Eyes – Whale Eye – Dog Body Language

by Martha Knowles | May 10, 2019 | Dog Body Language, Eyes - Dog Body Language

Eyes – Whale Eye – Dog Body Language

‘Whale eye’ is a term used to describe dog body language referring to the dog’s eyes. This is when the whites of the eye (know as sclera) become pronounced. Whale eye is the most common term, but it can also be referred to as ‘half moon eye’.

Depending on the direction in which the dog’s eyes move, it is most likely to occur on either the inner corner or outer sides of the eye. In most cases, whale eye can be seen when the dog is experiencing some form of discomfort or anxiety.

The reason the whites of the eyes are visible is that the dog is most likely trying to avert his gaze, perhaps slightly turning his head away from what may be of concern to him, but he is also too cautious to take his eyes off the thing of concern. This action of slight head movement whilst trying to keep an eye on things causes the whites of the eyes to become evident. A fearful or aroused dog’s eyes become wider – another reason why the sclera becomes more pronounced. It is also likely in such cases that there will be muscle tension and ridges in areas of the face, pulling the eyes open wider.

If a dog is relaxed, the eyes appear slightly squinted or almond shaped. Certain dog breeds naturally have slightly bulging eyes, allowing the whites of the eyes to be visible at times, but, with such dogs, generally the amount of sclera visible is not as pronounced as true ‘whale eye’. This is why it is important not only to observe the eyes but the dog’s whole body and body language to correctly interpret what you have observed.

Whale eye should be treated with caution. Depending on the body language and context, it may mean the dog is feeling threatened, and there is a possibility the situation could escalate to a bite.

Here are a few examples of situations where ‘whale eye’ may be observed:

In an informal outdoor restaurant area, a few people are mingling and enjoying a drink. One person has brought her dog to the event. The dog is a sweet-looking poodle and attracts some attention from the people in the party. A person is keen to greet the dog and reaches over to pet him. The dog ducks down a bit and turns his head away from the person slightly. Whale eye is visible. He freezes ever so slightly and does a lip lick as the person pets his head. After the person stops petting, the dog does a quick shake off. From the body language observed, it seems the dog is not too comfortable with this stranger leaning over to pet him.
A dog is uncomfortable with a person approaching as she eats her food from her bowl. She perceives the approach as a threat to having her resource (the food) taken away. As the person approaches, the dog stops eating; her head dips down and turns ever so slightly in the direction of the bowl. Although her head is turned slightly towards the bowl, she keeps her eyes on the approaching person. The eyes are fixed, with a hard stare, and the whites of the eye (whale eye) are visible. Her body stiffens and freezes in place. Her ears are pushed forward and her mouth is closed. The stance of her body seems square, with a slight forward weight over her bowl and braced legs. A few seconds later, she is still frozen, and her lip starts curling, as she lets out a growl – giving a vocal warning as well as the body language to communicate her discomfort with the approach while she is eating.
A dog is being scolded by his guardian. The dog’s movements slow, and he pauses by standing with his body slightly curved away from his guardian. The dog’s body looks slightly lowered, with a rounded back, slightly dipped head, and tail tucked down. His mouth is closed, and his ears are pressed to the sides of his face. There seems to be a bit of tension and furrowing of the area around the eyes. His head is ever so slightly turned away from his guardian, and, as he looks up to his guardian, whale eye is visible.

These are just a few examples; there may be many more. Start observing to see if you can notice whale eye occurring in different contexts. As discussed below, interpretations such as the above examples should not be attempted without careful observation and consideration of all aspects of the situation.

A few notes to consider when observing dog body language:

Observation before interpretation

Interpretations should be offered only once you have observed the complete interaction and taken note of the wider picture. To offer an unbiased interpretation of the body language, observe and take note of the situation, taking into account the dog’s whole body, the body language signals and environment first before offering an interpretation. List all the body language you see in the order that it occurs; try to be descriptive as possible without adding any emotional language. For instance, saying a dog looks happy is not descriptive and would be seen as an interpretation rather than an observation.

You could however list what you observe: ears to the side, eyes almond shaped, slight shortening of the eye, mouth open, long lips, tongue out, body moving loosely, body facing side-on, tail wagging at a slow, even pace at body level.

From the observation I could interpret that the dog seems relaxed or comfortable. I still prefer to say relaxed rather than happy, as I feel you will truly never know exactly what the dog may be feeling on the inside emotionally. It is quite likely the dog may be feeling happy, but I prefer to comment on how the dog is behaving in response to the situation rather than presuming internal emotional states.

The importance of viewing body language within context

Interpretations can vary depending on the context. It is possible for certain body language to be used in different contexts and have subtle differences in meaning within those contexts. Individual body language signals should not be observed in isolation; the wider picture should be considered. Take note of what the dog’s body as a whole is saying. Keep in mind each dog is an individual with varying skills and experiences. What may be typical for one individual may not be for another. In order to observe body language in context, consider the following: the situation, body language signals, the body language expressed by all parts of the dog’s body, the environment, and the individuals involved. It is worth noting how the body language changes with feedback from the environment or the other individuals interacting.

Martha Knowles

Author

My vision is to create a community of dog guardians who share their observations and interpretations of their dogs’ silent conversations. Hopefully, these experiences and stories will provide some insight into dog communication, which is often overlooked by the untrained eye because it is unfamiliar to humans. We are accustomed to communicating mainly with sound, so we are not attuned to the silent subtle gestures and body language used by dogs to communicate. If you take the time to observe, you will start to see these 'silent conversations' going on around you. My dream is for dog communication to become common knowledge with all dog guardians and as many people as possible. Surprisingly, there are still some professionals working in various dog-related careers who are uneducated about dog body language. Greater awareness of how dogs communicate will help to provide better understanding and improve the mutual relationship between dogs and humans. This will promote safer interactions between our two species and hopefully remove some of the expectations placed on dogs within human society. I would like dog guardians to feel empowered with their knowledge of dog communication so that they can be their dogs’ advocates and stand up for themselves and their dogs when it really matters.

Eyes – Blinking – Dog Body Language

by Martha Knowles | Apr 14, 2019 | Dog Body Language, Eyes - Dog Body Language

Eyes – Blinking – Dog Body Language

The dog body language signal of blinking the eyes relies very much on the context in which it occurs and the dog’s whole body language in order to be interpreted correctly. Generally, blinking can be seen as a calming signal and may be used as part of other body language to negotiate with another individual. At times, blinking can occur due to stress or fear. In other situations, it may be offered as appeasement. Depending on the combination of body language, it may also be offered to show good will, whilst trying to calm an interaction down.

Direct eye contact in dog body language is impolite; it is used to warn or can be interpreted as confrontational. The purpose of a direct stare is to create space and encourage the other party to move away. A warning may be shown with direct eye contact (known as a hard stare or hard eye). The eyes will most probably be quite round, wide, fixed and still, without any blinking. So blinking is the opposite of that. As staring is impolite in dog body language, a blink may be used as a strategy when giving selected short bursts of polite eye contact. The blinks that are used as part of communication may be exaggerated by using slow deliberate blinks, or they may occur frequently in quick succession.

Here are a few examples of situations where a dog may offer blinking:

Two dogs are within close vicinity of one another in an open dog park. Suddenly, the one dog draws his attention towards the other dog. He does a three-quarter turn towards her and looks slightly tall, with his ears moving forwards and his tail up. He gazes over to the other dog and their eyes meet momentarily. Her reaction to the sudden eye contact is to turn her head marginally to the side, and, squinting her eyes slightly, she blinks a few times. He responds by blinking and turning his gaze away too. The other dog is trying to negotiate by blinking and turning her gaze away. She is saying she does not want to cause trouble and does not wish to interact.
A dog that is sitting on the ground is being scolded by his guardian. The dog’s mouth is closed, and his ears are back and flat to his head. He turns his head to the side, then he turns it back to face his guardian and does a lip lick. His eyes are squinted when facing his guardian and he yawns. He continues to face his guardian with ears back and eyes squinted; then he displays a succession of quick eye blinks, followed by further lip licks and more eye blinks. This is the typical body language that is misinterpreted as the ‘guilty look’. The dog is showing appeasement with his body language; he is responding to his guardian’s aggressive sounding voice and body postures. By using appeasing body language, he is trying to calm the situation down and communicating to his guardian he means no harm. Here is some further reading explaining the guilty look and a study conducted by Alexandra Horowitz, proving ‘the look’ does not correspond with the dog’s knowledge of the ‘bad’ behaviour.
This is an observation of a dog new to the shelter. She has only spent a couple of days in this unfamiliar environment and is fearful of the new surroundings and strangers at the shelter. A volunteer is trying to gain the dog’s trust and is sitting quietly across from her. The dog remains seated on the opposite side of the room and is keeping her distance from the person. The dog’s body is hunched over, with her head slightly down and her mouth closed. She seems very still, apart from occasionally turning her head slightly away from the person and giving a few blinks. On the previous occasion when the person spent time in the room, the dog’s eyes were wide and fixed on the person, and she displayed the same frozen looking body language. Although this dog is still frightened, the blinking is progress, as she is at least showing signs of communication and expressing herself. She is trying to communicate that she means no harm and does not want to be harmed. Taking into account the observations of the rest of her body language, it is apparent that the dog is still feeling fearful.
A dog is sitting in front of her guardian, who is filming her. There seems to be no tension in the dog’s body as she sits. Her tail is wagging in circles low to the ground. Her mouth is closed with no tension in the face muscles. Her ears are pointy, and they are in a neutral position, held up but ever so slightly positioned off to the side. As she looks up at her guardian, who is pointing the camera at her, the dog blinks at quite a rapid rate and does a subtle small movement of the head to the side. The tail wag and the relaxed body indicate that the dog seems comfortable with her guardian, but because the guardian is standing over her with a camera, and most probably facing front on to film the dog, she feels the need to blink as a calming signal. The pressure of having all the focus on her in such a direct manner may have gotten her to respond with blinking.
A person pets a dog, which sits in an enclosed cage. As the person leans into the cage area, the dog has no way of escaping and presses himself into the corner; he is sitting hunched over with his one paw lifted. His mouth is closed, and his movements are slow; he seems quite still. His ears are pulled back against his head, and he turns his head away and blinks as the person pets him on the shoulder. The dog does not feel comfortable and is slightly fearful of being petted. His discomfort is revealed by the combination of all his body language – the paw lift, the stillness of the dog, his hunched position (as he makes himself as small as possible), the blinking, and the way he backs himself to the rear of the cage.
A dog is sitting on the ground. His body is relaxed. His guardian asks him to do something. He responds by turning his head away and doing one slow blink. He may be feeling a bit of pressure at the guardian’s request and is indicating this by responding with the head turn and a slow blink.

These are just a few examples; there may be many more. Start observing to see if you can notice any blinking in different contexts. As discussed below, interpretations such as the above examples should not be attempted without careful observation and consideration of all aspects of the situation.

A few notes to consider when observing dog body language:

Observation before interpretation

Interpretations should be offered only once you have observed the complete interaction and taken note of the wider picture. To offer an unbiased interpretation of the body language, observe and take note of the situation, taking into account the dog’s whole body, the body language signals and environment first before offering an interpretation. List all the body language you see in the order that it occurs; try to be descriptive as possible without adding any emotional language. For instance, saying a dog looks happy is not descriptive and would be seen as an interpretation rather than an observation.

You could however list what you observe: ears to the side, eyes almond shaped, slight shortening of the eye, mouth open, long lips, tongue out, body moving loosely, body facing side-on, tail wagging at a slow, even pace at body level.

From the observation I could interpret that the dog seems relaxed or comfortable. I still prefer to say relaxed rather than happy, as I feel you will truly never know exactly what the dog may be feeling on the inside emotionally. It is quite likely the dog may be feeling happy, but I prefer to comment on how the dog is behaving in response to the situation rather than presuming internal emotional states.

The importance of viewing body language within context

Interpretations can vary depending on the context. It is possible for certain body language to be used in different contexts and have subtle differences in meaning within those contexts. Individual body language signals should not be observed in isolation; the wider picture should be considered. Take note of what the dog’s body as a whole is saying. Keep in mind each dog is an individual with varying skills and experiences. What may be typical for one individual may not be for another. In order to observe body language in context, consider the following: the situation, body language signals, the body language expressed by all parts of the dog’s body, the environment, and the individuals involved. It is worth noting how the body language changes with feedback from the environment or the other individuals interacting.

Martha Knowles

Author

My vision is to create a community of dog guardians who share their observations and interpretations of their dogs’ silent conversations. Hopefully, these experiences and stories will provide some insight into dog communication, which is often overlooked by the untrained eye because it is unfamiliar to humans. We are accustomed to communicating mainly with sound, so we are not attuned to the silent subtle gestures and body language used by dogs to communicate. If you take the time to observe, you will start to see these 'silent conversations' going on around you. My dream is for dog communication to become common knowledge with all dog guardians and as many people as possible. Surprisingly, there are still some professionals working in various dog-related careers who are uneducated about dog body language. Greater awareness of how dogs communicate will help to provide better understanding and improve the mutual relationship between dogs and humans. This will promote safer interactions between our two species and hopefully remove some of the expectations placed on dogs within human society. I would like dog guardians to feel empowered with their knowledge of dog communication so that they can be their dogs’ advocates and stand up for themselves and their dogs when it really matters.

Eyes – ‘Shortening of the Eye’ or Squinting – Dog Body Language

by Martha Knowles | Feb 1, 2019 | Dog Body Language, Eyes - Dog Body Language

Eyes – ‘Shortening of the Eye’ or Squinting – Dog Body Language

‘Shortening of the eye’ is a dog body language term used to describe when a dog squints his eyes slightly to deliberately soften them when interacting with another individual. It is used as a non-confrontational signal to indicate peaceful intentions in situations were there may be direct eye contact. In dog body language, direct eye contact or staring could be seen as confrontational; a hard stare in combination with a freeze of body is used as a warning. When a dog is relaxed, the eyes appear almond shaped and soft. To clearly indicate peaceful intentions, the dog may accentuate the eyes even further by squinting.

Depending on the context, body language signals, and what the rest of the dog’s body position is conveying at the time, squinting may also be used when a dog is displaying appeasement. In the case of appeasement, the eye may be squinted almost totally shut, which is different to the subtle slight squint involved in ‘shortening of the eye’. A dog that is showing appeasement signals may also be feeling some fear and may either freeze or crouch. It is best not to approach a fearful dog. There is a big difference in body language between a dog showing appeasement and a dog squinting his eyes to be polite. A dog that is comfortable and squinting his eyes to be polite might approach, whereas a fearful dog will keep his distance. There will be further differences with regard to body movement, as the comfortable dog will have a looser body and move with ease, whereas the fearful dog may seem frozen or stiff, showing little movement.

When interacting with a dog, you can squint your eyes ever so slightly to be polite; a slow blink can also be used. It is best to avoid direct eye contact by using peripheral vision and turning your head away slightly. A combination of this body language may be used to show polite intentions, especially towards a dog that is not at ease. It is always best to give any dog space and not approach. Read more about social interactions with dogs in this article: ‘How do you greet a dog politely?’

Since this article pertains to one area of the body, bear in mind the importance of observing the dog’s full body language and signals, as well as the context in which they appear, before attempting an interpretation. There may be different interpretations, depending on the combination of full body language observed.

Here are a few examples of situations where a dog may offer shortening of the eye:

A person is sitting on the ground and taking photos of the dogs in the park. One of the dogs, a retriever, is familiar with the person. The retriever spots the person with the camera and decides to approach them, as all the dogs he has been socializing with have moved on. He approaches with a loose flowing body, trotting up with his tail at about level with his back, giving a slow, sweeping wag. There is a slight curve in his body on approach. He lowers his head ever so slightly; he gently squints his eyes slightly on approach. His ears are relaxed and at the side, and his mouth is open and relaxed with a slight panting tongue. The retriever is at ease and trying to be polite by approaching with the slight curve of his body and shortening of the eye.
While sitting on the ground, a dog is being scolded by a person. As the person raises her voice, he pushes his ears back tightly against his head and squints his eyes shut. His mouth is closed and he gives a few careful lip licks. He remains still and occasionally opens his eyes slightly, giving a few blinks before squinting his eyes again. As the scolding tone of the person’s voice eases off, the dog wags his tail low to the ground, quickly from side to side. The dog is offering appeasement in response to his guardian’s raised voice and is trying to communicate he means no harm.
A dog is sitting near a group of people on the grass in a park. One person, who is sitting quite close, is looking at the dog and giving direct eye contact. The dog averts the gaze of the person by turning her head ever so slightly away and softening her eyes by squinting. The dog is trying to give a non-confrontational response to the direct eye contact.

These are just a few examples; there may be many more. Start observing to see if you can notice any squinting or shortening of the eye in different contexts. As discussed below, interpretations such as the above examples should not be attempted without careful observation and consideration of all aspects of the situation.

A few notes to consider when observing dog body language:

Observation before interpretation

Interpretations should be offered only once you have observed the complete interaction and taken note of the wider picture. To offer an unbiased interpretation of the body language, observe and take note of the situation, taking into account the dog’s whole body, the body language signals and environment first before offering an interpretation. List all the body language you see in the order that it occurs; try to be descriptive as possible without adding any emotional language. For instance, saying a dog looks happy is not descriptive and would be seen as an interpretation rather than an observation.

You could however list what you observe: ears to the side, eyes almond shaped, slight shortening of the eye, mouth open, long lips, tongue out, body moving loosely, body facing side-on, tail wagging at a slow, even pace at body level.

From the observation I could interpret that the dog seems relaxed or comfortable. I still prefer to say relaxed rather than happy, as I feel you will truly never know exactly what the dog may be feeling on the inside emotionally. It is quite likely the dog may be feeling happy, but I prefer to comment on how the dog is behaving in response to the situation rather than presuming internal emotional states.

The importance of viewing body language within context

Interpretations can vary depending on the context. It is possible for certain body language to be used in different contexts and have subtle differences in meaning within those contexts. Individual body language signals should not be observed in isolation; the wider picture should be considered. Take note of what the dog’s body as a whole is saying. Keep in mind each dog is an individual with varying skills and experiences. What may be typical for one individual may not be for another. In order to observe body language in context, consider the following: the situation, body language signals, the body language expressed by all parts of the dog’s body, the environment, and the individuals involved. It is worth noting how the body language changes with feedback from the environment or the other individuals interacting.

Martha Knowles

Author

My vision is to create a community of dog guardians who share their observations and interpretations of their dogs’ silent conversations. Hopefully, these experiences and stories will provide some insight into dog communication, which is often overlooked by the untrained eye because it is unfamiliar to humans. We are accustomed to communicating mainly with sound, so we are not attuned to the silent subtle gestures and body language used by dogs to communicate. If you take the time to observe, you will start to see these 'silent conversations' going on around you. My dream is for dog communication to become common knowledge with all dog guardians and as many people as possible. Surprisingly, there are still some professionals working in various dog-related careers who are uneducated about dog body language. Greater awareness of how dogs communicate will help to provide better understanding and improve the mutual relationship between dogs and humans. This will promote safer interactions between our two species and hopefully remove some of the expectations placed on dogs within human society. I would like dog guardians to feel empowered with their knowledge of dog communication so that they can be their dogs’ advocates and stand up for themselves and their dogs when it really matters.

Eyes – Pupils Dilated – Dog Body Language

by Martha Knowles | Dec 13, 2018 | Dog Body Language, Eyes - Dog Body Language

Eyes – Pupils Dilated – Dog Body Language

With regard to observing dog body language, pupil dilation can provide vital clues as to the dog’s emotional state. Dilation of pupils can occur in low light conditions to assist with vision by allowing more light into the eyes. In other instances it occurs as an involuntary response due to the sympathetic nervous system being activated. Dilated pupils can indicate the dog is feeling some form of stress*, fear or arousal.

Pupil dilation can be a subtle change in size, and at other times it is overt, with the pupils appearing so large that hardly any iris eye colour is visible. One cannot just observe one body part, such as dilated pupils in isolation; the whole body, including body language and signals, should be observed in their totality in order to offer a complete interpretation. Sometimes the body language signals, paired with dilated pupils, can be very subtle, so I like to pay attention to the dog’s body movements as part of the observation. The movement seems to be at two ends of the spectrum: At one end, the dog may appear frozen or still and not move much. At the other end, the dog may seem jittery and unable to be still, to the extent that he reveals noticeably tense muscles and muscle twitches, which may be caused by a build up of adrenaline in the system, activated by the sympathetic nervous system.

Caution is advised when trying to observe a dog’s eyes. It is worth paying attention to being polite by avoiding direct eye contact and any prolonged staring, especially if a dog is already experiencing some discomfort. Give the dog space, and use your peripheral vision to observe without giving direct eye contact. You can squint your eyes and blink if giving short amounts of eye contact. It is also advisable to turn your head away ever so slightly and keep your body turned side-on to the dog, so that you are not adding to the pressure the dog may be experiencing with your body language.

Here are a few examples of situations where a dog’s pupils may appear dilated:

This is an observation of a dog showing fear in a vet’s examination room. The dog is panting heavily, with the tongue starting to look spatulate. The eyes are wide, the pupils dilated, and he keeps scanning the environment. As he pants, his mouth is wide open, and there are quite a few deep creases forming around the corners of the mouth, under the eyes, and on the brow area. The ears are held to the side; on occasion they move from the side to the front to listen to sounds in the veterinary rooms. He seems restless and sits on the floor before pacing around the room with tail tucked and body slightly lowered. With his tail still tucked, he walks over to the door and sniffs underneath it. Then he paces back near to his guardian. After stopping for a while, he continues pacing around the room whilst panting.

On her blog, Eileen has shared informative examples of her dog, Clara’s, facial expressions when visiting a vet. The photos illustrate clearly how stress is displayed in the facial features. There is also a comparison of Clara’s facial expressions when relaxed, as opposed to stressed. In the photos that illustrate the stressed expressions, the pupils appear dilated. For excellent photographic examples of dilated pupils click here.

A dog is very excited to go out for a walk. When the guardian walks into the room with the leash in hand, the dog starts running around the room, wagging his tail very fast, and jumps up at the person. The dog is now panting and his pupils are heavily dilated. He jumps up some more, making it difficult for the guardian to clip the leash on. With his eyes wide, the dog briefly runs around the room again, and then he does a quick shake off. The dilated pupils, panting, fast movement, and inability to stay still indicate the dog is over aroused due to excitement.
At a shelter, a volunteer returns to the room with a dog. The dog starts panting the minute she is back in her room. Her pupils become heavily dilated, and her eyes appear wide. The areas under her eyes look puffy, and muscle tension causes deep furrows start to show on her face. She paces around the room for a few moments, then chooses to sit. Her ears are held to the side but move slightly forward, and her mouth closes for a moment as she listens to the sounds coming from the shelter corridors. She continues to pant and then gives a big yawn. This is an observation of a dog at a shelter becoming stressed when she returns to her room and is left there on her own.

These are just a few examples; there may be many more. Start observing to see if you can notice pupil dilation in different contexts. As discussed below, interpretations such as the above examples should not be attempted without careful observation and consideration of all aspects of the situation.

What is meant by stress*?

When I mention stress, this does not necessarily imply negative emotion. I mean stress in the physiological sense. So certain body language signals can mean the dog is feeling some sort of emotional discourse. This discourse could range from positive to negative emotion. Both excitement and fear could have similar effects on the body, with various hormones being released and activating the sympathetic nervous system. The dog may be feeling uncomfortable/fearful or it could also be excited about something. When analyzing stress in body language, it is worth noting the frequency and intensity of the various body language signals.

A few notes to consider when observing dog body language:

Observation before interpretation

Interpretations should be offered only once you have observed the complete interaction and taken note of the wider picture. To offer an unbiased interpretation of the body language, observe and take note of the situation, taking into account the dog’s whole body, the body language signals and environment first before offering an interpretation. List all the body language you see in the order that it occurs; try to be descriptive as possible without adding any emotional language. For instance, saying a dog looks happy is not descriptive and would be seen as an interpretation rather than an observation.

You could however list what you observe: ears to the side, eyes almond shaped, slight shortening of the eye, mouth open, long lips, tongue out, body moving loosely, body facing side-on, tail wagging at a slow, even pace at body level.

From the observation I could interpret that the dog seems relaxed or comfortable. I still prefer to say relaxed rather than happy, as I feel you will truly never know exactly what the dog may be feeling on the inside emotionally. It is quite likely the dog may be feeling happy, but I prefer to comment on how the dog is behaving in response to the situation rather than presuming internal emotional states.

The importance of viewing body language within context

Interpretations can vary depending on the context. It is possible for certain body language to be used in different contexts and have subtle differences in meaning within those contexts. Individual body language signals should not be observed in isolation; the wider picture should be considered. Take note of what the dog’s body as a whole is saying. Keep in mind each dog is an individual with varying skills and experiences. What may be typical for one individual may not be for another. In order to observe body language in context, consider the following: the situation, body language signals, the body language expressed by all parts of the dog’s body, the environment, and the individuals involved. It is worth noting how the body language changes with feedback from the environment or the other individuals interacting.

Martha Knowles

Author

My vision is to create a community of dog guardians who share their observations and interpretations of their dogs’ silent conversations. Hopefully, these experiences and stories will provide some insight into dog communication, which is often overlooked by the untrained eye because it is unfamiliar to humans. We are accustomed to communicating mainly with sound, so we are not attuned to the silent subtle gestures and body language used by dogs to communicate. If you take the time to observe, you will start to see these 'silent conversations' going on around you. My dream is for dog communication to become common knowledge with all dog guardians and as many people as possible. Surprisingly, there are still some professionals working in various dog-related careers who are uneducated about dog body language. Greater awareness of how dogs communicate will help to provide better understanding and improve the mutual relationship between dogs and humans. This will promote safer interactions between our two species and hopefully remove some of the expectations placed on dogs within human society. I would like dog guardians to feel empowered with their knowledge of dog communication so that they can be their dogs’ advocates and stand up for themselves and their dogs when it really matters.

Eyes – Hard Eye – Dog Body Language

by Martha Knowles | Nov 11, 2018 | Dog Body Language, Eyes - Dog Body Language

Eyes – Hard Eye – Dog Body Language

The term ‘hard eye’ in dog body language refers to situations where a dog gives direct eye contact, characterized by an intense hardened, fixed, glassy stare. Eye contact is not polite in dog communication and is used for the purpose of a warning or as a direct threat to another party, with intent of further action should the party not heed the warning by moving away.

Hard eye can be difficult to describe; there is a lack of analytical language to convey precisely how the eyes appear. If you have been on the receiving end of ‘hard eye’, it is something that you will sense, however difficult it is to put in words. The eyes seem to glaze over and become colder, and there is a definite change in their appearance, as well as a lack of warmth.

Hard eye is normally displayed along with other body language: the eyes will appear large and wide, the dog’s mouth may close, or the dog may already be displaying an agonistic pucker (showing teeth). Tense areas may be apparent on the face, with the skin pulled back or deep furrows showing in areas. The ears may be positioned slightly to the side or moved forward with tension, while the whiskers may look flared or appear to be pushed forward. The dog’s body might orient towards the party receiving the stare, and the whole body could seem tense. Most commonly, the dog will appear still and frozen. A hard stare and freeze may be the last warning before further escalation or even a bite.

The hard stare and freeze can be prolonged in some instances, but in other situations it may occur so quickly that it is missed, with people not realizing a warning was given before a bite. There is a quick glaze, along with a freeze of the body, and, within seconds, a fracas breaks out between two dogs, with the human not realizing which dog instigated it with a stare.

This is why it is important to consider how you use eye contact when interacting with a dog, especially one that is unknown to you. If you wish to be polite, it is crucial to try to build trust by avoiding direct eye contact – especially in the first interactions. As well as being aware of your eye contact, make sure your body is positioned in a non-confrontational manner by turning your shoulder away, with your body facing side-on to the dog. It is polite to avoid staring by turning your head away slightly, using your peripheral vision to observe the dog. If you do give a little selected eye contact, do so for short periods with slightly squinted eyes, and you can also include some slow blinking. Most dogs have grown accustomed to receiving direct eye contact from humans, especially from family members with whom they may feel comfortable. Some dogs may not respond to direct eye contact favorably, especially from strangers, and may display their fear by barking or lunging at the person.

Here are a few examples of situations where a dog may display a hard eye:

An adult dog is lying down on the ground, chewing on a toy. An adolescent dog is playing around with another toy across from the older dog. He throws his toy around clumsily, dropping it near the adult dog’s feet. The adolescent dog playfully stumbles over towards his dropped toy. The adult dog is wary of the younger dog coming closer and possibly attempting to take his toy instead of the one dropped, so he keeps the toy in his mouth, quickly stops chewing, and freezes. His ears go ever so slightly forward, his eyes become wider, and he gives a direct stare towards the adolescent dog, whilst keeping very still. The adolescent playfully paws in the direction of the adult and lets out a playful huff. Remaining frozen, the adult continues to give eye contact. His nose creases and he shows some of his front teeth. The adolescent averts his head slightly, does a lip lick, and turns away to pick up another toy, which is on the floor a little further away.
A person is standing between a couple of dogs and giving each of them attention. Another dog approaches the group. One of the dogs receiving attention freezes for a second. Whilst orienting towards the approaching dog, he gives direct eye contact with a hard stare. This happens in an instant. The person giving attention to the dogs is standing behind the dog that is giving the stare, and she does not realize this is occurring. Unfortunately, by engaging with the approaching dog, she continues to encourage him to come closer. The dog that is giving the stare lunges and snaps at the approaching dog, which reacts and snaps back. All of this happens so quickly. The person shouts at the approaching dog, whereupon both dogs move away and do a shake off.
There are a few dogs hanging out in a dog park. One of the dogs, a small terrier mix, prefers to not interact with the dogs running around and chooses to lie down in the shade near where the people are sitting. After a few minutes, a poodle mix decides to walk towards the terrier, which is still lying in the shade. He approaches the terrier from behind and gently scents his rear end and back. Although the terrier remains lying down, his body stiffens, his head rises slightly, and his ears move a little to the side. He becomes very still and his eyes seem wide. The terrier does not turn to look at the dog sniffing him but remains still. The poodle now carefully walks in a slight curve to the front of the terrier. With eyes somewhat squinted, and ears a little back, he stretches out to carefully sniff the terrier around the face. The terrier turns his head away slightly; his eyes remain wide and have a hard appearance, and a bit of ‘whale eye’ is visible. The reason for the appearance of ‘whale eye’ (the sclera or whites of the eyes becoming pronounced) is that the dog is trying not to give direct eye contact but does not feel comfortable taking his eye off the subject that is causing him concern. The poodle continues to air sniff near the terrier’s face. The terrier still frozen, and revealing hard eyes, now lifts his lip, showing some teeth. The poodle does a head turn and lifts his paw, then decides to carefully turn and walk away from the terrier.

These are just a few examples; there may be many more. Start observing to see if you can notice ‘hard eye’ in different contexts. As discussed below, interpretations such as the above examples should not be attempted without careful observation and consideration of all aspects of the situation.

A few notes to consider when observing dog body language:

Observation before interpretation

Interpretations should be offered only once you have observed the complete interaction and taken note of the wider picture. To offer an unbiased interpretation of the body language, observe and take note of the situation, taking into account the dog’s whole body, the body language signals and environment first before offering an interpretation. List all the body language you see in the order that it occurs; try to be descriptive as possible without adding any emotional language. For instance, saying a dog looks happy is not descriptive and would be seen as an interpretation rather than an observation.

You could however list what you observe: ears to the side, eyes almond shaped, slight shortening of the eye, mouth open, long lips, tongue out, body moving loosely, body facing side-on, tail wagging at a slow, even pace at body level.

From the observation I could interpret that the dog seems relaxed or comfortable. I still prefer to say relaxed rather than happy, as I feel you will truly never know exactly what the dog may be feeling on the inside emotionally. It is quite likely the dog may be feeling happy, but I prefer to comment on how the dog is behaving in response to the situation rather than presuming internal emotional states.

The importance of viewing body language within context

Interpretations can vary depending on the context. It is possible for certain body language to be used in different contexts and have subtle differences in meaning within those contexts. Individual body language signals should not be observed in isolation; the wider picture should be considered. Take note of what the dog’s body as a whole is saying. Keep in mind each dog is an individual with varying skills and experiences. What may be typical for one individual may not be for another. In order to observe body language in context, consider the following: the situation, body language signals, the body language expressed by all parts of the dog’s body, the environment, and the individuals involved. It is worth noting how the body language changes with feedback from the environment or the other individuals interacting.

Martha Knowles

Author

My vision is to create a community of dog guardians who share their observations and interpretations of their dogs’ silent conversations. Hopefully, these experiences and stories will provide some insight into dog communication, which is often overlooked by the untrained eye because it is unfamiliar to humans. We are accustomed to communicating mainly with sound, so we are not attuned to the silent subtle gestures and body language used by dogs to communicate. If you take the time to observe, you will start to see these 'silent conversations' going on around you. My dream is for dog communication to become common knowledge with all dog guardians and as many people as possible. Surprisingly, there are still some professionals working in various dog-related careers who are uneducated about dog body language. Greater awareness of how dogs communicate will help to provide better understanding and improve the mutual relationship between dogs and humans. This will promote safer interactions between our two species and hopefully remove some of the expectations placed on dogs within human society. I would like dog guardians to feel empowered with their knowledge of dog communication so that they can be their dogs’ advocates and stand up for themselves and their dogs when it really matters.

Eyes – Almond shaped – Dog Body Language

by Martha Knowles | Sep 29, 2018 | Dog Body Language, Eyes - Dog Body Language

Eyes – Almond shaped – Dog Body Language

‘Almond-shaped eyes’ is a term used to describe the eyes of a dog in a relaxed and neutral position. The term ‘soft eyes’ may also be used and implies almond-shaped eyes. Both terms are quite self-explanatory. For instance, if a dog is alert, anxious or uncomfortable, the eyes will appear larger and rounder due to muscular tension in the face pulling the eyes open wider. If there is no tension in the face, the eyes naturally should appear slightly squinted and almond shaped. The gaze of the eyes should appear soft.

Along with soft/almond-shaped eyes, other parts of the dog’s body will indicate that the dog is relaxed. There should not be any tension around the eyes or on the face. The eyes may blink. The dog’s mouth may be slightly open, the ears could be slightly to the side and neutral, the body should be loose and moving fluidly.

Here are a few examples of situations where a dog eyes may appear almond shaped:

A dog is lying on the grass in the park. There is no tension in his body; he seems relaxed and his tail lies loosely on the ground, following the curve of his back. His eyes are neutral and almond shaped, and his mouth is slightly open at times. His ears are relaxed and to the side, and occasionally they move around to listen to the sounds in the park. He slowly dips down his head and sniffs some of the grass in front of him. As his guardian approaches, the dog looks up at him, slightly squinting his eyes. His ears move back slightly, and he thumps his tail on the ground in a slow, circular pattern.
A dog is walking around in the park, off leash. His body looks loose, and he moves easily as he strolls around. His eyes are almond shaped and his ears are to the side. His mouth is open, his lips look long, and his tongue is hanging out, as it is a warm day. Occasionally, he curves and dips his head down to sniff the grass, his mouth closing as he does so. He curves round to watch some dogs greeting each other in the distance. Stopping, he lifts his head a bit higher and closes his mouth. His ears go slightly forward, and his tail pauses and is held level with his back. The dogs in the distance greet curve around each other and go their separate ways. The dog curves away, moving in a loose flowing manner, with his tail wagging slightly from side to side. He continues to walk in the opposite direction and occasionally dips his head down to sniff.

These are just a few examples; there may be many more. Start observing to see if you can notice almond-shaped eyes in different contexts. As discussed below, interpretations such as the above examples should not be attempted without careful observation and consideration of all aspects of the situation.

A few notes to consider when observing dog body language:

Observation before interpretation

Interpretations should be offered only once you have observed the complete interaction and taken note of the wider picture. To offer an unbiased interpretation of the body language, observe and take note of the situation, taking into account the dog’s whole body, the body language signals and environment first before offering an interpretation. List all the body language you see in the order that it occurs; try to be descriptive as possible without adding any emotional language. For instance, saying a dog looks happy is not descriptive and would be seen as an interpretation rather than an observation.

You could however list what you observe: ears to the side, eyes almond shaped, slight shortening of the eye, mouth open, long lips, tongue out, body moving loosely, body facing side-on, tail wagging at a slow, even pace at body level.

From the observation I could interpret that the dog seems relaxed or comfortable. I still prefer to say relaxed rather than happy, as I feel you will truly never know exactly what the dog may be feeling on the inside emotionally. It is quite likely the dog may be feeling happy, but I prefer to comment on how the dog is behaving in response to the situation rather than presuming internal emotional states.

The importance of viewing body language within context

Interpretations can vary depending on the context. It is possible for certain body language to be used in different contexts and have subtle differences in meaning within those contexts. Individual body language signals should not be observed in isolation; the wider picture should be considered. Take note of what the dog’s body as a whole is saying. Keep in mind each dog is an individual with varying skills and experiences. What may be typical for one individual may not be for another. In order to observe body language in context, consider the following: the situation, body language signals, the body language expressed by all parts of the dog’s body, the environment, and the individuals involved. It is worth noting how the body language changes with feedback from the environment or the other individuals interacting.

Martha Knowles

Author

My vision is to create a community of dog guardians who share their observations and interpretations of their dogs’ silent conversations. Hopefully, these experiences and stories will provide some insight into dog communication, which is often overlooked by the untrained eye because it is unfamiliar to humans. We are accustomed to communicating mainly with sound, so we are not attuned to the silent subtle gestures and body language used by dogs to communicate. If you take the time to observe, you will start to see these 'silent conversations' going on around you. My dream is for dog communication to become common knowledge with all dog guardians and as many people as possible. Surprisingly, there are still some professionals working in various dog-related careers who are uneducated about dog body language. Greater awareness of how dogs communicate will help to provide better understanding and improve the mutual relationship between dogs and humans. This will promote safer interactions between our two species and hopefully remove some of the expectations placed on dogs within human society. I would like dog guardians to feel empowered with their knowledge of dog communication so that they can be their dogs’ advocates and stand up for themselves and their dogs when it really matters.