Puppy staring into camera

Why does my dog stare at me?

Dogs use eye contact to communicate, from the adoring gaze to the frigid glare.

So, if you’ve ever been surprised by your dog’s intense stare from across the room and are looking for answers, here are a few reasons why dogs stare at people.

siberian husky dog communicating with cynologist

So, if you’ve ever been surprised by your dog’s intense stare from across the room and are looking for answers, here are a few reasons why dogs stare at people.

They love us

Portrait of loving asian woman carrying her sweet dog

Dogs have “stolen” the same gesture of affection that we humans do when we look into the eyes of someone we adore to communicate with their masters.

They’re observing our facial expressions.

Dogs and humans have learnt to read nonverbal signs to figure out each other’s intentions because we don’t speak the same language.

It’s not just us who are attempting to decipher our dog’s body language.

Close up of the face of a dalmatian dog

Dogs keep an eye out as well, attempting to piece together information about what we’re doing or about to happen.

They’re confused

Dogs have the cutest way of letting us know they’re not sure what’s going on and are waiting for clarifications with a soft eye, tilted head, and perked ears.

They want something

Image of funny black pug looking at his confused owner, man shrugging puzzled, standing over white

When dogs refuse to stop staring at them, owners often feel driven to take action. Because we’ve accidentally taught them to stare at us when they want something, dogs stare at us when they want anything.

Cute dog looking at treat

If you give them goodies and attention every time they sit and stare at you, they’ll keep doing it since it gets them what they want.

They’re begging for food 

Hungry dog waiting for feeding at home. Cute labrador retriever is holding dog bowl in his mouth.

Dogs are prone to sharing their food with their owners.

If you see your canine companion looking at you when you’re eating supper or nibbling in front of the TV, it’s generally because they want a bite of what you’re eating.

They want to be noticed.

Young woman taking selfie with dog

As a means of attracting attention, dogs may begin to stare at their owners. If they feel ignored, dogs are not afraid to give us fierce looks.

They’re acting aggressively

It’s vital to keep in mind that puppy eyes aren’t the only look a dog can give. If the dog is rigid and immobile, it’s best to avoid making eye contact with them and give them some room to relax.

The dog is about to bite the figurant.

They are suffering from cognitive impairment.

If your senior dog stares at you incessantly for no apparent reason, this could be an indication of a condition known as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome.

Sick dog

Other indicators of cognitive deterioration in your dog include wandering aimlessly, forgetting basic commands, and appearing lost in familiar places.

By now, you should have an answer to the issue “why does my dog gaze at me.”

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