Many people enjoy holding a dog by the muzzle and looking the animal straight in the eyes.
Some owners feel that their four-legged friend enjoys this type of interaction.
In fact, this kind of eye contact does not help strengthen the bond with your pet.
On the contrary, such an action on the part of a person can be perceived by the animal as an act of aggression.
How Dogs Perceive Eye-to-Eye Gaze
A person who comes close to a dog and starts looking it straight in the eyes may be perceived by the animal as a potential enemy.
It is possible that your pet will have a defensive reaction: there is a risk of attack.
Therefore, try not to make eye contact with unfamiliar dogs.
You shouldn't do this with a pet either. The fact that the dog has known its owner for a long time does not guarantee that the animal will behave calmly.
Even if the dog does not attack, it will be very tense. The situation will be stressful for it. Perhaps the pet will think that they want to punish it for something.
