Why Staring Makes Your Dog More Reactive & What to do About it
You’re walking down East Coast Road in sunny SG minding your own business and catch someone approaching you head on, giving you a death stare. You feel awkward, fearful, maybe even a bit angry. “Simi Sai!?”
Dogs can be the same. It can be confusing and a bit unsettling, especially if your dog starts to growl, bark, or back away on a busy street. Let’s dive into why staring at dogs can make them uncomfortable or reactive.
Staring is Rude!
Dogs communicate primarily through body language and in their language direct eye contact as a sign of confrontation or aggression. This behavior is rooted in their evolutionary history. In the wild, prolonged eye contact between animals can signify a challenge or a threat. When a dog feels threatened, their natural response might be to defend themselves, which can result in growling, barking, or even lunging.
Because a direct stare can be perceived as rude, you’ll find that polite dogs use subtle cues like averting their gaze, blinking, or looking away to signal that they mean no harm when they interact with each other, and even with us humans.
When a human stares, it can confuse or overwhelm the dog because it doesn’t align with their natural communication methods.
Discomfort with Strangers
Just like humans, dogs can feel uneasy around strangers. If an unfamiliar person is staring at them, it can exacerbate their discomfort. Staring can be seen as an intrusion of personal space.
Think about how you feel when someone stands too close to you on a crowded MRT. Even if they mean no harm, the invasion of personal space can make you feel anxious or irritated. For dogs, direct staring can feel like a similar invasion, prompting them to react defensively.
What to do when someone stares
Below are the three most effective techniques to avoid an embarrassing situation with your dog on the streets of Singapore.
- Crossing the street to the other side so that the staring or fearful person isn’t in proximity
- Asking for your dog’s attention BEFORE they can get into a staring match with the on comer and rewarding for it. No shame in distracting your dog, if it can keep the peace in a tight situation!
- Rewarding your dog for noticing oncoming people regularly, so that they get into the habit of looking to you when people approach. That way they end up associating on comers with good things like treats and toys instead of scary threats!
Conclusion
Understanding why staring makes dogs uncomfortable or reactive is a crucial first step for preventing the behavior. By recognizing what staring means in dog body language, we can empathize with what they’re going through and take the steps to make them feel safe and comfortable.
Additionally, raising awareness by teaching friends, family, and strangers about the importance of not staring at dogs can help create a more comfortable environment for not only your pet, but others as well!
If you need more tips on dog behavior or have specific concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here to help you and your furry friend navigate the challenges of living in a bustling city like Singapore and build a strong, trusting bond.