{"id":136290,"date":"2022-07-11T15:16:12","date_gmt":"2022-07-11T15:16:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-dogs-actually-smile-when-happy\/"},"modified":"2022-07-11T15:16:12","modified_gmt":"2022-07-11T15:16:12","slug":"do-dogs-actually-smile-when-happy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-dogs-actually-smile-when-happy\/","title":{"rendered":"Do dogs actually smile when happy?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_17 counter-hierarchy counter-decimal ez-toc-grey\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"display: none;\"><i class=\"ez-toc-glyphicon ez-toc-icon-toggle\"><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1\"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-dogs-actually-smile-when-happy\/#Do_dogs_actually_smile_when_happy\" title=\"Do dogs actually smile when happy?\">Do dogs actually smile when happy?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-dogs-actually-smile-when-happy\/#Why_do_some_dogs_smile_with_their_teeth\" title=\"Why do some dogs smile with their teeth?\">Why do some dogs smile with their teeth?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-dogs-actually-smile-when-happy\/#Are_dogs_actually_happy_when_they_smile\" title=\"Are dogs actually happy when they smile?\">Are dogs actually happy when they smile?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-dogs-actually-smile-when-happy\/#Why_does_my_dog_smile_when_hes_happy\" title=\"Why does my dog smile when he&#8217;s happy?\">Why does my dog smile when he&#8217;s happy?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-dogs-actually-smile-when-happy\/#Do_dogs_know_when_they_smile\" title=\"Do dogs know when they smile?\">Do dogs know when they smile?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-dogs-actually-smile-when-happy\/#Do_dogs_laugh_smile\" title=\"Do dogs laugh smile?\">Do dogs laugh smile?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-dogs-actually-smile-when-happy\/#Are_dogs_happy_when_they_smile\" title=\"Are dogs happy when they smile?\">Are dogs happy when they smile?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-dogs-actually-smile-when-happy\/#Why_do_dogs_sometimes_look_like_they_are_smiling\" title=\"Why do dogs sometimes look like they are smiling?\">Why do dogs sometimes look like they are smiling?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-dogs-actually-smile-when-happy\/#What_does_a_submissive_grin_mean\" title=\"What does a submissive grin mean?\">What does a submissive grin mean?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-dogs-actually-smile-when-happy\/#Why_do_some_dogs_smile_when_excited\" title=\"Why do some dogs smile when excited?\">Why do some dogs smile when excited?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-dogs-actually-smile-when-happy\/#Do_dogs_smile_if_they_are_happy\" title=\"Do dogs smile if they are happy?\">Do dogs smile if they are happy?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-dogs-actually-smile-when-happy\/#What_does_it_mean_when_a_dog_smile_at_you\" title=\"What does it mean when a dog smile at you?\">What does it mean when a dog smile at you?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-dogs-actually-smile-when-happy\/#Do_dogs_like_you_smiling_at_them\" title=\"Do dogs like you smiling at them?\">Do dogs like you smiling at them?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-dogs-actually-smile-when-happy\/#Why_is_my_dog_smiling_with_teeth\" title=\"Why is my dog smiling with teeth?\">Why is my dog smiling with teeth?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-dogs-actually-smile-when-happy\/#Why_does_my_dog_submissive_smile\" title=\"Why does my dog submissive smile?\">Why does my dog submissive smile?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-dogs-actually-smile-when-happy\/#What_do_dogs_feel_when_they_smile\" title=\"What do dogs feel when they smile?\">What do dogs feel when they smile?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-dogs-actually-smile-when-happy\/#Should_you_smile_at_your_dog\" title=\"Should you smile at your dog?\">Should you smile at your dog?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-dogs-actually-smile-when-happy\/#Do_dogs_understand_laughing\" title=\"Do dogs understand laughing?\">Do dogs understand laughing?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-dogs-actually-smile-when-happy\/#Do_dogs_understand_smiles\" title=\"Do dogs understand smiles?\">Do dogs understand smiles?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-dogs-actually-smile-when-happy\/#What_does_it_mean_if_a_dog_smiles\" title=\"What does it mean if a dog smiles?\">What does it mean if a dog smiles?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-dogs-actually-smile-when-happy\/#How_can_you_tell_if_a_dog_is_happy\" title=\"How can you tell if a dog is happy?\">How can you tell if a dog is happy?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-dogs-actually-smile-when-happy\/#What_does_it_mean_when_a_dog_smiles_with_teeth\" title=\"What does it mean when a dog smiles with teeth?\">What does it mean when a dog smiles with teeth?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-dogs-actually-smile-when-happy\/#Why_does_it_look_like_my_dog_is_smiling\" title=\"Why does it look like my dog is smiling?\">Why does it look like my dog is smiling?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-dogs-actually-smile-when-happy\/#When_a_dog_looks_like_theyre_smiling_Are_they_anxious\" title=\"When a dog looks like they&#8217;re smiling Are they anxious?\">When a dog looks like they&#8217;re smiling Are they anxious?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-dogs-actually-smile-when-happy\/#What_does_a_submissive_grin_look_like\" title=\"What does a submissive grin look like?\">What does a submissive grin look like?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_dogs_actually_smile_when_happy\"><\/span>Do dogs actually smile when happy?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Final Thoughts. <b>Dogs smile when theyre happy and excited. They will also loosely wag their tails, do a happy dance and have relaxed ears when greeting someone they know and like.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_do_some_dogs_smile_with_their_teeth\"><\/span>Why do some dogs smile with their teeth?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Your dog may show its teeth when smiling at you while <b>letting you know it accepts that youre the leader. Its a sign of respect, not of aggression. You can typically tell the difference by looking at your dogs posture. If it is relaxed, then theres nothing for you to worry about.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_dogs_actually_happy_when_they_smile\"><\/span>Are dogs actually happy when they smile?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Even aggressive baring of the teeth can be mistaken by some as a friendly greeting. However, <b>most of the time when dogs smile, they are indeed happy, so its easy to relate that expression to human smiles.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_does_my_dog_smile_when_hes_happy\"><\/span>Why does my dog smile when he&#8217;s happy?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Your dog isnt smiling because they find something humorous. Instead, theyre smiling <b>because they are calm and relaxed and, because of that, one could venture that your pet is happy. Similarly, some dogs will appear to smile if they are showing submission to their human counterparts.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_dogs_know_when_they_smile\"><\/span>Do dogs know when they smile?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A new study indicates <b>dogs can learn to distinguish a smile, even on the faces of some strangers. This ability to learn to recognize smiling faces may have been important to the success of dogs living with humans, the researchers noted in their study.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_dogs_laugh_smile\"><\/span>Do dogs laugh smile?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Dogs are also capable of laughing, and they typically do so when they are playing. Canine laughter begins with the doggy equivalent of smiling but also includes a sound that is much like panting.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_dogs_happy_when_they_smile\"><\/span>Are dogs happy when they smile?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Even aggressive baring of the teeth can be mistaken by some as a friendly greeting. However, <b>most of the time when dogs smile, they are indeed happy, so its easy to relate that expression to human smiles.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_do_dogs_sometimes_look_like_they_are_smiling\"><\/span>Why do dogs sometimes look like they are smiling?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>However, dogs can make their faces appear to smile. This happens when they open their mouths and pull back their lips, letting their tongues lap over their teeth. This dog smile <b>usually occurs in situations when they are relaxed and appear happy, which is why dog owners think it is a smile.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_does_a_submissive_grin_mean\"><\/span>What does a submissive grin mean?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The submissive grin is <b>a tactic dogs use to shut off aggression from another individual, either human or canine. This behavior is commonly seen in greeting situations where the dog is actively soliciting attention in a nonthreatening manner.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_do_some_dogs_smile_when_excited\"><\/span>Why do some dogs smile when excited?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>But this endearing skill is more than just mimicry or an attempt to charm you into throwing the ball around: When a dog smiles, <b>it generally does mean that hes feeling good. A silly smile can also mean that a dog wants to show you hes not a threat, according to the ASPCAs online guide to canine body language.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_dogs_smile_if_they_are_happy\"><\/span>Do dogs smile if they are happy?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>However, <b>dogs can make their faces appear to smile. This happens when they open their mouths and pull back their lips, letting their tongues lap over their teeth. This dog smile usually occurs in situations when they are relaxed and appear happy, which is why dog owners think it is a smile.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_does_it_mean_when_a_dog_smile_at_you\"><\/span>What does it mean when a dog smile at you?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A new study indicates <b>dogs can learn to distinguish a smile, even on the faces of some strangers. This ability to learn to recognize smiling faces may have been important to the success of dogs living with humans, the researchers noted in their study.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_dogs_like_you_smiling_at_them\"><\/span>Do dogs like you smiling at them?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A. It sounds like <b>your dog is displaying an appeasement gesture, called a submissive grin, to show you and others that shes no threat. Submissive grins are a way for a dog to show deference to another individual.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_is_my_dog_smiling_with_teeth\"><\/span>Why is my dog smiling with teeth?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Your dog may show its teeth when smiling at you while letting you know it accepts that youre the leader. <b>Its a sign of respect, not of aggression. You can typically tell the difference by looking at your dogs posture. If it is relaxed, then theres nothing for you to worry about.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_does_my_dog_submissive_smile\"><\/span>Why does my dog submissive smile?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>But its actually a not-so-common behavior called submissive smiling. Submissive smiling is a dogs way of saying, I just met you, but I humbly respect you. They use the submissive smile <b>to communicate to other dogs and humans alike that they are not interested in fighting, they want to be friendly<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_do_dogs_feel_when_they_smile\"><\/span>What do dogs feel when they smile?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Dogs seem to smile more when <b>relaxing, playing, feeling content or greeting someone they know. Dogs dont smile in response to a joke, but they may smile in response to you. Usually, when a dog smiles it is known as a submissive grin. The dogs posture is relaxed and teeth are exposed.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should_you_smile_at_your_dog\"><\/span>Should you smile at your dog?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When you smile at your dog you set off a chain reaction in their body fueled by the so-called love hormone&#8217;oxytocin. A new study has found that <b>smiling directly at your dog makes the dog feel warm and fuzzy, much the same as humans do when someone smiles at us.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_dogs_understand_laughing\"><\/span>Do dogs understand laughing?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Even aggressive baring of the teeth can be mistaken by some as a friendly greeting. However, <b>most of the time when dogs smile, they are indeed happy, so its easy to relate that expression to human smiles.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_dogs_understand_smiles\"><\/span>Do dogs understand smiles?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Dogs are very sensitive to the tone of your voice and so <b>they will soon know if you are laughing at them. They will sense if this is an enjoyable moment. Dogs love to use the play bow in a comical situation and if you are relaxed and laughing, you may get a play bow response from your dog.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_does_it_mean_if_a_dog_smiles\"><\/span>What does it mean if a dog smiles?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>happy<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_can_you_tell_if_a_dog_is_happy\"><\/span>How can you tell if a dog is happy?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Dogs seem to smile more when <b>relaxing, playing, feeling content or greeting someone they know. Dogs dont smile in response to a joke, but they may smile in response to you. Usually, when a dog smiles it is known as a submissive grin. The dogs posture is relaxed and teeth are exposed.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_does_it_mean_when_a_dog_smiles_with_teeth\"><\/span>What does it mean when a dog smiles with teeth?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Signs your dog is happy<\/b><\/p>\n<li>A high and waggy tail. This is probably the most well-known sign your dog is a happy pooch.<\/li>\n<li>Floppy ears. By this, we mean that their ears are relaxed, not tense or flattened against their head.  <\/li>\n<li>Their bodys relaxed.  <\/li>\n<li>Theyre playful.  <\/li>\n<li>They lean in to you.<\/li>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_does_it_look_like_my_dog_is_smiling\"><\/span>Why does it look like my dog is smiling?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Instead, theyre smiling <b>because they are calm and relaxed and, because of that, one could venture that your pet is happy. Similarly, some dogs will appear to smile if they are showing submission to their human counterparts. This relates to the dog being in a relaxed muscular state.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_a_dog_looks_like_theyre_smiling_Are_they_anxious\"><\/span>When a dog looks like they&#8217;re smiling Are they anxious?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Even aggressive baring of the teeth can be mistaken by some as a friendly greeting. However, <b>most of the time when dogs smile, they are indeed happy, so its easy to relate that expression to human smiles.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_does_a_submissive_grin_look_like\"><\/span>What does a submissive grin look like?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Squinting of the eyes, a lowered tail, licking of you or of their lips, and a lower body posturing are all telltale signs of submissive grinning.<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Table of Contents Do dogs actually smile when happy?Why do some dogs smile with their teeth?Are dogs actually happy when they smile?Why does my dog smile when he&#8217;s happy?Do dogs know when they smile?Do dogs laugh smile?Are dogs happy when they smile?Why do dogs sometimes look like they are smiling?What does a submissive grin mean?Why&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"spay_email":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[622],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-136290","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-pet-care"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/136290"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=136290"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/136290\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=136290"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=136290"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=136290"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}