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July 10, 2019

The 'side-eye' says a lot more than you think

The 'side-eye' says a lot more than you think
Dr. Chris Brown
by DR. CHRIS BROWN

Have you ever copped the ’side eye’? Just about every animal is capable of it. And it’s meaning might surprise you…

Tell your dog (or cat) to get off the sofa and chances are you’ll get the ‘side eye’. A classic look where even though their head is facing away, their eyes turn to face you. It’s one of my favourite looks because I’ve always assumed it was their ‘Wait…are you talking to me?!’ face…

Well, research now says it’s actually deeper than that. According to the University of British Columbia, it combines two classic signs of anxiety. Not only are they turning their head away from you, they’re also showing the whites of their eyes; something that’s only done when they’re stressed.

So essentially, the ‘side eye’ is actually their ‘what do I do next?’ face. So next time you see it, make your request even clearer and then reward them with a pat for making the right choice.

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