Recently, a dog owner shared an intriguing video on the internet that sparked a discussion about canine behaviour. Sammy the corgi was shown in the video mimicking his owner’s head movements while driving. Sammy would follow her movements every time she turned to the right.
Video of the 23rd February went viral with over 782,400 views and 175,400 likes. Some commenters thought Sammy was being cute, but others believed that his head-turning may be more than a simple imitation. The theories ranged from Sammy avoiding eye-contact as a form of submission, to him simply wanting to know what his owner is looking at.
Canine body language: There’s more to it than meets the eye
A commenter said Sammy was trying to avoid eye-contact. “He doesn’t want to make eye contact with you… It’s a sign of dominance. It’s likely that you have shouted at him before in the car, and now he does not want to look into your eyes. Maybe. “I don’t think I know,” the writer wrote.
We need to understand canine behavior in a broader, more established way.
Dogs avoid direct eye-contact to indicate submission or respect, according to animal behaviourists. A direct stare may be perceived as an act of aggression or dominance, so dogs will look away in order to avoid a conflict. The meaning of eye contact or head movements can differ depending on a dog’s breed, personality and context. Herding canines, for example use intense gaze to control animals.
One viewer suggested that Sammy may be trying to avoid eye contact in order to submit, seeing his owner as the leader of his pack. The experts stressed the importance of reading a dog’s body language in order to interpret its actions. Relaxed postures and tail wags can indicate respect. A tense or stressed posture could be a sign of discomfort or anxiety.
The Importance and Other Reasons of Context
Some viewers had different theories. Another comment received 18600 pluses. It said, “I’m sure he is just thinking you need to be seeing something.” Owner replied that Sammy is as protective and curious about her surroundings as shadow.
Another user, identifying as a corgi owner, playfully added, “As someone with two corgis… I just KNOW they’re nosy and want to see what’s happening.”
This case highlights how important it is to consider various factors when trying to interpret dog behavior.
* **Context:** Where is the dog, and what’s happening around them?
* **Body Language:** Is the dog relaxed, tense, playful, or fearful?
* **Individual Personality:** Does the dog generally mimic human behavior?
* **Breed Characteristics:** Are there specific breed-related behaviors to consider?
Instead of jumping into conclusions, it is better to observe the overall body-language of the dog and consider the particular situation. Sammy’s head turning could indicate deference, curiosity or even the playful behavior of his corgi friend.