Understanding Whale Eye in Dogs: What It Means & What To Do

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Plus, other reasons your dog might give you the side eye

Co-authored by Russell Hartstein, CDBC, CPDT and Devin McSween

Last Updated: May 14, 2025 Fact Checked

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What are whale eyes?

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What do whale eyes mean?

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Signs Your Dog is Stressed

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What to Do

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Are whale eyes always “bad?”

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Final Thoughts

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Whale eyes, or when your dog looks at something from the side and exposes the whites of their eyes, is a pretty common behavior in dogs. This usually means your dog is feeling stressed or uncomfortable, but they might give you the side-eye for a few other reasons. With the help of professional dog trainers and dog behaviorists, we’ll explain what whale eyes are, what they mean, and what to do when your dog gets them. Read on to learn more!

What does whale eye on a dog mean?

According to dog trainer Russell Hartstein, whale eyes are a body language cue that usually means a dog is stressed. When your dog gets whale eyes, they glance sideways and expose the whites of their eyes. If your dog is stressed, identify the thing that’s bothering them and remove it or your dog from the situation.

Section 1 of 6:

What are whale eyes in a dog?

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Whale eyes are when a dog shows the whites of their eyes. Certified dog trainer Russell Hartstein says whale eyes are when your dog looks at something from the side, causing the whites of their eyes (called the sclera) to show.^{[1]
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Russell Hartstein, CDBC, CPDT
Certified Dog & Cat Trainer

Expert Interview} Their eyes are usually focused on a thing or person while their head is pointed away.^{[2]
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American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.

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- Whale eyes are sometimes called half-moon eyes because the whites of your dog’s eyes have a half-moon shape.
- Dog whale eyes look similar to someone giving you the side-eye: your dog is giving something a sidelong glance while facing away from it.

Section 2 of 6:

What do whale eyes mean in a dog?

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Whale eyes usually mean that your dog is feeling stressed or anxious. When your dog looks to the side and exposes the whites of their eyes, they’re most likely telling you that something is bothering them and making them uncomfortable. This could be for a variety of reasons, like a dog or cat is getting in their space, they don’t like how they’re being pet, or someone stole their favorite toy.^{[3]
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The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.

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- Whale eyes are considered an appeasement gesture in dogs, which are behaviors that dogs display when they’re stressed to signal that they’re not a threat. These gestures are thought to help prevent conflict.^{[4]
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- Certified dog trainer Rendy Schuchat says that dogs reveal their emotions and mood through their body language. She advises that you read their body language to understand what they’re trying to say.^{[5]
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  Rendy Schuchat
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- Does whale eye mean my dog will get aggressive? Stressed, anxious dogs can sometimes react aggressively to defend themselves from a perceived threat, says Schuchat. We’ll explain what to do when your dog gets whale eyes to help them calm down in the sections below.
- Whale eyes can be caused by a medical condition, though this is less common. For instance, pain and diseases like glaucoma can lead to whale eyes.

Section 3 of 6:

Other Signs Your Dog is Stressed

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Stressed dogs often flatten their ears, go stiff, and get low to the ground. Your dog’s eyes are just one way that they communicate their emotions. To fully understand what they’re saying, Hartstein says you have to look at the rest of their body language, as well as the situation and environment you’re in.^{[6]
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Russell Hartstein, CDBC, CPDT
Certified Dog & Cat Trainer

Expert Interview}
- Stress signals that often appear with whale eyes:
  - Pushing back and flattening the ears.
  - Licking the lips.
  - Yawning.
  - Freezing up and going stiff.
  - Lowering the head and crouching down.
  - Tucking the tail.
  - Hair rising up on the back.
  - Barking, whining, and panting.

Section 4 of 6:

What to Do When Your Dog Gets Whale Eyes

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Inspect the situation to see what might be stressing out your dog. Look at what’s happening around your dog to see if anything is causing their anxiety. Is loud music playing? Is another dog in their space? Did you get the vacuum out? Are you trimming their nails?^{[7]
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- Figuring out what is bothering your dog helps you determine how best to deal with the situation.
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Remove the stressor or your dog from the situation. Professional dog trainer Elisabeth Weiss advises figuring out how great the stressor is. She says if your dog is “able to focus back on you or they are able to take a treat…that means that the stress is manageable” so it’s probably okay to just remove the stressor or stop any behavior they don’t like. But, if your dog is “refusing any food and any attention, then it's time to remove them from that area and the situation.”^{[8]
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Elisabeth Weiss
Professional Dog Trainer

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- For instance, if you’re at home, take your dog into a calm, quiet room. If you’re at the dog park, calmly and quickly lead your dog back to your car.
- If it’s not possible to remove the stressor, like if a repairman is working at your house, then the best course of action is to remove your dog from the situation.
- While whale eyes don’t mean your dog will get aggressive, it can be a possibility if your dog remains stressed out. Stop anything that might be triggering your dog and calmly and quickly remove them from the situation.
- If any children or other pets are present, remove them from the situation, too. Stressed dogs can react unpredictably and potentially aggressively.
- If your dog is stressed by routine care practices, like trimming their nails or getting bathed, praise them frequently and take as many breaks as needed until they’re comfortable again.
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Give your dog space and redirect their attention to something else. Dog trainer Jaimie Scott says the best thing to do when your dog is stressed out is to “let them calm down on their own.”^{[9]
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Jaimie Scott
Dog Trainer

Expert Interview} Provide them with a toy or treat to distract them, like a puzzle toy, Kong toy, or lick mat, and leave them be until they’re comfortable again.^{[10]
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The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.

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- Praise your dog for redirecting their attention away from the thing that was stressing them out. This can help turn their negative feelings into positive ones.
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Manage chronic stress by setting a consistent routine. If your dog is experiencing chronic stress, like separation anxiety, help them feel more calm and comfortable by feeding, walking, and playing with them on the same schedule each day. Keep stimulating toys around the house and make sure they have a comfortable dog bed to lie on so they can calm themselves down, too.^{[11]
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- Professional dog trainer Ovidiu Stoica agrees and recommends that you walk your dog and play with them regularly to help lower and prevent stress.^{[12]
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  Ovidiu Stoica
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- Train your dog to calm down by telling them to sit or lie down as soon as they start to experience stress or anxiety. This teaches them to control their reaction and calm themselves down.
- According to Stoica, “When a dog’s needs for exercise, activity, and mental stimulation are met, they will be relaxed and comfortable in the home.”^{[13]
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  Ovidiu Stoica
  Professional Dog Trainer
  
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- If your dog is still very stressed or anxious, talk to your vet. They may recommend professional training or medication to help keep your dog calm.^{[14]
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  The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
  
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5
Don’t punish your dog’s stressed behavior. If your dog is showing signs of stress or aggression, refrain from scolding them or getting in their space. This can make your dog feel worse, which might escalate the situation, and actually reinforce their behavior. Instead, speak to them calmly in a low voice, keep your body language relaxed, and give them their space.^{[15]
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The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.

Go to source}
- Don’t force your dog to confront a situation that is making them uncomfortable or scared, either. Respect that they’re stressed out and remove them from the scenario.
- If your dog continues to act stressed or aggressive towards certain triggers, seek help from a professional dog behaviorist or trainer to modify their behavior.
- If your dog’s stressed or aggressive behavior is new, visit your vet. Dogs can grow stressed or aggressive when they’re in pain, so a medical condition may be the cause of their behavior.^{[16]
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Section 5 of 6:

Are whale eyes in dogs always “bad?”

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No, whale eyes can mean your dog is excited or just looking around. Whale eyes don’t always indicate negative behavior in your dog. Lots of dogs give the side eye when they want to play—you’ll likely notice them grabbing a toy and dipping into a bow (pressing their chest to the ground and raising their bottom in the air). It’s also possible that they’re just checking out what’s going on around them.^{[17]
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The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.

Go to source}
- As always, check out your dog’s other body language to see how they’re feeling. Certified dog behavior consultant Dee Hoult says happy, playful dogs usually have a loose body, relaxed eyes, and a lower tail that is wagging in broad strokes.^{[18]
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  Dee Hoult
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- Some dog breeds simply have features that cause them to show more of their eye whites, regardless of how they’re feeling. For instance, brachycephalic dogs, or dogs with short snouts, may get whale eyes more often (like pugs, bulldogs, and boxers).

Section 6 of 6:

Final Thoughts

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Whale eyes usually mean that your dog is feeling stressed out. When your dog exposes the whites of their eyes and displays other stressed behavior, like flattening their ears and licking their lips, they’re usually telling you that something’s bothering them. To help them feel happy and comfortable again, stop the thing that’s stressing your dog out or remove them from the situation so they can calm down.
- Understanding and reading your dog’s body language is an important skill that helps you attend to your dog’s needs and keep them happy. As a plus, it also helps you trust each other and strengthen your bond.