Why Does My Dog Wink at Me? – The Reason Will Shock You
You are sitting on your bed, binging on the TV series everybody is talking about. Suddenly, your dog entered the room and sat at your feet. You call its name playfully and look at him – only to find that your furry pet winked at you. Shocked?
Winking at their owners is a common dog trait. There are various reasons for this behaviour, and in this article, we will discuss a few of them. In case you’re wondering, “why does my dog wink at me?” you’re at the right place. Read below to find out:
Reasons for Dog’s Winking
First, dogs look absolutely cute when they wink at their owner. It is a great way to tell their human parents how much they adore them. Here is the list of the possible reasons for a dog’s winking:
Sign of Submission
In the wild, dogs live in packs. They have an alpha male – the leader of the pack – and all the dogs kind of follow its orders. Some domesticated dogs are inclined towards choosing their “alpha.” And — obviously — since they spend most of the time with their owners, they start seeing them as their leader.
Dogs hold massive respect for their leaders. So, when they wink at you, they are doing this as a sign of submission towards you. Other signs of a dog’s submission to its owner include licking its owner’s face.
Happy Dogs
Those pups who are happy – for whatever reasons – also love to wink at their owners to show their happiness to them. If your dog is playful and full of energy and winks at you, you should take it as a sign for them to show you that they are happy. As the level of happiness increases, the number of ‘winks’ increases too. Make sure that you’re meeting your pup’s demands and needs diligently to keep it happy and content.
They Want Your Attention
Are you not listening to your dog’s barks? Or are you deliberately ignoring your pet which is trying hard to get your attention? Then you must expect your dog to try out some “unique” ways of getting your attention. And what could be more unexpected than some playful winks? Well, yes, your dog may “wink” at you to grab your attention. If in the past, your dog winked at you and instantly received either attention or praise, there are high chances that it would give you a repeat performance.
Imitation
Imagine this: you come home after a long and tiring day at work. Your dog is waiting for you. You playfully pet them and then look them in the eye and wink! Do you have the habit of winking at your dog? Don’t be shy, as this is a common form of expression of love that pet parents adopt to show their affection towards their canines.
In the wild, dogs often imitate everything that their mommy dogs do. So, when they see you winking affectionately, they pick up on it and learn to use the same gesture to show their love for their human parents. If your dog is winking at you to show affection, it means that it has learned it from you.
Eye Problems in Dogs
Even though most of the winking habits of a dog are linked with its harmless behavior, some eye twitches or winks are signs of several eye conditions. If your dog’s winking is “too much,” it may call for medical help. While there may be various reasons for this, we have mentioned one common cause.
Blepharospasm in Dogs
It is a common eye disease that affects one or both eyes of a dog. The signs of this condition are: squinting, twitching, or closing one eye repeatedly – which many pet owners may see as a wink. There are several causes of blepharospasm in dogs, including corneal ulcers. In some dog breeds – Shih Tzus – this condition is common as they are more vulnerable to developing it.
At times, the reason for this condition is a foreign object in your dog’s eyes. Outdoor dogs love sneaking into various things. Sometimes, objects like dirt or a small piece get into their eyes, resulting in constant twitching. If your dog is showing any signs of discomfort, it is best to take it to a vet so that its treatment is started as quickly as possible.
How to Prevent Blepharospasm in Dogs
Prevention is better than cure. To keep your dog’s eyes safe, make sure that it doesn’t rub its face on the ground or scratch its face with its paw aggressively. Also, ensure that your dog is away from work areas where there is excessive dust. Dogs are extremely playful and active, and it will be a bit difficult to rein them in. Just keep an eye on them and make sure they play in a safe environment.
Treatment of Blepharospasm
It is not right to prescribe treatment for your pet without knowing its medical history. In that case, your vet is the best person who should be consulted. Even with the same medical condition, each dog will show different symptoms. Some eye issues are manageable with the help of topical treatments like ointments. However, for some medical conditions, your vet may even suggest surgery – again, you don’t need to get alarmed; if your dog has any signs of eye discomfort, you should consult the vet – no questions asked.
Bonus Tip
How can you tell if your dog’s winking is a sign of affection or distress? The answer is – its body language. Dogs with wagging tails are generally showing their affection towards you. So, in that case, you need not worry and enjoy the moments of your dog showing its love for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do dogs wink intentionally?
Ans: Over the years, dogs have been domesticated, which means that they have adapted to some human traits – and ‘winking’ is one of them. Many dogs do wink to tell their owners that they love them.
Q: Should I consult a dog if my dog is blinking continuously?
Ans: While frequent winking is a sign of affections, dogs who wink continuously may be going through an eye problem. It is better to get them checked by a vet.
Q: Are eye problems in dogs serious?
Ans: A dog’s incontinent winking may hint at some eye problem. Without looking at a dog’s clinical condition, it’s not safe to say anything about any eye diseases. However, as pet parents, you shouldn’t worry and consider getting your pet checked by the vet. With medications and early treatment, your dog will feel better soon. The key is to not delay a vet visit.
Q: Can you train your dog to wink?
Ans: Absolutely! Many veterinarians and dog trainers believe that your dog can learn to wink with some form of training. As mentioned above, dogs can imitate their humans. They can learn to wink at you if you use proper training techniques on them. One of the best ways to get your furry friend trained is through positive reinforcement. Make sure that you give a reward to your dog whenever it winks – during the training.
The Final Word
It is indeed adorable to find that our pets pick up on our non-verbal cues and learn that they are our expressions of love. Then, to make us happy, they imitate them and show their affection towards us.
In most cases, your dog may wink at you to express its affection towards you. However, as we mentioned above, your pup’s behavior may be a sign of some underlying medical conditions. To rule out any such thing, you should get your dog examined by the vet. In the future, to save your pet from any eye diseases, you should keep an eye on your dog’s playing habits and see that they are not harming themselves.
