Dog behavior expert reveals 4 sneaky tactics your pooch uses to guilt-trip you:  ‘They’re master observers’

Dogs are master observers, explains a dog behavior expert who hints at the sneaky ways the canine companions may be manipulating their humans. People often find themselves giving in to their pup’s demands, be it an extra treat or a detour on a walk, but expert Lorna Winter suggested that it’s no coincidence that dogs tend to have it their way by making their owners cave. Those puppy dog eyes are not sudden but perfectly timed by the dog, and it’s only one of the many tactics a pooch uses to guilt-trip their owners.  

1. The undeniable whine 

Because dogs evolved alongside humans, they’ve become well-versed in their owners’ behavioral patterns. They observe and understand which tones work best with their owners and tend to use them to their benefit. “A puppy’s whine has long been humans’ weakness. Whining started as a survival tool but became an important social strategy later. It’s not emotional manipulation as we would think, but a fine-tuned form of communication—and it works!” explained Winter, who is also the co-founder of a puppy training app, ZigZag. As reported by Newsweek, on Friday, November 14, 2025, dogs influence human decisions by “tapping into our emotions.” 

2. Puppy dog eyes

Behind those puppy dog eyes lies a motive you might not expect. "When your dog holds your gaze with their own soft stare, they’re not just doing it to look cute. It’s chemistry," the expert noted. Holding eye contact releases good hormones like oxytocin in both dogs and humans, turning it into a heartwarming moment that further strengthens your bond. "Dogs have learned that looking at us evokes a strong, emotional reaction… a well-timed stare can be their way of imploring you to take action,” she said. 

Moreover, a 2018 research study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) revealed that dogs have adapted their expressions to attract attention from humans, considering they prefer “baby-like” facial features. Hence, the distinctive eyebrow-raising muscle that makes their eyes appear bigger triggers the nurturing instincts in humans. 

3. Emotional intelligence 

Humans take pride in their emotional intellect, but their furry companions have quietly upskilled themselves at the game. We often hear touching stories of pets adjusting their behavior to fit their owners’ situation. The unique emotional attunement with pets feels heartwarming, but it can sometimes be used in a manipulative way to get what they want. A dog isn’t trying to control everything; it’s usually innocent. “Whether it’s a pitiful gaze, a loud whine, or a happy paw, these behaviors are all part of the lovely partnership we share with our canine companions,” Winter elucidated. Dogs read their owners’ body language to understand the situation.

4. Strategic body language

It’s not a coincidence that you find your dog looking all adorable right under the treat cabinet, hoping to melt you with their innocent head tilts. Dogs assess and observe their owners and adjust their body language to communicate with them. “A dog’s body language speaks a thousand words. They are master observers,” Winter noted. Additionally, it’s more strategic than you may have assumed because a dog will use the learned performance to reinforce human actions advantageous to them. These behaviors are distinctive of dogs and have not been observed in other animals. The study also found that these adjustable behaviors helped shelter dogs get adopted more quickly, per the American Kennel Club.