Michelle Lehr, CCMT
Head Writer
Your dog’s eyes can tell you a lot about your canine best friend. Soft eyes signify a relaxed dog, a hard stare is a threat, but what about a sliver of white in the eyes?
Almost every dog owner has seen their dog give them the side eye or whale eye at some point. The dog side eye: why does my dog give me whale eye? Next time you see that dog side eye glance you will understand what your dog is communicating.
When humans shift their eyes it’s called side eye, when canines do this same thing, it’s referred to as whale eye. Whale eye (or dog side eye) is one way your dog can communicate with you. Your dog might turn their head away but continue to look at you, another person, or an object.
In this article you will learn the description of dog side eye, the meaning of why dogs give us the whale eye or dog side-eye, and what is the best way for you to respond.
How do you know if your dog is glancing at you or if they are giving you the side-eye? The dog will give other body language to clearly communicate with you.
The Dog Side Eye Described
The dog side eye is described as the dog having wide, often bulging, eyes where the whites of the eyes are showing. The correct name for the white outer surface of the eye, that you notice is called the sclera.
Other names for whale eye are dog side-eye, half-moon eye or moon eye. They all mean that your dog is showing a sliver of white sclera in their glance.
Your dog isn’t trying to keep a secret from you, they are truly making every attempt to communicate with you and those around them. A dog’s body language includes the position of the ears, a loose body or rigid posture, whether their mouth is open or firmly closed, and if the whites of their eyes are showing.
In the case of dog side eye, you might see a stiff facial expression and a closed mouth. The dog will appear tense and often the ears will be in the back position. If you read this body language, it means the dog is fearful.
Whale eye or dog side eye can be interrupted as a suspicious look, which would be close to what the dog is trying to communicate. They may indeed be suspicious of another human, your behavior, or something in their environment.
Humans need to read the dog correctly and not approach a dog that is exhibiting fearful or anxious body language. Later in the article suggestions will be given on the best way to respond.
The Meaning of Dog Side Eye or Whale Eye
Your canine companion does much communicating with their eyes. In most cases, the dog is trying to give a warning sign. As humans if we should greet a dog and the whites of the eye are in a half-moon shape, that is a signal to be cautious.
The importance of carefully reading canine body language is it is the way our dogs can let humans know what they are thinking or feeling. It is when we ignore this language and do our own thing that dogs can respond aggressively.
In the life of a dog, there are many reasons or situations that could lead a dog to exhibit dog side eye or whale eye. Here are a few reasons:
Frightened. Either a human or something in the environment is making the dog feel scared and insecure. It could be a new dog, new sound or unreadable body language from other canines and humans.
Threatened. Dogs can feel threatened by other dogs or humans. Dogs that stare at other dogs are not being friendly, it’s communicated as a threat.
Extremely uncomfortable. An anxious dog will feel extremely uncomfortable in new situations. It’s a good thing to notice in your dog.
Learning a New Skill. When your dog is uncertain of what you are communicating, or you are moving too fast for them, especially while teaching a new skill, they might give you whale eye.
Confused. A dog can be confused by humans either due to our awkward body language, new emotions, or contradicting commands.
Stress. When a dog is stressed, they can exhibit it in the form of dog side-eye, growling, pacing, and even barking.
Resource Guarding. Dogs can become possessive of high value items, which can be a favorite chew toy, their food dish, another dog, or their owner.
Experiencing Pain. When a dog injures their eyes, they will need to see an emergency vet. Dogs will experience pain and often need care right away in hopes of saving their vision. If your dog has a foreign object in their eye, they will need to be examined by a veterinary professional.
Another reason to be in pain is from a stroke. Acute strokes are more common in older dogs. They may have sudden unusual eye movements that could include dog side eye.
A veterinarian will take action to find the underlying condition. When in doubt schedule your furry friends for a recheck visit.
Guilty. After your dog grabs food off the counter or urinates inside the house, they may give what appears as a “guilty side-eye.” This happens when the dog is met with your disapproval, or they were caught doing something that makes you upset.
When dog owners walk into a room and are greeted by their dog with a guilty side-eye, it’s a good indicator that something is not right in the house.
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When humans physically move too quickly or proceed into a dog’s space, the dog might communicate to them to step away with the dog side-eye. Dogs of all sizes often show whale eye when being hugged by strangers or small children.
The most common reasons for dog side eye are anxiousness and fear. Keep in mind that the dog may be trying to tell the humans that its next course of action is biting.
Humans need to know that it is instinctive of a fearful dog to react by muzzle punching and/or biting. Reading an animal’s eyes can save both humans and dogs an unpleasant experience.
Dog owners often ask does dog side eye or whale eye always mean my dog is scared. The answer to that question is not always. Some dogs show the white of their eyes when they are playing or being silly.
Others use dog side eye as an appeasement gesture. They turn their head away to indicate to you or another dog they are not a threat.
It might even be due to displeasure. Here is a hilarious video of a dog whose owners are picking it up from the kennel.
The key is to know your dog and what their body language is communicating. If your dog gives you whale eyes, but their body is loose and going down into a play bow, that means they are not feeling threatened. Know your dog and observe other indicators such as mouth and ear posture.
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The Best Way Humans Can Respond to Dog Side Eye
How we respond to dog side eye could prevent a dog bite or further aggression. The best course of action is to find key to figuring out what triggers your dog is to have good awareness of your actions, observations of the environment and watching your dog’s overall body language.
- Identity the conflict by knowing what makes your dog stressed or anxious and try to alleviate when reasonable.
- Practice eye contact daily so when your dog gives you whale eye, you can redirect their focus on you. Remain calm and direct your dog to move away from the threatening object.
- Redirect your dog if there is an environmental trigger. Triggers could include other dogs, cats, squirrels, strollers, or a group of children.
- Early positive socialization is crucial to help puppies and young dogs become desensitized to the environment where they live.
- Administer calming strokes or bodywork for an anxious dog that gives the dog side eye.
- If your dog is recovering from any surgical procedures, allow them to rest in a calm and low-stress environment.
Dog side eye is a dog’s way of letting others know they might be afraid, threatened or in some cases ready to play. Owners that are knowledgeable about dog body language can respond properly.
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Dogs and the Whale Eye
Now you have a name to the common side glance you can get from greeting anxious dogs. Just as humans communicate through our facial expressions, including our eyes, dogs can do the same.
Dog side eye can be seen by dogs that are anxious, hurt, threatened, and stressed. When teaching your dog a new skill, avoid confusing them by having small direct approximations.
If you find that your dog is resource guarding either you or an object, then it is time to train a new response. Training your dog is sit beside you instead of on you is one of many solutions. Put away toys that are of high value when young people come into your dog’s living space.
When your dog is threatened by a group of people, they will turn their head and give whale eye. They might also lick their lips and have their tail in an upright position. This behavior indicates that everyone needs to back off and give the dog some space.
One last reminder is it is good to keep in mind your body language when you greet a dog. When humans are stiff, closed mouth, and have a rigid posture, the dog will read that we are unapproachable and often a threat.
Dogs can be underestimated when it comes to knowing how to read other dogs and human behavior. Learn to greet dogs with a relaxed body and a smile on your face. It will boost your mood and tell the dog that you are friendly.
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