Do you ever feel like you’re being watched? We love the companionship of our pets, but it can be disconcerting when your dog stares at you all the time.
How can you tell the reason behind your dog’s staring? Is this behavior normal, or should you be concerned?
Possible reasons your dog is staring at you
Because we don’t speak the same language as our dogs, nonverbal cues like eye contact and body language are very important in helping us communicate with each other. According to professional dog trainer Stephanie Gibeault, most dog staring is a combination of affection and attention. Here are some of the reasons your dog may be fixing their gaze on you:
They are reading you
Dogs are incredibly in tune with humans, particularly their owners. They can sense our moods and follow our pointing gestures. Most dogs are also curious about the people and world around them and learn by observing. They often turn to their people as sources of knowledge.
If you notice your dog staring at you, they may be trying to gain information about what you are doing or how you are feeling. Eye contact can also help tell them what you want from them, and other important insights about their environment.
They need to tell you something
Staring often occurs when your dog is trying to get your attention or tell you something. As their caregivers, our dogs depend on us for pretty much everything. Your pup may need to go to the bathroom, want you to throw their ball, or they’re hungry.
irect eye contact can be hard to ignore, and dogs quickly learn that staring at us is an acceptable way to ask us for something. They usually get what they want from staring, and they are not likely to be scolded for staring like they are for more disruptive behavior like barking or whining.
