Most of us have probably noticed our favorite furry friends giving us the “side-eye” or the widened “whale eye”. A slick glimpse, a rounded glare, or perhaps it might have been a slick stare.
This look can often be so cute but at other times it can be frightening! But what does it really mean? Well, research shows that it can mean a variety of things.
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Back off!
If you notice that you are receiving the side-eye when you are close to your canine companion’s food, or might be stepping on their favorite toy, the side-eye could mean they want you to back off. It is seen as a pre-warning of aggressive behavior, and you should probably rather step back! -
You’re nearing what I am guarding!
Without knowing it, we could be in the vicinity of an old bone or toy that our dog has buried or is guarding. Similar to the side-eye, it is wiser to move on and leave the precious object to our hound’s protection!
These various glares can also indicate anxiety or feelings of shame. If you notice any additional abnormal behaviors with these types of glares, you may want to take your precious pooch to get checked out. Sometimes, however, our dogs give us the glare as a form of play or cuteness. Uncoupled with other behaviors, it is probably just your dog wanting to look your way (or away!). Either way, monitor your pooch’s behavior and act accordingly.
Does your dog give you the whale eye? Share their pictures with us in the comments!
Feature Image Source: Pixabay