What Your Canine Is Saying With His Eyes
What Your Dog Says With His Eyes
Your dog has emotions and feelings just like you. At any given time, he’ll try to communicate them with his body language and expressions. Most owners never learn to identify these signs; the fact that their pooch is sad, anxious, mad, or happy completely escapes them. As a result, they often fail to give the attention their pets need or crave.
The good news is that you can easily recognize the emotions your canine is feeling by watching his eyes. If you know what to look for, not only will you be able to recognize signals, but you’ll also be able to interpret them accurately. In this article, we’ll give you a crash course on how to read and decipher what your pooch is trying to tell you with his looks.
Looking For Signals
Most of us are accustomed to inferring intention and meaning from watching the faces of our friends and family. The slightest change or nuance can alert you to specific feelings. For the most part, this is a learned trait. Since he can’t talk, you can learn to do the same by identifying the signals he uses to express his feelings.
In the same way people can open their eyes wide and shut them, so too, can your canine. Remember that shape varies according to breed. If your dog’s eyes are wide it is probably a sign that he feels vulnerable. That can include feeling stressed or scared regarding something he finds threatening. He might express these same emotions by squinting a bit, though this might also suggest that he is being submissive to you.
The manner in which he is looking at – or away – from you will also suggest emotions and intent. If a dog stares at you with an intense, anxious look he probably perceives you as a threat. This should not be mistaken for a friendly dog that is looking at his owner and craves his attention. If a canine looks away from you, that usually signals he wants to be submissive.
If he is looking at you from the corners of his eyes and you notice a large amount of white, be wary. He might perceive you as a threat, or be highly agitated. In both cases, he might respond aggressively. It’s common for dogs to do this when you approach them while they’re eating or playing with their favorite toy. This is another signal that is often misinterpreted. If your canine is looking up at you or from the side, seeing the sclera (the white area) of his eyes may not connote aggression. You’ll know the difference because his body will seem relaxed rather than tense.
Dog owners will benefit from taking the time to learn how to read their dogs’ eyes. Remember, the only way your pooch can communicate with you is through nonverbal means. Learning how to identify them will strengthen the friendship you share. Remember to give your dog health dog treats and dog chews
