Direct Eye Contact with Dogs: A Good Thing or A Bad Thing?

"Why do some dog trainers say that you should encourage your dog to make direct eye contact with you?"

To understand whether eye contact is a good thing or a bad thing it is important to understand our relationship with dogs.

The myth is still circulating that dogs are "pack animals" and that we need to assert our "alpha" status in order to maintain order in the pack. This idea is based on the outdated notion that wolves form a social hierarchy within packs in the wild, and therefore dogs must too.

We now know that wolf packs in the wild are actually comprised of family units, not unrelated members vying for top position. Within this family unit there is usually only one mated pair with offspring and other relatives. Only in captivity can we say that wolves and other animals form a social hierarchy where the term, "alpha" might be appropriately applied. In captive wolf packs, dominance is a dynamic process whereby one or a pair of wolves, male and female emerge to gain mating rights and priority access to resources such as food. Their status as top ranking wolves will last only as long as the pack dynamics support their roles.

The dog training world embraced this wolf model in years past, and still does in some circles, to develop a philosophy and method of training that emphasizes pack leadership and dominance.

But this is a model based on faulty premises. Based on the work of dog biologist, Dr. Ray Coppinger, dogs may not be pack animals at all, but rather opportunistic scavengers.

A study published in the 2009 May/June issue of the Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research showed that dogs are not motivated to assert their dominance in order to maintain their status in the "pack." While dogs may guard their possessions from each other, it is not necessarily an indication of their social ranking.

The term, dominance refers to a relationship between two animals where one animal consistently controls access to preferred resources. Since pet owners control access to their pets' food, walks, toys and car rides, the issue of dominance does not usually apply.

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior points out that dominance asserting techniques, such as rolling a dog onto its back can easily become punishment which is not only ineffective, but dangerous.

In a 2009 study performed at Pennsylvania State University researchers found that staring a dog down resulted in aggressive responses in at least 25% of the dogs in the study.

Clearly, using confrontational techniques such as staring to assert dominance is ill-founded and ill-advised.

In the body language of dogs as well as wolves, direct eye contact in the form of a "hard stare" is a threat. It is usually accompanied by other signs such as a frozen body posture and lowered head, and oftentimes as in the photo at the right, the threat is related to a resource.

So, if staring can elicit aggressive behavior, why do some trainers recommend it?

First of all, there is a difference between staring and making eye contact. Dogs as well as wolves look at each other and humans in situations where there is no conflict or threat display, as any dog owner can attest who has looked into the dark brown or blue eyes of their beloved companion.

When training dogs it is essential that we teach our dogs to pay attention, not because we are "alphas" but because we need their attention to teach other behaviors. Eye contact is fundamental to effective dog training.

That said, we should teach our children to never approach a dog they do not know and avoid looking directly into any dog's eyes. Being at face level puts a child at high risk for a bite should the dog decide the child is challenging him or just annoying and the dog has no perceived means of escape.

Fearful or shy dogs may not be able to make eye contact. They should not be forced since the alternative to escape, which is what they are doing when they avoid eye contact, is attack. A qualified professional trainer can show the owners of a fearful dog how to safely build the dog's confidence and change his emotional response to his environment so that he will be more comfortable making eye contact.

With wild canids, there is no question. While making eye contact under the right circumstances can be a phenomenal life-changing experience, it can also be perceived as a challenge. Don't do it.

To communicate an intent to do no harm when meeting unknown or potentially dangerous dogs or wild canids, humans should avert their gaze.

In behavior modification of fearful or shy dogs, eye contact can be taught as a default behavior. A default behavior is a behavior the dog falls back on when he doesn't know what else to do. In anxiety-producing situations the dog with eye contact as a default behavior will look to his owner for reassurance. This can be very calming and help the dog focus.

Eye contact is an essential foundational behavior for all dogs. For safety reasons however, it is advisable to avoid direct eye contact with unknown dogs, at least initially and especially those that may be fearful or aggressive.

To communicate to a dog the intention to do no harm, avoid direct eye contact and stand, sit or stoop at an oblique angle or parallel to the dog, facing the same direction. It is potentially dangerous to make direct eye contact with wild canids such as wolves and should not be attempted, except as the situation warrants under the supervision and guidance of a knowledgeable professional.