You might have heard the term “whale eyes in dogs” before, but what does it actually mean? The term is originally credited to Sue Sternberg, an expert in canine behavior, and it refers to when a dog shows the whites of the eyes, turning their head away from, but still looking at something or someone.
Whale eye is a sign of an anxious dog. They may be stressed out, frightened, or feeling threatened by someone or something in their vicinity. If a dog is giving you the “whale eye”, it’s vital that you recognise it, as they’re trying to tell you they’re uncomfortable or in distress. From there, you need to identify the cause of their discomfort and manage, or remove it, if possible — either by removing the threat, or removing your dog from the situation.
