It’s a weird feeling to realize that you are being watched. Have you ever felt your dog’s eyes following your every move? Maybe the dog stares while enjoying a movie or watching or perhaps when you are sleeping. While being stared at by a dog is less bewildering than being stared at by a person, it is still odd.
There are various reasons dogs stare, and they spend a great deal of time staring at humans. Most times, they are communicating with the owner or waiting for communication or instruction. With continuous observation and knowledge, you can tell the difference and teach your dog alternate means of communicating easier than staring. Here, we discuss the several reasons why dogs stare to help you know what is up with your dog the next time you lock eyes across the room.
Why do dogs stare?
Dogs stare for various reasons, and the exact reason is hard to tell. There is a way to understand why the dog is staring and if it is a cause for concern. The reasons include;
Attention
The dog always wants to be noticed. He desires you to do something for him, like rub the belly or throw the ball. The dog wants attention because he is happy with the kind of love and affection you give him.
Confusion
Do you ever find yourself talking alone while engaging in an activity and realize the dog is closely watching you and seemingly following every word? The dog stares because he is trying to figure out what you want from him. He does not want to miss any possible cue or get yelled at for doing something wrong. Sometimes, the dog is curious to know what you are doing.
Desire
This is the type of stare that dog owners often notice as it covers a diverse range of needs from the dog. The demands include wanting to be fed, wanting to go for a walk, or rub the belly. Staring while doing some activity such as holding on a leash on his mouth could be a way of the dog saying what he needs.
Direction
Dogs stare as they wait to be told what to do. This is somehow related to confusion but not necessarily trying to figure out what is going on. Dogs stare for direction often when they are in the midst of training or activity, and they want to know what to do next.
Aggressive staring
Some stares are important to understand. Some dogs have aggressive stares that can mean they are about to tear you apart. Before making any assumption about a dog’s gaze, pay attention to the rest of the body language to avoid falling in harm’s way. If you keenly follow other context cues, you will discover that the dog is trying to communicate something more specific.
Why does my dog stare at me while I sleep?
Some people can perceive that the stare from the dog in the middle of the night is creepy. It is nothing out of the ordinary, and just like a bark or a tail wag, a stare is a way of communication to the owner. The dog is usually trying to convey how they are feeling or what they need from the owner.
The reasons they stare at night include:
The dog is reading the situation
Habitually, when a dog is gazing into your eyes, he is trying to read you. In essence, the dog wants to crack what your next move is going to be. By paying attention to your gestures and breathing patterns, the dog wants to learn more about you. That way, he can predict your moves in the future. For instance, if you toss and turn in your sleep by peering at you, the dog is simply trying to understand what is going on, or it might be waiting for a snuggle or command.
The dog wants attention
Some dogs cling more than others and want to be pet all day. Some want continuous kisses, while for others, a single pat on the head is enough for the whole day. If we pamper them in this kind of behavior all day long, it is natural for them to expect it at night.
As much as it is irresistible to cuddle all day with the dog, it is for the best. While patting a dog on the head at night is not deemed bad, the dog might interpret it as playtime. If the dog starts to think that the middle of the night is a good time to play, it will stare the entire time.
The dog wants food
Some dogs are motivated by attention, while others put a higher premium on food. Even if the food is not meant for him, the dog will still stare and drool. If you wake up to your dog staring and drooling, it means that he wants food. Giving in to such behavior is, however, terrible since the dog will make it a habit.
The dog is stressed out
If the dog doesn’t want to cuddle and is not hungry, the other reason he might be staring is that he is stressed out. Some dogs, especially rescues, have trouble sleeping during the night, and not catching the much-needed sleep causes stress. They, therefore, look for reassurance by staring. The dog might also be having trouble sleeping because something bad happened during the day. If he is not feeling safe in the environment, you need to do what you can to reassure him that everything is alright. A couple of ear scratches does the job perfectly.
The Dog Is Bored
A dog can be staring at you while sleeping if he has not spent enough of his energy during the day. If he often gets bored, you should increase the number of walks along with quality playtime. Exercising daily with the dog helps him to improve his overall health and quality of sleep.
The dog wants to go outside
Dogs are nocturnal animals, and they tend to do their business before going to sleep. However, some older dogs might have bladder control problems or UTI or kidney stones that often make them want to pee. If the dog is staring, he might be communicating that he wants to go outside.
Although s it is annoying, it is to get up in the middle of the night to let the dog go pee; it has to be done. Otherwise, he will get stressed out and might pee inside the house. The alternative solution to this problem is training the dog to pee in the litter box. If you start training while it is still a puppy, using a litter box later will help in avoiding such pee emergencies.
The dog is afraid or untrusting
Some dogs can have trust issues, especially those that have suffered abandonment or abuse. They do not feel comfortable falling asleep because they are afraid that something bad might happen to them. If that is the case, the issue does not go away easily. The dog needs to be made to feel safe. If he is timid, however, you should not force affection. Instead, slowly over time, you can prove to the dog that everything s alright. As soon as he feels safe, the dog will stop staring and get over sleeping problems.
The dog has a strange fixation
The dog might be staring at night because he has medical problems. Some dogs sometimes fixate on inanimate objects or shadows and walls. The behavior is nothing to worry much about, but there is a reason if it goes on for a long time. If the dog spends hours staring at you while sleeping, the dog might have abnormal brain activity.
Besides, if the dog stares at little crumbs of dust floating through the air, the dog might be having vision problems. The best way to handle the situation is to take the dog to a vet. The vet can figure out if the issue is medical or psychological and prescribe a treatment plan when needed.
The Meaning of Different Dog Stares
Longing Eyes: The Dog Wants Something
Most of the time, the dog stares directly into the soul. This is because you have something that he wants. It could be a toy, a tasty snack, or a hand that should be petting him. Staring can also mean that he wants to be let to go out and play. Dogs quickly learn that staring is okay to ask something because you often teach your dog the behavior.
When you give him what he wants when he stares, such as dinner, or you reached out to pet or took him for a walk. In hindsight, you trained the dog to stare by rewarding him for staring. As much as staring can be infuriating, it is way better than barking, digging, or biting.
Tilted Head: The Dog Is Confused
Dogs have cute tilted heads, especially when training, which means they are a bit confused. The dog is trying to figure out what you want him to do. If you catch your dog staring at you when you ask him to do something, it is best to backtrack the training. Find a better way to communicate more clearly.
For instance, if you ask him to sit, and he continues to stare, go back to the drawing board and re-train the dog to follow the instructions. It does not necessarily mean that he is deliberately disobedient; he is simply confused.
Direct Stare, Hard Eyes: The Dog Is Tense
This is an entirely different dog stare. Right before a dog bites, he gives a hard stare with a stink-eye look that can last for a split second or go on for minutes. The stare is one of the many warnings of a dog bite, and surprisingly, many dogs avert their gaze before biting.
If you are petting a dog or going towards the dog’s food, toy, or cage, and the dog turns and stares right at you, immediately back off. It takes serious practice to differentiate the hard stares. Give the dog space if the stare is accompanied by a stiff tail, wagging, closed mouth, still body, dilated pupils, lowered head, or forward or backward pinned ears. Dealing with canine aggression is not easy, and the least you can do is back off. Confronting will do more harm.
Soft Eyes: The Dog Loves You
On the flip side, the dog might be staring because he loves you. Research has it that dogs and humans both release oxytocin when they look into each other’s eyes. The soft gaze can easily be mistaken for a hard stare. The sign that the dog loves you is usually accompanied by soft or sweeping tail wag, relaxed ears, normal-sized pupils, and light pants.
Most dogs are prone to showing loving gazes in the morning when serotonin levels are high. The dog is unlikely to look loving when playing, eating, or training.
Herding and Hunting: The Dog Is on The Prowl
Herding dogs are predisposed to staring as a way of controlling sheep, cows, and goats. The stare manifests as the dog stalks a flock of sheep or playmates. Hunting dogs also stare when on the prowl. When in the middle of playing, the dog can suddenly slow down, lower his head and stare at a distance; he is in hunting and herding mode.
Solving the Staring Problem
If the dog’s staring problem is not a medical concern but scares you nonetheless, there are ways to put an end to staring. Try to catch the behavior early to prevent it from becoming a habit. It becomes a routine if the dog keeps repeating.
Interrupt the behavior and redirect the dog’s attention to something else like food, toy, or bonding behavior.
Try to recognize the staring for what it is: normal canine habit. If the dog doesn’t look stressed or fearful and does not have any strange fixations, the dog is probably just relaxing. Always remember not to lash out and get upset when the dog is staring at you at night. Yelling does not fix the problem and might make it even worse.
The Bottom Line
Most dog staring is a combination of attention and affection. While it can make you uncomfortable, the dog is most likely fascinated by you. Rather than discouraging the human-centric focus, you can make it work for both of you. Beware of the signals you give your dog and help the dog to understand your intentions by being clear and consistent.