Should you make eye contact with a nervous dog?
Maci Conn
2025-05-31 19:35:01
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You can get your dog more comfortable with eye contact by working on it at home first. Start with yourself then ask a friend to help as your dog feels more comfortable. Reinforcing eye contact is a useful skill to teach your fearful and/or reactive dog. By establishing eye contact, you can build trust. Situate yourself at eye level with your dog, and use treats or a toy to hold their attention. Place the treat or toy near your face to encourage them to make eye contact with you. Remember to reward your dog for maintaining eye contact, even when distractions are present. With consistent practice, your dog will become more accustomed to their environment and be better prepared to handle distractions. This is a great way to keep them relaxed.
Bernhard Kozey
2025-05-31 16:59:10
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If a defensive dog stares into your eyes, look away for your own safety around the dog.
When meeting any new dog, think in terms of the dog’s language.
Always use respect, caution, and awareness.
If you know the dog is shy or fearful, change your body language.
Approach toward the side of the dog, not head on, and avoid direct eye contact.
You can glance toward the dog to watch for any change in body language, but avoid eye contact.
Concepcion Schaefer
2025-05-31 15:22:57
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When we approach a fearful dog, direct eye contact can be perceived as a threat or an act of dominance. In the dog world, prolonged eye contact can be considered confrontational behavior, which triggers anxiety and fear responses. For dogs that have had negative past experiences or lack socialization, making eye contact may be particularly uncomfortable. Avoid Direct Eye Contact: As mentioned earlier, avoid prolonged eye contact with the fearful dog. Instead, try to look away and glance at them softly from time to time. This signals that you are not a threat and can ease their anxiety. When a dog avoids eye contact, it is a clear signal that they are feeling stressed and may not be ready to trust or connect with humans just yet. By looking away and refusing treats, they are indicating their desire for space and a less intimidating interaction.
Jamar Torp
2025-05-31 15:03:24
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Prolonged eye contact can have different meanings for dogs, depending on their individual temperaments. But a dog, especially one who struggles with reactivity or is wary of people, might be alarmed by a stranger staring at them. Staring Can Make a Dog Feel Challenged For a dog, a stranger staring at them might be seen as a challenge, threat, or something to make them uneasy. Also try to avoid extended periods of eye contact, especially for dogs who already be struggling with human reactivity or overarousal. If you notice a strange dog staring at you, particularly if they have a stiff posture and are unblinking, try to avoid making eye contact. Instead, back away to give that dog some space, since they are showing clear signs of discomfort. A recently rescued dog who is shy, uncertain, or somewhat distrustful might avoid eye contact with you or turn away when they notice you looking back. In these circumstances, don’t stare into their eyes and allow them time to acclimate to your presence.
Tom Boyle
2025-05-31 15:03:09
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: 9
Avoid direct eye contact, at first. Direct eye contact can be intimidating or threatening to a dog. Look at the floor or to the side. Approach dogs at their level. Crouch down or sit on the floor. Don't stand over a dog. Throw out treats, decreasing the distance for a safe interaction. From a crouched position, toss out a treat, one at a time. This allows your dog to approach at their pace and get a reward at the same time. Don't interact with them until they're take a treat from your hand.
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