Dogs are known to amplify their cuteness just at the right time. They do this to get more treats and kibble, to solicit a nice belly rub, or sometimes, to make their human feel better. As to these dogs’ chosen trick in leveling up their cuteness, they mostly rely on those notoriously heart-melting “puppy dog eyes”. This cuteness phenomenon is so widespread among domesticated canine that researchers have been conducting studies to once and for all know whether those puppy eyes are real or simply imagined by overly enthusiastic dog parents.
The puppy eyes phenomenon happens this way. Your dog makes their eyes open wide, makes their eyebrows raise, and soon enough, makes your heart melt. According to a recent study that employed a coding system called DogFACS, there is significant increase in the frequency of these facial expressions when humans are actually attentive to them. While previously considered to be no more than reflexive facial movements, now more data point toward them as actual and conscious canine responses in the presence of humans. This is somehow related to and supportive of previous findings about how dogs vocalize more when their owners are around.
Dog owners would always vouch on their pup’s characteristic facial expressions, which are purportedly used in specific situations. There’s no contesting this claim. Whether these expressions are voluntary as opposed to mere emotional reflexes used to be the bigger mystery. Recent research supports the principle that these doggy expressions are active and are possibly real efforts to communicate.
Another interesting finding from the research is how these facial expressions remain unchanged even without treats or kibble. The only determining factor for when these expressions are turned on is human attention. In short, if your dog knows you are looking at them, chances are they’ll showcase their puppy eyes to your heart’s content. This should be enough to flatter dog owners from all over the world. Apparently, they are more exciting and interesting to their dogs compared to treats or kibble. And that while these treats and kibble are enough to excite a hungry dog, they are not enough to make them exude all the cuteness tricks up their sleeves, or dare we say, up their face.
This study is quite exciting for dog owners. It is another step closer to understanding if dogs are indeed trying to communicate with their humans, and, if yes, how. Despite existence of data such as how shelter dogs prone to showing their puppy eyes are rehomed faster, there’s still so much that needs to be done in this area of study. We still have a long way to go in our effort to fully understand our canine’s communication style.
Meanwhile you can rest assured that your dog loves having you around. Their consistent use of the puppy eyes in your presence should be enough to convince you of their love and dedication. Hopefully sooner we’ll get to know more about their other habits as well. For instance, what exactly is your dog trying to say with insistent wagging of their tail?
