Dogs use many different facial expressions but some are so small we often miss them. One of the tiniest movements is a blink which might be more important than it seems. Scientists have wondered if blinking helps dogs communicate with each other in a special way. Recently, new research has shown that dogs blink in certain ways when they interact with other dogs. This suggests that blinking could be a secret way dogs send messages or show feelings. Understanding this could help us better understand how dogs connect and communicate beyond just barking or body language.
Dogs might use blinking to communicate, researchers say
According to a report by Earth.com, a research team led by life scientist Chiara Canori at the University of Parma recorded videos of several dogs blinking, licking their noses or just staring at the camera. They showed these videos to 54 test dogs and counted how often the dogs blinked back. The team also used heart monitors to measure each dog’s heart rate variability which shows how the heart adjusts with each beat. The dogs that stayed awake blinked about 16% more when watching other dogs blink compared to watching the other videos. The researchers think this might be a type of facial copying where animals imitate things like yawns, expressions or small movements from others. Thus, now scientists believe that the way humans blink their eyes to communicate, dogs might do that too to communicate and for building bonds with other dogs.Blinking as a social behavior isn’t unique to dogs. Research has found that primates such as macaques change their blinking patterns during social interactions which points to an evolutionary role in how groups communicate and bond. These small, gentle movements often happen during moments of connection and may help maintain harmony within social groups.Interestingly, when dogs watched videos of other dogs licking their noses, they didn’t copy the behavior. Though nose licking is often seen as a calming or appeasing gesture, the dogs in this study didn’t seem strongly influenced by it. However, they did show more of the white part of their eyes when viewing those clips which might suggest they felt some discomfort.
Blinking in dogs linked to emotional awareness, not stress
The heart rate data showed no significant changes during the videos of blinking, nose-licking or still faces. Overall, the dogs remained relaxed which indicated that these brief facial expressions didn’t increase their stress levels. In fact, there was a slight rise in signs of relaxation after the videos ended. This suggests that watching another dog’s face is generally not stressful for most pet dogs. Researchers believe that blinking may be linked to animals’ emotional states and not just a form of communication. Dogs might experience something similar as a small increase in blinking could indicate emotional awareness, showing feelings like calmness, curiosity or mild stress depending on the situation.
Why dog blinks matter in training and bonding
Some dog trainers focus on encouraging eye contact but often overlook the importance of blinking signals. Understanding how dogs respond to each other’s blinks could influence training, socialization and even shelter evaluations.Canori’s team suggests that future studies should explore the timing of blinks during direct play between dogs. They also believe that blinking back might help create a calmer atmosphere in groups. Most dog owners don’t pay much attention to blinking but if it’s a form of communication and ignoring it means missing an important social cue. Recognizing these small signals can help owners better understand their dog’s feelings. A blink might indicate calmness, openness or simply sharing a social moment.Also read: 10 color changing animals that use camouflage for their survival on Earth
