Communicating with your dog can be done in many ways.
One effective way to communicate with your dog is simply with your eyes.
With a simple look you can encourage or discourage your dog's behavior.
But, before you can do that you need to understand how you dog interprets this eye contact.
Since a dog cannot sense frustration, for example, in a look then you need to understand that sometimes a look could be interpreted as play when that is not the point you are trying to make.
This article will detail a few ways in how your looks can be interpreted by your dog.
You can use this information to better train and control your dog, and also know what to avoid.
First, if you use excessive eye contact or staring, then you could be seen by a follower from your dog.
In their minds, a leader leads, and a follower watches.
While playing with your dog, you obviously will be making eye contact with them.
However, it is important to avoid staring at your dog.
The more that you look at your dog, the less they will look to you for leadership.
However, the opposite is also true.
The less you look at them, the more they will look to your for guidance and leadership.
Second, staring can also invoke a social challenge in your dog.
So, it is best to avoid it if at all possible.
If you give them a direction, then you can position them as you ignore them visually.
If you find while ignoring your direction, then one of two thins could be going on here.
They may be trying to challenge your authority by staring at you while ignoring your direction.
They are just testing you so you do not want to take this is a personal affront.
They are just testing the waters.
If you stare back you are putting yourself on their level.
It is best to just ignore it and reposition them.
If your dog is young, the staring may not mean anything more than they are just new to your training and need more guidance.
They may simply be looking to you for more direction.
Another thing you can do is to completely ignore your dog at times.
Your dog will repeat behaviors that gets your attention.
If they do something you do not approve of, just block your eye contact from them.
This shows them their action is getting less response from you and eventually they will quit the behavior.
Eye contact is crucial in communicating with your dog.
It can be used to teach discipline and teach them appropriate behaviors.
It also lets them know what you do not approve of in hopes that they will lose interest in that behavior and quit doing it.