Short answer: usually your dog is trying to tell you something, or waiting for you to tell them something. Look at the whole dog before you decide what a stare means.
What the AKC says
The AKC says there is no one-stare-fits-all answer, but most of the time dogs are either communicating with us or waiting for us to communicate with them. Dogs read us for information about what is going to happen next. A stare can also be learned: if the dog gets a bite of food for staring, they will do it again.
A hard stare is different
The AKC says staring can express both positive and negative emotions. A hard stare with other tense body language is a warning sign, and it advises asking for help if you see it. PDSA adds that dogs do not stare lovingly back the way people do. See dog body language.
What to do
If the stare is for food, see begging at the table. If your dog stares and then goes stiff, create distance and ask for help.
Get the right help
If a stare comes with growling or stiffness, ask a qualified, reward-based behavior professional.
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Sources
Sources & care notes
Frequently asked questions
Why does my dog stare at me?
Most often they are communicating, or waiting for you to communicate, reading you for what happens next.
Is staring always friendly?
No. Staring can carry both good and bad feeling, so the rest of the body decides the meaning.
What is a hard stare?
A fixed stare with tense body language. That is a warning sign, and it deserves distance and help.
What if the stare is about food?
That is begging, and it has its own playbook. Reward looking away instead of the bowl.
