Whenever you notice your dog is giving an unusual stare to you or fixed on something else, you suspect something abnormal has happened to your canine pal. If he is directly looking at you with a fixed gaze, it appears funny at first, because dogs are well known for their unique and cute behaviors. It must not be left unattended. The first thing you have to do when you observe such behaviors is to determine and evaluate the causes and reasons behind them. After knowing the reason, you can fix the issue. This comprehensive article will dissect the dog eye side problem and provide possible remedies for dealing with such issues, so keep reading this if you are a dog owner and in need of guidance for such problems.
What exactly is a dog-side eye?
When the white part of the eye becomes visible clearly and the inner or outer side attains a half-moon shape, the head becomes backward tilted; this is called the side eye. This is also referred to as whale eye; due to the shape of the sides of the eye, it is also known as half-moon eye.
Dogs are well-reputed to communicate through body language, gestures, and facial expressions; the side eye is one of them, which definitely conveys something meaningful.
The side eye is when you witness your dog having a focused gaze on something or someone with a head tilted away; this is a sign that something is bothering your friend, or your dog is surprised. Give heed to this serious matter and try to resolve it yourself, or otherwise take it to a trained veterinarian or pet specialist; he or she will examine and accordingly recommend a possible treatment plan to get rid of this unusual behavior.
Reasons behind dog side eye:
There are numerous reasons why dogs give side eyes, ranging from innocuous surprise to serious medical conditions that compel them to behave in such a manner. Here we will discuss thoroughly the reasons by giving tips and tricks for prevention.
Unhappiness or displeasure:
If dogs have unpleasant and unhappy experiences, they often show side-eye. If your dog is feeling down and avoiding moving or doing physical activities, he shows these signs. In such situations, leave them for a while, and that condition subsides on its own without requiring technical support. One thing to remember during this period is not to come too close to dogs because when they are under some psychological pressure, they might show aggression.
Reaction to newly introduced things:
Dogs are curious and often show prompt responses to stimuli and other newly introduced things in their surroundings. For example, when they notice a vacuum cleaner in their surroundings, they stare at that machine and often move here and there, trying to see all parts of that thing. When they see a running vacuum cleaner, they accompany and show a side-eye in surprise. These are reasons that have no serious consequences, and as they become familiar with those things, these behaviors will go away on their own.
It may be due to confusion:
Any confusing situation or dig is unable to get something clearly makes the dog give side eye and gaze. When a dog is confused about things around it, or there is a crowd, hustle, and bustle, and dogs don't know what is happening in such cases, they behave in this manner.
It is a sign that your dog wants attention.
When, due to a busy schedule, you are unable to give due time to the dogs, they sometimes show signs and gestures that convey the message that they are attention-deficient, and they are in need of your affection and petting. Dogs are sociable creatures and want to spend time with humans by playing games and involving themselves in activities that are fun for both them and their owners or attendants. If they feel sidelined, they seek attention by giving side eyes and other gestures. In such cases, you must pay attention to gestures and spend time with your furry pals so that they consider themselves attended.
Anxiety or stressful environment:
If your dog is experiencing stress or anxiety originating either from noise, unfamiliar places, or due to some psychological conditions, they might give a side-eye. Stressful situations make them behave in an unusual fashion that demonstrates that there is something bothering the dog.
Change of environment:
When dogs are displaced from their familiar environment and shift to an unfamiliar environment, they get surprised and give a side eye, which is their first reaction after encountering a new or unusual environment.
Safeguarding resources:
Dogs take a side eye to guard their resources like toys, eating utensils, favorite spots, and even favorite people when they perceive that there is a threat to these resources. This behavior shows the possessiveness of dogs.
Feeling threatened:
When dogs feel cornered, they respond by showing abnormal behaviors like side eyes. Small living spaces could be the reason that makes them stressed out and aggressive, and something that threatens dogs’ results in such behaviors. Threatening situations make them prone to unusual reactions such as side eyes and sudden barking.
What to do when observing a dog's side eye:
When you witness that your dog is giving side-eye or is behaving abnormally, you should act immediately to alleviate the intensity of the problem. Here are some tips shared.
Assessment and examination:
Make a complete assessment of the dog's condition and surroundings; anything that is annoying or compelling them to give a side eye should be addressed. Check the dog's response level, assess mental health conditions, and see whether they like to play or not; these things will give a clue to their health status.
Giving break time:
If the dog is giving signs of discomfort and annoyance, allow them to rest or engage in soothing activities. If they are giving side eyes with other signs of disinterest, set them free to eat, sleep, or move by themselves for some time, which will mitigate the negative pressure on them.
By giving them break time, owners can win the trust and affection of the dogs. Sometimes they don't like external interference, during which they should be provided with a safe and secure place in which they feel better off.
Encouraging treat:
Encourage dogs by offering treats or praise when they are calm and quiet. This can alleviate the aftereffects of stress or anxiety; this paves the way towards returning to normal conditions. It is necessary to give them petting and affection after such episodes; this makes them feel better and more secure.
Seeking veterinary assistance:
If you notice your dog is giving side-eye with other signs such as barking, growling, and hiding, veterinary intervention is warranted. Take your pet to a qualified veterinary doctor to get your dog assessed and examined. A veterinarian, after examination of physical health and also assessing mental health, will suggest a treatment plan for your dog.
Conclusion:
Dogs are sociable and easily get along with owners and other members; for that, they need some time that should be provided. If you witness something unusual and weird from your canine partners, like giving a side eye, try to sort this out immediately so that further complications can be prevented if it is due to some serious reasons.
