Our spouses may read body language like eye rolling,
the avoidance of eye contact, loud sighs, and dismissive tone of voice as threats.
Hair standing up, a tail tucked between his legs,
an avoidance of eye contact can all be signs of fear.
A frightened dog may try to escape, may show submissive behaviors (
avoidance of eye contact, submissive urinating, rolling over to expose his belly), or he may freeze and remain immobile.
I think people find some form of solace in the darkness and
avoidance of eye contact.