Clue Corner
Every dog has something to say.
Explore the Clues
Looking Away
A dog's way of politely saying,
"I need a little space."
What is Looking Away?
Sometimes a dog will turn their head or eyes away from something they find uncomfortable, uncertain or overwhelming.
Rather than being rude or ignoring us, looking away is often a polite way of creating a little distance. It's one of the many ways dogs communicate how they're feeling.
Why might a dog look away?
A dog may look away when:
Someone reaches towards them.
They feel unsure about an unfamiliar situation.
They want a little more space.
They're trying to avoid conflict.
They need a short break.
Looking away doesn't always mean a dog is frightened. It simply tells us that it's worth slowing down and paying attention to what they might be communicating.
🔍 What else can you see?
Ask yourself:
What are the ears doing?
Is the mouth relaxed or tense?
What is the tail doing?
Is the body leaning away?
Can you see any other clues?
The more clues you notice together, the better you'll understand what the dog might be trying to tell you.
Remember...
💡 One clue never tells the whole story.
Looking Away is just one clue.
Always look at the dog's whole body, the situation they're in and any other clues they might be be showing.
💡 Detective's Tip
🔍 What else do you notice?
Before deciding how a dog might be feeling, see if you can spot three clues, not just one.
Whale Eye
Can you see the white of the dog's eye?
What is Whale Eye?
Whale eye is when you can see the white part of a dog's eye (the sclera).
It can sometimes be a clue that a dog is feeling uncomfortable, worried or uncertain about what's happening around them.
🔎 What might this clue be telling us?
A dog may show whale eye when they are:
Feeling uncertain or uncomfortable.
Watching something they don't fully trust.
Trying to avoid conflict.
Feeling worried about being touched or approached.
Unsure about what's going to happen next.
Whale eye is often seen together with other clues such as looking away, lip licking, a stiff body, or ears held back.
Remember...
Whale eye doesn't always mean a dog is anxious.
Some dogs naturally show more of the white of their eyes because of their facial shape or the direction they're are looking.
That's why it's important to look at the whole dog, not just one clue.
💡 Detective's Tip
One clue never tells the whole story.
Some dogs naturally show a little more white around their eyes because of their facial shape, the direction they're looking, or the angle you're viewing them from.
That's why detectives never rely on a single clue. Instead, look at the dog's whole body and the situation they're in before deciding how they might be feeling.
👅 Lip Licking
What is Lip Licking?
Lip licking is when a dog quickly flicks their tongue over their nose or lips, even when there isn't any food around.
It often happens so quickly that it's easy to miss.
What might Lip Licking be telling us?
Lip licking can be a sign that a dog is feeling:
Unsure or uncertain.
A little uncomfortable.
Overwhelmed by what's happening around them.
Like they would prefer a little more space.
You may notice lip licking when someone leans over a dog, reaches to pat them, during grooming, or in an unfamiliar environment.
It is often seen alongside other clues such as looking away, whale eye, ears held back, or a stiff body.
👀 What else can you spot?
While you notice a lip lick, ask yourself:
👀 Are the eyes soft or wide?
👂 What are the ears doing?
🐕 Is the body leaning away?
🐾 Is the tail relaxed or tucked?
👅 Are there any other calming clues, like looking away or yawning?
The more clues you notice together, the clearer the picture becomes.
Remember...
Lip licking doesn't always mean a dog is worried.
Dogs also lick their lips after eating, when they smell something interesting, or simply because their mouth is dry.
The key is to consider when the lip lick happens and whether you notice other clues at the same time.
💡 Detective's Tip
One clue never tells the whole story.
Dogs also lick their lips for perfectly normal reasons, such as after eating, when they smell something tasty or because their mouth is dry.
That's why detectives always look for more than one clue before deciding how a dog might be feeling.
🐶 Dr Corgeous' Detective Challenge
Can you spot a lip lick before it disappears?
Watch your dog during everyday moments like grooming, meeting new people or visiting the vet. If you notice a quick lip lick, see if you can find two more clues before guessing how your dog might be feeling.
