Introduction
Puppy dog eyes, or making puppy eyes, is the common name for a facial expression that dogs make by raising their inner eyebrows and slightly widening their eyes. This look makes the eyes appear larger, hence the name “puppy dog eyes” since puppies naturally have big eyes relative to the size of their face. The technical term for this facial expression in dogs is “AU101” or “brow raising with eye widening”.
Research has shown that dogs evolved additional facial muscles specifically to allow them to make this movement and communicate with humans in this way. Puppy eyes have a similar meaning to a human making sad or pleading eyes. The look triggers a nurturing response in humans, making us want to care for or comfort the dog. This suggests the facial expression originally evolved in dogs as a way to elicit care and attention from human companions.
Description
One of the most discernible features of puppy dog eyes is the wide-eyed, pleading look. As described by the Smithsonian, “The eyebrows are raised, the eyes wide open and the melted-chocolate irises enlarged, focused right on the person.” https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/science-behind-those-big-ol-puppy-dog-eyes-180979877/ This exaggerated eye opening exposes more of the white sclera in the eyes, giving them a vulnerably childlike appearance. The eyebrows are also raised up and pulled together, which creates a sorrowful, desperate look.
Overall, the puppy dog eye expression is characterized by an upward gaze, wide-open eyes showing the whites, and eyebrows lifted up and drawn together. This body language elicits a nurturing response in humans and makes us want to care for and console the pup. As ZME Science describes it, “The overall result is a cute, sad, desperate look that shoots directly at our soft spots.” https://www.zmescience.com/feature-post/natural-sciences/animals/pets/dogs-puppy-eyes/
Purpose
Dogs use “puppy eyes” as a tool to communicate with and influence humans. As domesticated animals that have evolved alongside humans for thousands of years, dogs have developed this facial expression specifically to elicit sympathy, affection, and favors from people. The wide eyes, raised brows, and tilted head that make up the “puppy dog eyes” look trigger a nurturing response in humans, making us want to care for the dog [1]. It creates the impression that the dog is helpless, sad, or in need of reassurance. Dogs naturally make this facial expression as puppies, but learn to use it deliberately as they grow up since it is effective at getting positive attention from humans. On the human side, we are evolutionarily predisposed to find traits like big eyes and child-like features cute and endearing. So when a dog makes puppy eyes at us, it engages our innate caregiving instincts and desire to protect vulnerable creatures. This mutually reinforcing dynamic allows puppy eyes to serve as a powerful communication tool between our two species.
Examples in Everyday Life
Dogs often use their “puppy dog eyes” in everyday life when trying to get something they want from their owners. This is most commonly seen when a dog is begging for food or treats. As soon as their owner sits down for a meal or snack, the dog will stare longingly with widened eyes, hoping to receive a tasty morsel. According to one study, “dogs raise their inner eyebrows to make their eyes appear larger, and also make their eyes appear brighter by raising the lower eyelid” when trying to get food (1). This pitiful “feed me” expression tugs at the owner’s heartstrings. Dogs may also make puppy eyes when they want to go outside, get a new toy, or be petted and fussed over. Essentially anytime a dog desires attention, playtime, cuddles, or a favor, they may turn on the puppy charm.
Likewise, humans often employ their own version of “puppy dog eyes” to try and sway situations in their favor. A child begging for a cookie or later bedtime is a classic example, widening their eyes pleadingly at their parent. Adults may also revert to puppy eyes when asking a partner for forgiveness after an argument, or requesting a coworker to cover their shift. The innocence of the enlarged, soulful gaze aims to convey sincerity, evoke sympathy, and convince the recipient to give in (2). So in both dogs and humans, puppy eyes are a strategic maneuver to manipulate outcomes by appealing to others’ emotions.
[1] Source here
[2] Source here
Examples in Pop Culture
The use of puppy eyes is prevalent in animated characters meant to evoke cuteness and sympathy. One classic example is Puss in Boots from the Shrek movies, voiced by Antonio Banderas. Puss uses his big innocent eyes to plead for mercy or ask for favors from the other characters (https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/PuppyDogEyes). This technique became so iconic that “puppy dog eyes” is frequently associated specifically with Puss in Boots in pop culture.
In Disney’s Aladdin, Princess Jasmine uses puppy dog eyes on Aladdin when she wants him to let her go on an adventure outside the palace. Her wide eyes and pouty expression makes it hard for Aladdin to deny her request. Similarly, Disney’s Pocahontas uses the same pleading facial expression when asking her father to spare John Smith.
Even live-action actors incorporate puppy eyes in their performances. In the romance movie The Notebook, Rachel McAdams gives Ryan Gosling a teary-eyed puppy dog look when pleading with him to love her again. This vulnerable expression tugs at the audience’s heartstrings.
Psychological Effects
The act of making “puppy eyes” is an innate behavior in dogs that has evolved to take advantage of human empathy. Research has shown that when dogs widen their eyes and raise their eyebrows to make sad or pleading expressions, it triggers a nurturing response in humans (Source). Humans are affected on an emotional level because the facial movements mimic the expressions humans make when distressed or seeking sympathy, making the dogs appear sad or in need of care (Source).
Making puppy eyes causes the eyes to appear larger, darker and more infant-like. This prompts a subconscious desire in humans to protect and care for the dog, similar to how people feel empathy towards human babies. It activates the same brain regions related to emotional processing and bonding. Essentially, puppy eyes hijack our innate tenderness towards the vulnerable and young of our own species.
Dogs have evolved to capitalize on this reaction, using puppy eyes strategically to get what they want from humans. The pleading expression taps deep into human instinct, making it difficult to resist puppy eyes despite understanding the manipulation. It sways human judgement, making people more likely to give in to dogs’ demands when puppy eyes come into play.
How to Resist Puppy Eyes
Puppy dog eyes can feel impossible to resist, but if your pet is using them manipulatively, you may need to stand firm. Here are some tips for resisting puppy eyes when your pet is asking for too much:
- Avoid eye contact. This removes the power of the puppy eyes, making it easier to say no.
- Stay calm and confident. Speak in a kind but authoritative voice so your pet knows you mean business.
- Distract with a toy or treat. This shifts their focus from what they want to something positive.
- Compromise when possible. If your pet wants a long walk but you only have time for a short one, find middle ground.
- Be patient and consistent. Don’t give in or you’ll reinforce the behavior. Over time, your pet will learn puppy eyes don’t always work.
- Give affection after saying no. This helps your pet understand the denial isn’t personal.
With the right approach, you can say no while still maintaining a loving bond with your pet. Stay strong yet kind, and eventually your pet will learn when to turn off the puppy charm.
Ethical Considerations
The use of “puppy dog eyes” raises ethical considerations about whether it is manipulative communication or an acceptable form of nonverbal expression. Some argue that dogs deliberately make the sad puppy eyes facial expression to take advantage of human empathy and get what they want, like extra treats or belly rubs (Jones, 2022). They view it as manipulative because dogs are intentionally trying to influence human behavior. However, others believe dogs naturally evolved to communicate with humans using expressive faces, similarly to how human babies innately make sad expressions for caregiving. From this perspective, puppy dog eyes represent an acceptable evolutionary adaptation to enhance the human-canine bond, not a deceitful tactic (Devine, 2019). While the intent behind puppy eyes is debatable, clear communication and moderation are key. Responsible dog owners can acknowledge puppy dog eyes while maintaining reasonable boundaries.
Puppy Eyes in Sentences
Here are some example sentences demonstrating common idiomatic uses of the phrase “puppy dog eyes”:
My little sister looked at me with her puppy dog eyes when she wanted me to buy her ice cream. The sad, pleading expression on her face made it hard to say no.
The child begged for a puppy, giving his parents the most adorable puppy dog eyes. He tried his best to appear as cute and innocent as possible.
When asking her boyfriend for a gift, she made puppy dog eyes at him. She widened her eyes and jutted out her lower lip slightly to appear extra pathetic and loveable.
Come on, no making those puppy dog eyes at me – I’m immune! You can beg and plead all you want, but I’m not changing my mind.
Puppy dog eyes are an effective manipulation technique. People find it very difficult to deny requests when someone looks at them with an adorable pleading facial expression.
The coach wanted to bench the player for missing practice, but one glimpse of the athlete’s sad puppy dog eyes made him reconsider. Those pitiful begging eyes can be hard to resist!
Conclusion
In summary, the puppy dog eyes expression has a significant impact over human emotions. This facial expression, characterized by raised inner eyebrows, a lowered head position, and direct eye contact, triggers a nurturing response and feelings of empathy in humans. Though the expression may signify stress or fear in dogs, it takes advantage of human tendencies to anthropomorphize pets. The puppy eyes provoke a caregiver response and human willingness to forgive bad behavior. While cute, the manipulation of human emotions through this facial expression raises ethical questions. Ultimately, the puppy dog eyes expression demonstrates the deep social bond between humans and dogs, as well as the ability for non-verbal communication to influence emotions.