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Life would be so much easier if our dogs could tell us everything theyâre thinking and feeling. But until science finds a way for us to communicate with our pets, we just have to get good at reading their body language and facial expressions.
The side eye is an interesting facial expression that can have many different meanings. While sidelong glances in humans are often used to convey emotions like skepticism, disbelief, or disapproval, itâs not quite the same in dogs. The side eye can mean anything from âBack off, Iâm about to attackâ to âThat was fun, Mom! Letâs play again!â
Read on to find out why your pup is giving you the side eye.
The 4 Reasons Why Dogs Side Eye
1. Theyâre Anxious or Stressed
The side-eye glance is sometimes also called âwhale eyeâ in dog circles. âWhale eyeâ may not be a term youâre familiar with, but as a dog owner, you should be. This expression causes the whites of your dogâs eye (sclera) to show. It occurs when your pup turns their head away from something or someone but keeps their eyes locked on the object or person.
A dog exhibiting whale eye is typically anxious or uncomfortable. They may be feeling stress or fear. It can also be a sign that your pup may become defensively aggressive, as nervous, fearful, or stressed dogs may be more likely to bite. The expression is almost always paired with other body signals of stress like lip-licking, hair standing on end, growling, or freezing in place.
They make this expression for numerous reasons, so context can make a world of difference when determining why your pup is whale-eyeing you. Common triggers for whale eye include:
Resource guarding of food or toys
Meeting new people
Meeting new animals
Being in unfamiliar places
Being approached or touched in a way they donât like
Image Credit: Christin Lola, Shutterstock
2. Theyâre Curious
The sideways glance can also indicate that your pup saw something intriguing or heard a new noise. Their side-eye could allow them to see things better or get your attention without moving too much. Curious dogs will exhibit other body postures like perked-up and forward ears and tilted heads.
3. Theyâre Playing
The side eye can also indicate playfulness or excitement. This is especially true when other loose body language and gestures, such as a wagging tail or playful bowing, accompany the expression.
Image Credit: sophiecat, Shutterstock
4. Theyâre Just Glancing
Sometimes, the sideways glance is just that: a sideways glance.
What Should I Do if My Dog Gives Me the Side-Eye?
Before reacting, consider the context of the gesture as well as your pupâs other body language.
If your dog is exhibiting other signs that theyâre clearly stressed or anxious, identify the trigger. Is there another dog nearby? A stranger in the vicinity? Is someone (or something) bugging them? Take stock of your pupâs surroundings and environment to get clues into what theyâre feeling. Once you know what the trigger is, try to safely remove your pet from the threatening situation.
For example, a dog that doesnât do well around other dogs may show the whale eye if theyâre being approached by a strange dog while on a walk. The trigger in this scenario is the unfamiliar animal. You can help relieve your pet of their anxiety and stress by giving them space away from the other dog by crossing the street or turning and walking in the other direction.
Are you in the middle of a rousing play session, and your pup starts giving you the side eye accompanied by playful bowing and a big, silly, open-mouthed grin? If so, chances are your dog is probably just excited about getting to play with you.
TLDR: Pay very close attention to your dogâs body language, behavior, and context to determine the cause of the sideways glance. You can only react appropriately once you know what your dog is feeling.
Image Credit: My July, Shutterstock
Final Thoughts
The side-eye glance in dogs can mean many different things. Almost all dog body language and facial expressions are context-driven, so consider your pupâs behavior in the context of their environment.
If your dog is looking at you with a sideways glance but has an otherwise positive body posture, this is likely not whale eye. They could be feeling playful, curious, or just giving you a harmless glance. However, if your dogâs side-eye is accompanied by other body language that conveys stress or anxiety, it could be whale eye, and you must react appropriately to defuse the situation.
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Featured Image Credit: SakSa, Shutterstock
The post Why Do Dogs Side Eye? Vet-Approved Behavior Explanation by Nicole Cosgrove appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
