Why does my dog stare at me?

Ever get the feeling somebody’s watching you? If you're a dog parent, chances are you’ve had your fair share of staring contests with your four-legged friend. While it might just be a sign your dog loves you, you might ask yourself “why does my dog stare at me?”. We take a look at some of the most common reasons for dog staring - plus some tips on how to deal with your eagle-eyed tail-wagger.

Why does my dog stare at me? 

Dogs stare at their owners in order to communicate something or understand a situation. From expressing their love to telling you there’s something they need, there are numerous positive reasons for a puppy-eyed pooch. However, if the staring is accompanied by certain other behaviors, it may be a sign of aggression or discomfort, and unfortunately, staring off into space can also be a symptom of disease in older pups.

So why does my dog stare at me all the time? While most dogs love to stare, certain breeds such as Labradors, Retrievers and German Shepherds are particularly observant. Service dogs such as these have an innate instinct for picking up on human behaviors, which is what makes them so good at their jobs. Other breeds like Siberian Huskies are used to responding to verbal commands for their work, so they may be less likely to stare at pet parents in the hopes of picking up on visual clues. But most of the time, as doggies can’t use words to communicate with us, they have other ways of telling us what’s going on. Let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons why your dog stares at you. 

Why dogs stare at their owners

To bond with you

Does my dog stare at me because he loves me? Maybe! You are your best bud’s absolute world, and what better way of showing their adoration for you than by giving you a look of love and affection? Catch your furry friend’s eye and you’re likely to trigger a wagging tail and it won’t be long before they’re wriggling over for a snuggle (even if you’re supposed to be working!). Studies show that doggies experience a 130% increase in levels of oxytocin when they look at their pet parents, and humans get a whopping 300% rise in the feel-good hormone, so don’t stop doing what you’re doing. The loving bond stimulated by this eye contact has been likened to the feeling a mother gets when she looks down at her newborn baby, so that explains the name “fur baby”!

They’re trying to tell you something 

As our four-legged friends are unable to physically speak their minds, your pooch pal might be staring at you because they want something. If you can feel their eyes burning into the back of your head while you’re watching TV they might be trying to say “can we go for a walk” or even “I need to go potty”. Their affectionate gaze may actually be directed at whatever tasty morsel you’re eating, and it’s not uncommon for them to give you a stern look to say “it’s a minute past mealtime”. Take note that staring can encourage unwanted habits like begging at the dinner table, and doggies will learn the trick works if pet parents give in to the behavior too often. Ah, so that’s why my dog follows me everywhere and stares at me!

They’re looking for guidance

It may not always feel like it, but pet parents (should) run the show, and without an agenda to follow, life can be a bit baffling for our best buds. During training, our four-legged friends are taught to follow their pet parent’s cues and commands so it makes sense that they look to you to find out what’s going on (and whether it involves them). Wondering “why does my dog stare at me constantly?”. Well, if you’re putting on your shoes, your pooch will want to know if they’re coming with you, and if you’re picking up their leash, they’ll definitely know they’re coming with you (I mean, why else would you be picking up their leash?!). 

They’re trying to understand you

Sure, we all do it, lie down next to our best buds (of the furry variety) to have a good old one-sided rant. So “why does my dog stare at me while lying down?” Although they can’t speak back, your four-legged friend is likely to stare at you in the hopes of identifying cues such as sit, wait, or down, and other words they recognize like walk, park and ball. Pooch pals will also stare at their owners and often tilt their heads to pick up on body language and facial expressions, which they use to identify their pet parents’ emotions. Just a note - this doesn’t only happen when they’re lying down, in fact, doggies may even stand to attention in order to understand you!

They could be feeling threatened 

While dog staring is usually positive, an intense stare may be a sign your pooch pal is feeling threatened, scared or uncomfortable, especially when accompanied by snarling, a lowered head, or a stiff body. Our four-legged friends may be aggressively staring to warn furry friends and humans to stay away from their food, a favorite toy, or even a young pup, but more often than not, this behavior is exhibited toward people your pooch pal doesn’t know. Humans should never hold the gaze of a dog that feels threatened as it can be interpreted as a sign of aggression or a challenge. If this kind of aggressive dog behavior happens on a regular basis, it’s a good idea to speak to a dog trainer or behavioral specialist.

They’re getting old

While we like to “look” on the bright side normally, if you’re thinking “my old dog just stands and stares at me”, this might be a sign of mental decline or even disease. Studies show that roughly 68% of dogs aged 15-16 will experience canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome, symptoms of which include disorientation, confusion, and accidents at home. If you suspect your pooch pal is suffering from the disease, look for ways to make their environment comfortable and stress-free, and as with any health concern, consult your vet.

Interpreting your dog’s stare

Still wondering “why does my dog always stare at me”? Normally you will be able to judge from your pooch pal’s body language what it is they’re trying to tell you. If they’re giving you those puppy dog eyes while you’re eating a piece of toast, we’re sorry to say that they’re likely fixated on what you’re eating rather than on you. If they’re gawking at you by the back door, chances are they need a wee, and of course, if they’re eyeballing you in an aggressive manner, it’s time to take a step back. While you might understand all of your best bud’s intricacies and quirks, it can be really useful to explain their behavior when welcoming a loving pet sitter into your home. This will enable them to take the best possible care of your pooch and to continue with all the hard work you’ve put into training! 

How to respond to your dog’s stare

As dogs use eye contact to communicate how they’re feeling, it’s important that pet parents and sitters respond in the correct manner. Remember that eye contact can be seen as aggressive for our pooch pals, so only meet their gaze if they seem comfortable with the situation. Welcome them into your arms if they’re looking for some love, pander to their wants and needs (within reason, of course) if they’re asking for something, and keep them in the loop if they just want to find out what’s going on. 

How to get your dog to stop staring

Staring isn’t generally cause for concern, and it’s often just your pup's way of saying “I love you”. But if you’ve had enough of their ogling eyes, the best thing you can do is avoid rewarding them every time they give you “the look”. Train your furry friend to find other ways of telling you what they want and need, check out our top tips for training puppies here.

We hope you’ve found the answer to “why does my dog just stare at me?”. If you want to learn more about how your pooch pal sees the world, try out our exciting interactive tool to see what dog vision is like.