Whale Eye in Dogs: What Does Whale Eye Mean in Dog Communication?

Have you ever caught a dog giving you that side-eye where you can see the whites of their eyes? Well, that’s what we call "whale eye". It’s a fascinating, albeit concerning, aspect of dog body language that reveals how they're feeling.

Dogs are highly attuned to social cues, responding appropriately to human and canine facial expressions, vocalisations of emotion, and the scent of their caretakers. During these moments, their limbic reward system shows significant activity.

What is Whale Eye in Dogs?

Whale eye in dogs is when you can see the whites of their eyes, known as the sclera. You will mostly notice this behaviour in agonistic and stressful situations for a dog, and when they're feeling anxiety and discomfort.

It's not just a quirky expression a dog may give, it's a clear sign that the dog is trying to tell you "I'm uncomfortable" or "Something's wrong". Think of whale eye as happening similarly to when we tense our foreheads causing wrinkling when we're overly focused, stressed, or feeling argumentative - this tensing causes our eyebrows to lift and widens our eyes, just as a dog does.

Why Do Dogs Show Whale Eye?

Dogs are incredibly perceptive of their environment and for us as observers, their body language is a window into their emotional state. Whale eye can pop up in a variety of situations, like when our pups are feeling threatened, cornered, or just plain stressed out. We've listed some of the most common triggers below.

Stressful Situations

Just like humans, dogs can become stressed in foreign environments. A new space with unfamiliar faces, or even loud noises (or situations they've never come across before), can result in your pup displaying whale eye.

Fear and Anxiety

Does your dog react negatively to thunder or fireworks? Well, scenarios like these, or even separation anxiety, can cause your pup to display whale eye, indicative of their discomfort.

Aggressive Encounters

Other dogs are one of the major causes of whale eye. When faced with an unfamiliar, reactive, or aggressive dog, or even a grumpy feline, your pup might resort to whale eye as a way of saying "Go away!"

Overstimulation

Whale eye can occur when dogs are playing. Too much excitement during playtime and over-arousal can cause whale eye when your dog reaches its limit and needs to signal that he or she needs a break.

Recognising Whale Eye in Dog Behaviour

Sometimes we need a little bit of extra help in identifying our dog's body language. To spot whale eye, look for the following signs:

Wide-Eyed Look

Your dog's eyes appear larger than usual, with the whites clearly visible, and additional tautness in their forehead skin.

Sideways Glance

Dogs will often turn their head slightly away while they're keeping their eyes on the trigger. Again, they will be displaying larger-than-usual eyes, with the whites generally visible.

Tense Body Language

As we all know, when dogs are uncomfortable, they will often have a stiff posture, with or without raised hackles, or a tucked tail accompanying their whale eye.

Dog Whale Eye vs. Normal Eye

It's important that you understand the difference between a dog's whale eye and their normal eyes. Under standard conditions, your dog's eyes should appear relaxed, with minimal sclera visible. In contrast with this, a dog showing whale eye will have a tense, wide-eyed look, often accompanied by other indicators of discomfort or stress.

Addressing Whale Eye in Dogs

Have you noticed your pup frequently displaying whale eye? Well, it's essential to address the root cause of why your dog is uncomfortable.

Create a Safe Space

You must ensure that your dog has a comfortable, quiet area to retreat to when they're feeling overwhelmed. You can read our blog Creating a Safe Home Environment for Reactive Dogs for additional tips about creating safe spaces for your pup.

Gradual Desensitisation

Training is important when attempting to make your pup more comfortable in foreign situations. Slowly expose your dog to a stressor in a calm and controlled manner, rewarding their calm behaviour. If your dog begins displaying stress signals, take them further away from their trigger.

Positive Reinforcement

You should use praise and treats to reinforce positive experiences and reduce anxiety. For additional resources on positive reinforcement, check out our post on the Best Positive Reinforcement Training Books for Dogs.

Seek Professional Help

If you're struggling to identify your dog's triggers or their stress indicators, don't hesitate to consult a veterinarian behaviourist or a professional dog trainer when dealing with whale eye. Professionals can offer tailored advice and training techniques to suit your situation.

Conclusion: Understanding and Helping Your Dog

We understand that seeing your dog display whale eye can be a bit unnerving, but it’s their way of communicating with you.

By paying close attention to this behaviour and other body language cues, you can better understand your pup's needs and help them feel more safe and secure. Remember, a happy dog is a healthy dog, and spotting signs like whale eye early on and addressing the root cause can make all the difference in their wellbeing.