Looking you in the eye? Pics of Oz, Gull and Murph too

[ParNone]

Hi ya'll!

Do your dogs stare into your eyes? Everything I've read about dogs says that staring directly into your eyes is a dominant gesture, but I have my doubts about that. Oz and I stare at each other all the time and he's really not a dominant dog at all and definitely not with me. It's more like we're communicating with each other. When I'm talking to him, he's trying to figure out more, by reading the expression in my eyes or at least that's the feeling I get. He's a very communicative dog.

Maddie was like this too and she was always trying to tell me things. She was a dominant dog with other dogs, but not with me. So I don't think it was a dominant gesture towards me. She and Oz both have that quality, where they seem to read my mind. Knowing my needs and have a high level of intelligence. So I wonder if in some dogs it can me more related to that.

Gull, who does have somewhat of a dominant side, but again not with me, if I look him in the eyes, he automatically looks away. Murph is more submissive in nature and he won't look me in the eyes. I wouldn't say either Murph or Gull aren't intelligent. And they both are very devoted and watchful of me, but not attuned to my feelings like Oz and Maddie. Just wonder sometimes if it's related to the eye thing and was curious about other's dogs.

Thought I'd toss in a few pics too. Haven't posted any in quite a while








Par...

[Glacier]

It is most often a dominant act, particularly when done to another dog. However, that can vary by dog and by breed. A direct stare is very common husky behavior and not neccessarily dominance related. It's just a husky trait.

Great pics! Lovely puppers.

[anna_66]

A direct stare is very common husky behavior and not neccessarily dominance related. It's just a husky trait.

You couldn't be more right. Roxey stares all the time (expecially if you have food). I guess that's the way I trained her too. If she looks me in the eye (paid attention to me), she gets her goodie.
Huney will look away and Bon, he's kinda gets weireded out if you stare at him

Those are some gorgeous pictures of your three Par, I just love the look on each and everyone of their faces

[wolf_Q]

First of all, your dogs are so gorgeous! I'm happy to see pics of them again. Is Gull bigger than Oz now?

Nebo will look me right in the eye too and I don't think it's a dominance thing either with me, it is with other dogs though. He just likes to stare...I think it may be more intimidating sometimes with the blue eyes though, his eyes scare people! One of my co-workers got all freaked out the other day because Nebo was staring right at her and smiling lol.

Sydney likes to get right up in your face, smell your breath, and stare at you. She prefers to have eye contact nose to nose. She doesn't look away either, and it's not dominance she's just wants attention when she does that.

Reggie's older and he's kind of in his own little world most of the time...he won't sit still long enough to look him in the eyes.

[RobiLee]

I'm always a happy woman when I see your gorgeous furkids! You have three very handsome boys there, Par.

My girls also look me in the eyes and I just look right back until they look away..lol. Its become a game now. i don't think it is a dominance issue between us though. I'm sure it is if it were another dog.

Amy, I also feel like people don't like it if Tori looks at them...lol...I have had several people say she looks evil...lol.

[ramanth]

Kia's always staring at me. And sometimes if I don't stare back she'll whine, so we'll just sit and stare at each other. LOL!

Nebo will look me right in the eye too and I don't think it's a dominance thing either with me, it is with other dogs though. He just likes to stare...I think it may be more intimidating sometimes with the blue eyes though, his eyes scare people! One of my co-workers got all freaked out the other day because Nebo was staring right at her and smiling lol.

Ditto! I know how you feel Amy. Kia stares at people and they flip out.

Par, Oz, Gully, and Murph are all beautiful. And my has Gully filled out! *edit* You answered my question in the post above.

[pitc9]

With having two hard headed Shepherds at home, staring is not allowed at my house!! If someone stares at me, I stare back at them until they blink or look away. Yes.....We have dominance issues at my house!
It all depends on the breed, high intensity breeds (GSD's, rotts, dobes) need to be taken seriously when they stare at you. You may not know what they're doing, but be assured that they know exactly what they are doing!
...sorry for rambling, I've been watching Cesar Milan too much!

Par, with eyes like Gull & Oz.. how could you NOT stare into their eyes?!?!
And Murph.. can you even SEE his eyes?? LOL!!!
Clarebear... LOL.... I didn't have a clue as to what you were talking about with the soap!!

[Toby's my baby]

Maggie stares into your eyes a lot, but I dont think it has anything to do with dominence, because she knows who is the dominent one. Great pictures! Your dogs are beautiful!

[lvpets2002]

OMG what sweet cutie pies these two are.. Yup I would say we are having eye contact.. Nice pics

[poofy]

I really like the pictures.SammyJ will look me straight in the eye, and we have a stare down till he turns his head, this is usually when hes upset with me.

[Jadapit]

Jada stares into my eyes a lot. Its with love. Your dogs are so beautiful. I love it when you post pictures of them.

[Love4BCs]

OMG.. I love your Collies. They're are absolutely BEAUTIFUL.

Mickey looks me in the eye a lot. I blink. I just shrug off all that crap about dominance and stuff. Whatever. I think dogs are smart enough to just learn their place with bothering with eyeing crap. lol

[clarebear]

Awww they are so cute and handsome!. The one who has soap on his head doesnt seem to mind it at all!.

I love a nice clean dog LOL

[Kirbys Mom]

oh i love smooth collies, i have a rough blue merle.

[K9soul]

It's such a treat to see your trio Par. Mine gaze at me with love sometimes too, it's not a dominant stare-down, I'm sure I'd be able to tell the difference. It's kind of a wistful, curious or loving gaze. Oz's eyes are so gorgeous. Give all three of those sweeties some loving from me