While you may have noticed your dog wink at you, really, few dogs wink with one eye. It’s certainly possible that a dog may accidentally or momentarily wink at you, especially if he has something in his eye, but it’s unusual.
If you do catch it and can click and reward (a positive reinforcement of the movement), you might be able to teach your dog to wink. Otherwise, focus on your dog’s blink. Many trainers have long recognized the communication significance of your dog blinking at or with you, however.
Research on Dog Blinks
A research study from the University of Parma in Italy reinforces what dog trainers have known. The researchers started by making videos of some lucky dogs staring at toys or treats (I assume the dogs got the rewards at some point!). The videos were edited to show blinking or nose licking (the other sort of appeasement behavior the researchers were studying) occurring every 4 seconds.
Then, a group of pet dogs were drafted to watch the videos (no popcorn). The 54 canine “volunteers” wore heart monitors to check their physiological reactions plus were videoed to see if they blinked in response to the dog on the video.
Some dogs quickly became bored and napped. The dogs who stayed awake blinked about 16% more while watching the dogs on screen blinking than at other times.
The lead researcher, Chiara Canori, an evolutionary biologist, felt that the dogs who blinked more were mimicking the other dog. She said this could be an unconscious response as opposed to intentional “synchronized blinking.”
Interestingly, the dogs did not respond to the nose licking with licking of their own. They tended to show more of the whites of their eyes during that activity. That is a behavior commonly associated with strong emotions, but these dogs stayed quiet. Another conundrum for behaviorists.
Slow Blink to Your Dog
Now, those of us who survived long novice obedience stays across the ring, and even today with our shorter distance stays, have often used a slow blink to communicate to our dogs that we are still connected. We’re communicating that we are still in this together. This research supports what we have done somewhat intuitively. Blinking may be part of dog language. They’re communicating a calm, relaxed “we are here together” relationship.
The slow blink could also be used with strange dogs or when meeting new, nervous dogs. I believe it’s important that we use a slow blink. A rapid blink conveys fear and concern, like the flight reflex about to go full bore. A slow blink, coupled with relaxed posture, conveys calmness and support.
I do a slow blink with my dogs in potentially stressful situations, sometimes even if they are at my side. They often return that slow blink. To be honest, I think it calms me, whether it helps them or not. It is certainly a simple and easy calming technique to try with your own dog.
