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Were there times where your pooch surprises you with a big goofy grin? No doubt it had led you to wonder if dogs smile. Scientific studies now show a clue what this dog body language is trying to tell you.
There is more to it than a smile
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), if a pooch is content, then he will have a relaxed body language. It is usually characterised by relaxed facial muscles that would make his mouth open and the corners of his mouth will turn upwards. And there you have it—a dog’s smile.
However, body language is harder to decipher on animals than it is on humans. A misinterpretation of a dog’s body language can end up in a disaster, and decoding dog behaviour can prove to be a tricky one. According K.C. Theisen, Humane Society of the United States director of pet care, the characteristics of a dog’s smile do not necessarily mean the way people think of a smile.
She cautions not to be too assured that a dog’s smile immediately equates to happiness or relaxation. “Learning what dog’s body language can tell you is super important since a dog ‘smiling’ may or may not be approachable and friendly,” she adds.
On the other hand, recently, there has been a growing field dedicated to animal happiness studies or “positive emotions” as scientist calls it. Although happiness is difficult to define, experts suggest that if an animal has a repetitive experience, it can lead to happiness. So, if your pooch is used to enjoying your company whilst out on a walk, you must carefully observe because he might flash you a smile!
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Working Their Charms
It appears that dogs’ past experiences and ancestry have taught them how to charm people just by using their smile. Dogs have learned this adaptive behaviour by observing their pet owners’ reactions when they laugh or give treats. They understand that it is a result of positive feedback relating to their good behaviour.
According to Kim Brophey, a canine behaviour consultant, we typically see smiling as a peacemaker and deflector of conflicts and it also facilitates bonding. Pooches commonly utilise adaptive smiling behaviours as a social skill and expression of emotion.
Another plausible scientific explanation behind smiling dogs is neoteny. It is the preservation of juvenile behaviours throughout adulthood. Dogs, especially juvenile ones, are prone to have highly adaptive behaviours relating to ritualised and emotional greeting behaviours such as jumping, vocalisation, licking, and tail wagging. This adaptive behaviour is highly influenced by genetic domestication.
Submissive Grins
A submissive smile is commonly characterised by a low hanging tail, eyes glancing to the side, laid-back ears, and a hoisted paw. The pooch will also exhibit a relaxed body posture as he does it. If you ever see your dog do this and you want to take a photo, you might want to do it as fast as possible as it can be a fast-paced and exaggerated movement.
Submissive smiling is a rare hardwired behaviour that dates back to the canine’s previous wild and ancestors. Canines were believed to descend from a single species of wolves that inhabited Northern Europe more than ten thousand years ago.
Wolves are known to have a strong and secure structure with an evident hierarchy because they are pack animals. In order to ensure their survival, these canines classified themselves as either dominant or submissive and rely on various ranges of behaviours and cues in order to convey it.
Their Own Version of a Smile
