Is she smiling?

[alexav]

Without seeing your dog in action, I can't tell you exactly, but it sounds like a "submissive grin". I have worked with two dogs that had a very pronounced "grin" upon greeting. One is a Golden and the other a Keeshond. It is quite comical to see but could be misinterpreted as aggression.

The way you can tell the difference is the body language. A dog that is lowering his head and averting his eyes and "grinning" at the same time is saying, in effect, "Oh, my cherished leader is home and I want to show you that I am still your loyal subject..."

Sorry to anthropromorph, but that IS the message they are trying to convey. ;) It's a whole lot better than submissive URINATION!!! :D

It MIGHT mean that your dog has some insecurities in your role as a leader. Make sure you are using alot of motivation in your training and that you are not losing your temper with her. Just as with submissive urination, this is an attempt to display and reassure the "pack order".

[delila]

This is a kind of odd behavior my delila has recently acquired. It looks and seems like she is smiling. I recently went back to work, and when I return home she is VERY exited and she will wiggle her butt, and "smile". She is actually showing her teeth, but no growling or anything. She did this when she was spayed and I picked her up and the vet said that she "smiles".

What do you all think of this?

She only does it when I come home from work and is super excited...

:)

[shybird]

Oh the doggie smile!!! I remember the first time I saw one..I thought that I was in for BIG trouble, till I saw the tail wagging a mile a minute...I think you have had the dog in question long enough to know if she is showing any aggression or it it is HAPPY TIME. I would think that going back to work and leaving her home along would bring a Huge Smile when you came back....

[Burnsway]

I can't remember the Author of it but "Know How To Speak Dog", has a whole chapter on this. He talks about how a trainer felt really stupid because they almost put an Irish Setter down thinking he was aggressive. They called him as a last resort and he said when he greeted the dog he smiled away and he laughed so hard that the trainer was really embarassed she had never seen this.... :D


I have had the pleasure of meeting many dogs whith "THE SMILE" The first one I was only 7 and yes it looks scary.....roflmao!!!

Sorry to anthropromorph, but that IS the message they are trying to convey. It's a whole lot
better than submissive URINATION!!!

AMEN!!!!!!! We are having to deal with that between hubby and Psyche at the moment...I would rather have the grin too....

[Nancy Estes]

I had a Bloodhound that was a smiler. Talk about a bizarre sight! :D

Nancy

[Carina43]

Such a misunderstood gesture! I had a foster pitbull who did this submissive teeth showing thing once. My neighbors got extremely upset because they thought she was viciously snarling at them.

Make sure you are calm when you get home & greet her so she doesn't get overexcited.

[Burnsway]

Originally posted by Nancy Estes:
<STRONG>I had a Bloodhound that was a smiler. Talk about a bizarre sight! :D

Nancy</STRONG>

OMG!!!! You have any pictures?

We are thinking about getting a Black And Tan coonhound in a few years. I usually only get mixes and rescues but these guys have my eye and I have been researching them a lot.... :D


If anyone ever hears of one needing a home pass along the name..... :D :D :D

But for now my hands are full.....

[delila]

Thanks everyone!! I was pretty sure that this was a doggy "smile" - I just wanted to make sure :)

[mscez]

Burnsway, my daughter has a red bone walker cross (with another hound, can't remember which...) that she would give you!

OMG, Dixie never stops whining!!

[rescues4me]

Oh yes! Some dogs definately "smile"! In Dalmatians, it is very common. Here is (hopefully) a link to a picture of this.... Dally smile
Unfortunately, it is often mistaken as aggressive. As others have stated, though, all you have to do is look at the rest of the body language to know it is not aggressive.
:D Lynne

[rottmommie]

mine smles, he rolls on his back and stretches himself out really long and waits for a scratching of belly, smiling the whole time!
I dont think it means he is afraid of me in any way tho....i think it is his hamboneway of getting attention,and it sure works!