Master Eye Contact with Your Dog

Communication is vital to the bond we share with our treasured canine companions, and eye contact is a powerful form of communication. Mastering eye contact with your dog will help foster trust, communication and strengthen your relationship with your dog. We take a close look (ahem) at how dogs interpret eye contact and how you can use it in bonding and training.

What Eye Contact Means

In the wild, eye contact among animals can signal dominance, aggression or interest. Dogs, descendants of the wolf, have evolved to interpret eye contact based on context. Direct eye contact is a form of social interaction, but it could also be a challenge. Domestic dogs have learned to read human cues more effectively than wild animals and are more attuned to our eyes and facial expressions.

Building Trust

Establishing a bond with a new or shy dog invariably involves minimal eye contact. Allow the dog to approach and initiate eye contact on their terms. Avoiding direct eye contact, sitting alongside them rather than face-to-face and using slow blinks can help a nervous dog feel more comfortable. As trust builds, dogs are more likely to initiate eye contact, which is a sign that they’re feeling comfortable and secure.

Eye Contact in Bonding

Studies have shown that mutual gazing between a dog and its owner can increase oxytocin levels in both, creating a bond similar to that between a parent and child. Gentle eye contact can convey affection, trust and companionship. Many dogs interpret soft, relaxed eye contact from a familiar human as a sign of love and reassurance.

Dogs also make direct eye contact during play and to signal excitement. They are engaging, looking for their owner’s cues. Playful behaviour, like a wagging tail or a play bow, will no doubt ensue.

Eye Contact in Training

Eye contact can serve as a cue for attention, helping dogs to focus on their owners during training. Trainers often use eye contact as a foundation for essential commands, such as “watch me,” which centres the dog’s attention on the trainer’s eyes, not the treat in their hand. Rewarding a dog for making eye contact improves engagement and responsiveness to commands.

How Dogs Interpret Different Types of Eye Contact

Relaxed eye contact is comforting to most dogs. It may be all a dog needs to relax. An averted gaze signals a dog that is anxious or submissive. A frightened dog might look away as a strategy to avoid confrontation. Respecting this can help reduce stress for the dog.

However, a prolonged, intense stare might signal dominance or even aggression. The dog may feel uncomfortable or threatened, especially if unfamiliar with the person. To avoid escalating the situation, avert your eyes. Focus on a point just in front of or next to the dog. According to The Pet Teacher, this tells them you are not a threat and don’t want to fight. It also helps to turn your head and body away and hunch down to appear smaller.

Eye contact with dogs is a nuanced interaction that can communicate varied emotions and intentions. Being mindful of their body language will help you better interpret a dog’s feelings. Eye contact is a great tool to enhance bonding, trust and effective communication.

Your next read: The Loyal Labrador.