Does a Dog Cover Its Face Out of Shyness?

1 Overview

Dogs and humans both evolve, but many dog behaviors don’t fade with time. Take face-covering, the topic today: what does it mean? It depends on the situation.

1. Wiping the face

Many owners miss this: the paw is the dog’s only tool.

Right after eating or drinking, dogs love to wipe the water and bits off their mouth and cheeks. It’s instinct – if something sticky were on your face, wouldn’t you wipe it off?

Doing it now and then is normal, and some dogs even form the habit – no problem. But if it happens often in a short span, especially after eating or drinking, odds are its eyes are irritated.

2. Emotional reaction

Dogs have few emotions, but they express them by covering the face.

But a dog doesn’t know ‘cover face equals embarrassment.’ Many do it because the owner scolded them when they covered their face before, so they instinctively cover up when scolded – an emotional response.

Some dogs cover their face when praised; it all comes down to the owner’s guidance.

Like teaching a paw-shake: the dog doesn’t know what the shake means, only that it must offer a paw in that situation.

3. Submission

Hold eye contact with your dog; within ten-odd seconds it will look away to avoid your gaze.

A submissive dog avoids your eyes in many ways, and covering the face is one. Of course, with a stray outside, avoid eye contact too – better for you and your dog.

4. Special cases

As noted, if the face feels off, the dog wipes with a paw.

If fleas, mites, or lice are around the eyes, it will wipe that spot to ease the pain and itch.

Blepharitis is the most common eye disease; it makes the dog rub madly. The eyelid turns red, swollen, and itchy; pawing eases the itch but only worsens the disease.

So an Elizabethan collar is important, and follow the vet’s treatment.