Animals seem to have a good sense for detecting immature individuals of other species and seldom see them as a threat, though there are exceptions. It is not uncommon for immature animals encountering other immature animals to play together if they are otherwise content and well fed, because they are not yet experienced enough to know about the other species to be afraid or exhibit the fear or tension that might otherwise trigger a defensive attack.
But if an adult human or a dog had approached that fawn, the doe would likely become nervous and call her fawn to her or might even become defensive, especially if the human was afraid for her child’s safety, or the dog too bold. It’s hard to hide those chemical signals we send when we are anxious from animals, especially wild animals, and we never know how the animal will interpret or misinterpret them. This is why if you have any anxiety at all [or too much excitement] when encountering an animal, it is best not to approach them. It is imperative that when dealing with animals that you be alert but very calm. And if you have dogs you need to be aware that their scent is on you and your kids and a deer could detect that and consider you or your kids a threat to their fawns even if you are calm.
Good post, but best summed up: No one can predict an animals
behavior.