When trying to analyze an animal's body language, each signal must be taken in context. Other body language signals should be analyzed as well to form as complete as possible view of the animal's intent or emotional state. You can generally characterize signs in 3 categories: go, stop and yield.
The avert gaze is a signal is used to increase distance between dogs or any other animal, to show that the exhibiting dog is not a threat and to disengage from an interaction between dogs. This body language signal is often exhibited toward veterinarians and their veterinary team when dogs are handled at the veterinary hospital.
When a dog avert's their gaze, they are asking for personal space. They are asking for you, the dog or any other stimulus to back off. It is a stop signal. The best thing to do when you see this signal is to give your dog space.
The avert gaze is a signal is used to increase distance between dogs or any other animal, to show that the exhibiting dog is not a threat and to disengage from an interaction between dogs. This body language signal is often exhibited toward veterinarians and their veterinary team when dogs are handled at the veterinary hospital.
When a dog avert's their gaze, they are asking for personal space. They are asking for you, the dog or any other stimulus to back off. It is a stop signal. The best thing to do when you see this signal is to give your dog space.
The dog on the left is looking at the dog on the right. The dog on the right is averting her gaze in order to defuse the situation.
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When the dog on the right looks away, the dog on the left feels comfortable enough to look directly at him.
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This dog is averting her gaze only slightly. She is afraid of the veterinarian and is trying to get the veterinarian to back away from her. When the veterinarian didn’t back away, she amplified the signal by turning her head and shoulders away. (see right)
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This dog attempted to gain personal space from the veterinarian by averting her gaze (see left) when the veterinarian continued to walk toward her, she averted her head and shoulders to make the signal more visible. She is fearful and anxious.
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