If you’re wondering what exactly your dog is trying to tell you with their winking, here’s everything you need to know about how dogs wink and what those little flickers of light mean to them.
The Different Types of Winks Dogs Can Do
There are many different types of winking behavior your dog can do, including:
Dogs have evolved to be able to communicate very well through body language, and one of the most important ways they do this is by blinking.
A lot.
As we’ve mentioned before, dogs blink quite often, and sometimes it’s because they’re tired, but other times it’s a more complex communication method.
Whether it’s an attempt to get your attention, tell you something, or show you what they want, there are many different reasons why your dog will wink at you.
Wink To Get Attention
A common reason for your dog to wink at you is when they want you to pay attention to them.
They’ll usually try to get your attention by blinking, growling, or giving you a stare.
Sometimes this is a way to ask you to play, but if you don’t respond, they may interpret it as a request to stop whatever they were doing and come over to you.
It’s not unusual for dogs to give each other winking signals to let each other know they’re safe to approach, so it’s possible your dog was trying to tell you he wanted to play, but was afraid you’d leave him alone.
Wink To Tell You Something
Another common reason for a dog to wink at you is to tell you that they want something from you.
Whether it’s food or attention, your dog will use their eyes to make clear what they want from you.
For example, if you go outside and leave your dog inside without any food, they will probably start looking around to see where you went.
When they find out you left them behind, they’ll probably start whining and wiggling their tail, which is a signal that they want you to bring them some food.
They’re also likely to give you a wink when they want to be petted or cuddled.
This is another way they can communicate their needs, and it’s easy to imagine that winking at you might be a way for them to communicate that they’re happy to be near you.
If you think your dog is trying to tell you something, pay attention to what they’re saying.
Maybe they’re asking you for something simple, like a treat or a hug, or maybe they’re telling you something more complicated, like they want you to walk them.
They’re also capable of sending emotional messages through their eyes, especially when they’re feeling stressed or frustrated.
For instance, if they’re having trouble sleeping, they may blink more frequently than usual.
This doesn’t necessarily mean they’re upset though.
Instead, it’s a way for them to express their emotions to you.
If it’s dark and they can’t sleep, they may blink to try and get your attention so they can wake you up and talk to you.
What Your Dog’s Winks Might Mean If…
Let’s start by talking about why dogs wink at all.
It turns out that many breeds of dogs have a tendency to do this — even though it seems counterintuitive for a creature who spends most of its time looking straight ahead.
There are two reasons behind this behavior.
The first has to do with vision.
When dogs blink, it helps them clear their eyes of dust, debris, and other foreign objects.
Blinking also reduces dryness and irritation around the surface of the eye.
The second reason for canine blinking is more related to social interactions.
When we humans blink, our eyelids can serve as a way to signal our emotions to others.
This is especially true when we’re feeling nervous or stressed.
Dogs have a similar ability.
Their eyelids can act as a way to communicate information about their emotional state to other animals, including humans.
So when your dog blinks, it’s not necessarily because they want to make direct eye contact with you (although some dogs will often try to do so).
Instead, it’s a subtle way of sending an emotional message to another animal.
On top of that, it can also help dogs relax after a stressful day.
“Wink” is one of the most common ways people describe this behavior, but there are actually several different types of blinks that can occur.
One type is called “wet-dog blink,” which is when a dog licks its nose or tongue while blinking.
In addition to wet-dog blinks, there are also dry-dog blinks, which only occur when a dog is licking itself.
Dry-dog blinks are much rarer than wet-dog blinks, but if you find yourself scratching your dog’s head while it’s licking itself, that could be a sign of dry-dog blinks.
A third kind of blink is known as “licking blink.”
This is when a dog does so without actually licking anything.
Licking blinks are usually accompanied by a yawn or stretch, and they’re very common in dogs who spend a lot of time indoors.
Finally, dogs can also blink in response to a situation that causes them stress.
For example, if a dog sees a cat, it might blink to show its fear or aggression toward the cat.
However, there are certain circumstances where a dog may perform a blink that doesn’t seem quite right.
How to Interpret Your Dog’s Winks
Dogs don’t always think the way we do, so when they start winking at us (or wagging their tail), it can be difficult to interpret their meaning.
Here’s everything you need to know about why your dog is winking at you.
Wink 1: A quick glance
Wink 2: The “eye blink”
Wink 3: Asking for attention
Wink 4: An eye infection
Wink 5: A sign of stress
Wink 6: Anxiety
Wink 7: Toilet training
Wink 8: Toilet training
Wink 9: A warning sign
Wink 10: A warning sign
Wink 11: A warning sign
Wink 12: A warning sign
Wink 13: A warning sign
Wink 14: A warning sign
Wink 15: A warning sign
Wink 16: A warning sign
Wink 17: A warning sign
Wink 18: A warning sign
Wink 19: A warning sign
Wink 20: A warning sign
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Wink 22: A warning sign
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Wink 24: A warning sign
Wink 25: A warning sign
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Wink 27: A warning sign
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Wink 30: A warning sign
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Wink 33: A warning sign
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Wink 35: A warning sign
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Wink 60: A warning sign
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Wink 70: A warning sign
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Wink 100: A warning sign
Wink 101: A warning sign
What to Do If Your Dog Starts Winking
Wink means different things to different people.
Some think it’s an expression of love while others see it as a sign of aggression.
In either case, it’s important to understand the meaning behind your dog’s winking so you know whether your behavior is appropriate for your relationship.
Here’s what you should do if your dog starts winking at you.
Take note of when your dog starts winking.
Pay attention to how often your dog winks.
Look for patterns in your dog’s winking behavior.
Ask your vet if there’s anything abnormal going on with your dog’s eyes.
Let’s look at each of these points in more detail.
Training Your Dog to Wink on Command
Before we dive into the reasons why your dog might be winking at you, let’s talk about training your puppy to do so.
All puppies start out winking when they see things they don’t understand.
This is normal behavior for young pups, but it can become annoying if your dog does this all day long.
To train your puppy to stop winking, first teach him to sit before he learns how to lay down.
Once he sits, give him a treat and praise his good behavior by saying “good sit,” then say “no more winking.”
Once your dog understands that winking means getting a treat, try using different commands to get him to blink instead.
Try saying “wink” followed by a command such as “sit,” “stay,” or even “down.”
Keep in mind that winking is a form of communication for dogs, so if you want to use it as a way to communicate with your pup, you should keep in mind what kind of message you’re sending him when you use these commands.
For example, a command like “sit” implies obedience, while a command like “wink” implies an understanding between two people.
So if you’re asking your dog to sit, make sure you’re addressing him as the person who is doing the sitting, not as someone who is being obedient.
If your dog continues to wiggle around and refuse to obey your commands, they may no longer be interested in blinking.
In which case, you’ll have to find another way to communicate with them.
Fun and Creative Ways to Use Your Dog’s Winking Talent
Many dogs are known for being able to “read” their owners’ facial expressions and body language, so if one of your dogs has started winking at you, don’t dismiss it.
If you think it might be a sign of affection, take the time to get to know your pup better.
The first thing to do when your dog starts winking at you is to observe them for any signs of discomfort or pain.
If you notice anything unusual, check in with your vet.
They may want to run some blood tests to rule out an infection or other health issue.
Once you’ve made sure your dog isn’t ill, you’ll need to figure out why they’re winking at you.
Wink Away Anxiety
One common reason for a dog to start winking at you is anxiety.
This can happen during training sessions, when your dog sees another person for the first time, or even when you leave your home for a few hours.
Anxiety will make your dog nervous, which causes them to blink more frequently.
If you see this behavior, try using a calming technique such as a soft voice, petting your dog, or offering treats to help your dog relax.
Winky Eyes
Another cause of your dog winking at you is boredom.
When your dog is bored, they sometimes resort to playing with themselves.
You might see your dog rubbing their head or scratching their ears while staring off into space.
If you suspect your dog is bored, try giving them some interactive toys to play with.
Or, you can talk to them and encourage them to play with you instead.
Once your dog is distracted, you should be able to stop seeing your dog winking at you.
Do I Need to Be Concerned About My Dog Winking?
There are many reasons why your dog would start winking at you, including boredom, anxiety, and a simple case of puppy mischief. But if you’re concerned, contact your veterinarian. If your dog is experiencing symptoms such as excessive blinking, difficulty breathing, or vomiting, you should bring them to the vet immediately.
Hi, my name is Megan Turner and I have worked in a dog’s shelter for four years now. It is truly my dream job, and I see hundreds of dogs every month being united with new owners to give them a loving forever home.
Unfortunately, handicapped dogs are much more likely to be ignored when a family is picking out their new pet. Handicapped pets need more care than non-handicapped pets, so it is understandable why they are often harder to rehome.
