Puppy cuteness overload incoming with this gorgeous TikTok clip. A patient chihuahua mom tolerates some ear chewing from her little pup. But the side eyes say it all! Read on to learn more.
Chewy Pups
Pups will chew just about anything that they can get into their mouths. When they do this, it is called ‘mouthing’ and is perfectly normal behavior. It is their way of exploring the world around them. A mom dog will happily issue a correction (a quick snap) if the pup gets a bit too rough. At the moment, however, she seems content to put up with it.
Have you ever been on the receiving end of puppy side eye? It’s the way dogs have of looking at you from the side. It’s also called the ‘shady gaze’ or the ‘half-moon eye’ and is the subject of thousands of memes. It occurs when the iris (the colored part of the eye) swivels to one side, revealing the white part.
Why Dogs Give the Side Eye
Pups give the side eye to avoid confrontation.
©iStock.com/Olga Chetvergova
There can be several reasons for a side eye look. It is often accompanied by other body language, such as flattened ears and a slight turn of the head. Some dogs do it as a way of avoiding direct eye contact, which is considered more threatening among dogs. It is their way of signaling that they are not doing anything wrong—even if they suspect otherwise.
You may also see this look when dogs are being territorial or protective, and when they are resource guarding a favorite toy or something that they have taken from you. Be cautious when you see the side-eye in this context, as it can precede a snap.
Interestingly, dogs are among the few animals, aside from humans and some primates, that often have a visible white part of the eye called the sclera. In wolves, the sclera is usually less visible, and the increased visibility in dogs is thought to be a result of domestication by humans through selective breeding.
