I have always heard that one should never ever have eye contact with a dog for a sustained amount of time. This is supposed to be a dominance issue. Is this correct? I am an animal love to the millionth degree, and considering getting a pooch... but... I love to look at my animals.... and.... I don't want to get attacked while doing so.. I know it may sound silly... but.........I had dogs when I was a kid and I don't ever remember worrying about such things... but now, as an older person, it makes you wonder... as I think eyes are amazing, and windows to the soul (of an animal, as well as to a human)... well, I think they are just amazing to gaze into... am I setting myself up for disaster if I gaze lovingly into the eyes of a dog.....should I just pass and get another cat....
thanks for your input
p.s. I've recently heard that gazing into the eyes of your cat isn't the smartest thing in the world either...lol
2006-12-16 11:37:20 · 11 answers · asked by amber 5 in Pets ➔ Dogs
It depends largely on the dog.. If you're talking about a collie, it would just make the dog a bit uncomfortable...Not unlike a person's need to look away when being stared in the eyes for a length of time.. Now, if you're talking about a type of dog that's known to be aggressive, and it's one you don't know, looking into the eyes could set them off...I look my dogs in the eyes, down on their level, and they're fine.. One of them is even a German Shepherd! It's just that they know that I'm not going to threaten them, but also that I'm in charge...They're not challenging me for authority, but then again, most dogs wouldn't.. If you're concerned, stay away from the aggressive breeds.
A cat would probably just slap you upside the head.. :P
2006-12-16 13:18:17 · answer #1 · answered by GhostDanse 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Staring into a dominant dogs eyes will cause an aggresive reaction. That also depends on the dogs position in the house and his place in the pack. As a rule most dogs get uneasy when stared in the eyes too long. One of my current work dogs has had EXTREME dominance problems even as a puppy. While i like a degree of dominance in a dog because it helps him on the street as a police dog or as a top sport dog, I do not like to be challenged every time I give a command. After several forehead to forehead discussions this dog and I finally sorted out our problem. Now, this same dog will stare at me in the eyes at times just to see who will look away first. He always loses. I do not reccomend staring into any dogs eyes as a habit. If you must look into someone's eyes try another animal.
2006-12-16 11:50:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because in the vocabulary of the canine body language it is very rude to stare. It's basically a challenge for dominance and is how many dog fights get started when there's "no signs of aggression." Averting the eyes and licking are calming signals that dogs use to let other dogs (and humans, if they bother to listen) know that they aren't interested in a fight or that they are submitting and acknowledging the other as higher ranking. The barking could be a sign of frustration or the dog just feels like barking.
2016-05-23 00:07:11 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Staring into the eyes of a dog is not leading to a dominance issue. I think it is an old wifes tale.
I have two dogs and I always look into their eyes. I agree with you ... eyes are the windows to the soul (including animals)!
I also, have two cats and looking into their eyes are about the same; they just have a little more attitude. LOL!
Enjoy getting a dog!
2006-12-16 11:52:24 · answer #4 · answered by slrice_57 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually you can gaze into your dogs eyes with love in your heart,just dont get down to their level.If you squat down and look at your dog eye to eye on his level,he will view that as a challenge.Do it from above,that way he will know who is in charge.Once he realizes that you are in charge I think you can look at him anytime from any position.But when you first get a dog it is very important to let him know that you are the boss.And I dont mean that in a mean way,I am an animal lover too,but if you dont establish right away who is in charge you may have a very ill behaved dog.And yes,staring into a cats eyes is viewed as a challenge by the cat.I usually just look at mine for a few seconds at a time,but with cats it is not as important to establish who is in charge.Cats are more independant.
2006-12-16 11:49:46 · answer #5 · answered by Mr Bellows 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
True, I have heard the same but but just looking at them is not what they are talking about. If you try to aggressively stare down a Rottweiler, you're asking for trouble. But when my Bichon has been naughty, I stare her right in the eyes with a frown and she's totally wounded without my having to yell at her. She's never been hit in her entire life but she'll put her ears back and slink away like she's totally ashamed.
Conversely, when I'm just looking at her (when I'm grooming her for example, which she hates) it's comforting rather than aggressive - she just looks back at me with big trusting eyes that say "Even though I hate being brushed, I know you're not really going to hurt me".
2006-12-16 11:49:42 · answer #6 · answered by Debra 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a dominance thing in the wild, but usually is fine to look into your dog's eyes. I look into my dog's eyes all the time and he's still calm and all.
2006-12-16 13:35:52 · answer #7 · answered by Judgerz 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i look my pet in the eyes no problem,not only that i was once attacked by a dog and i stood and looked him in the eyes and he turn to leave then another dog came along and i looked at him and they both backed off,the one had ripped my pants before the other came but that was it
2006-12-16 11:49:42 · answer #8 · answered by Me 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably just depends on the dog but never stare at a cat- they'll getcha!
2006-12-16 12:34:11 · answer #9 · answered by Jenn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well i have a cat and she just looks away... so i don't know about cats but if they know you well enough then i don't think you have to worry to much... unless you have a very big dog like a German Shepard for example... then i don't think its a very good idea
2006-12-16 11:48:55 · answer #10 · answered by jake t 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋