play, and affectionate interaction. Be responsive to your dog’s eye contact cues to build trust and understanding. Avoid punishing direct looks, as this can damage the human-canine bond.
Overall, eye contact is one of the primary ways dogs communicate their love for us. By cherishing those special moments when your dog’s eyes meet yours, you can deepen your relationship and appreciation for each other.
References
Sources Included in this Article:
[Author, F. (Year). Title of source. Publisher.]
[Author, F. (Year). Title of source. Publisher.]
[Author, F. (Year). Title of source. Publisher.]
[Author, F. (Year). Title of source. Publisher.]
[Author, F. (Year). Title of source. Publisher.]
[Author, F. (Year). Title of source. Publisher.]
[Author, F. (Year). Title of source. Publisher.]
[Author, F. (Year). Title of source. Publisher.]
[Author, F. (Year). Title of source. Publisher.]
[Author, F. (Year). Title of source. Publisher.]