Question: Dash, my adopted greyhound, retracts his lips and shows his teeth when I arrive home from work. It looks like he may be smiling, and his tail and rear end wag vigorously. Still, his teeth are big, so he looks intimidating. When he does this in front of my friends, he frightens them. What’s happening?
Answer: It sounds like Dash is giving you a submissive grin, a greeting that communicates that he is delighted to see you and wants you to know that he doesn’t pose a threat. My childhood collie did the same thing and even squealed as he grinned.
This behavior is inherited and can also be learned. Dash will repeat it more often if you and others reward him with praise and attention. A submissive grin can scare people if they mistake the baring of teeth for an angry snarl. But, snarling is accompanied by a stiff posture, not the wiggly body and wagging tail Dash displays. So, explain Dash’s greeting behavior to your friends before they arrive. With a little understanding, they’ll feel flattered, not frightened.
Ask the Vet is written by veterinarian Lee Pickett, VMD. Send questions to [email protected] and read more at saturdayeveningpost.com/ask-the-vet.
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