It\u2019s not hard to imagine why a loyal dog might stare devotedly at his master. It\u2019s the stuff of Old Yeller, White Fang and Lassie \u2014 starers, all. But some\u00a0dogs\u00a0take staring to extremes, following their owners around with baleful eyes as if expecting links of sausage to fly from their human\u2019s fingertips.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s face it: Dogs love their owners, but when they stare expectantly, it\u2019s not usually because they\u2019re trapped in a reverie of devotion. Rather, it\u2019s because they\u2019re thinking they might get something. And usually, that \u201csomething\u201d involves a tasty snack.<\/p>\n
But\u00a0dogs\u00a0can-and do-stare at their owners for plenty of non-food issues, too. Indeed, anything a dog might want that a human can provide could be the source of the staring behavior, from a fun game of fetch to a\u00a0ride in the car\u00a0or a long run.<\/p>\n
Then there\u2019s the possibility that a dog is simply seeking attention in any form, or perhaps she\u2019s merely waiting for praise or direction. Some dogs may just be trying to read an emotion in our human facial expressions.<\/p>\n
In any case, staring is typically considered to be a good thing. In fact, most trainers encourage\u00a0dogs to stare at their owners while awaiting their cues. And if you\u2019ve never done it, gazing deeply into a dog\u2019s eyes can be a highly rewarding pastime.<\/p>\n
Before you try it, be aware that staring directly into a dog\u2019s eyes can be considered a direct challenge. That\u2019s why mutual staring is an activity that\u2019s only to be encouraged within the context of a healthy dog-human relationship unsullied by any taint of aggression or behavioral abnormalities.<\/p>\n