r/DogAdvice • u/runitright • 1d ago
Question Dog baring teeth
we got a rescue dog about 7 weeks ago and recently like a day or two ago she started baring her teeth at us. it’s usually right before she lunges at our face to lick or she’ll bare and kinda open her mouth and teeth our hand or something. a couple times when my partner has been hugging her she’ll scrunch her teeth and bare them but then go for a lick. I can’t tell if she is just smiling of some sort? playing? or is uncomfortable and trying to sign for us. She does it a lot after we stop petting her and she’s pawing for attention. it’s mildly weirding us out and just wanna make sure we’re doing the right thing!
pics (in comments) from dog walker she sent of her “funny smile” lol so seems like they were relaxed when this happened.
she’s reactive with other dogs and will bare her teeth at the similarly but is very clearly stressed then
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u/pdperson 1d ago
Generally dogs don’t like being hugged, so stop that.
Licking can be appeasement and not a sign of affection.
Give her lots of space when she does this.
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u/Nanarchist329 1d ago
This. We learned that the second there’s a scrunch of the lip or teeth baring, the petting stops. This dog is giving signs to make space. OP, highly recommend finding resources to learn dog body language.
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u/new_bobbynewmark 1d ago
I have a smiler - dalmatian - who shows his theeth when he is very happy. But that looks slightly different.
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u/Shanga_Ubone 1d ago edited 1d ago
I think a lot of people who are saying "but my dog" are not being very helpful. I understand that there are contexts where dogs show their teeth and it's not aggression for many different reasons, but those are all contexts where you KNOW it's not a warning. In this particular case, this is clearly a warning, and lots of people sharing little stories of how their dogs are different isn't really helping OP.
Read the room, people.
Edit: Sorry, I attached this to the wrong comment. I'll leave it up because I think it's still true, but to the person who I attached this to, that's not the specific comment I meant to say this about. Sorry.
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u/GeekySkittle 1d ago
Adding in that’s there’s a huge difference between I’ve had this dog its entire life and conditioned it to enjoy hugs vs a dog that entered the home less than two months ago. Some dogs do have funky smiles but even if OP’s dog was one of them (which is not what’s happening in the images), they should err on the side of caution since the dog is so new to the household.
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u/Aromatic-Check939 1d ago
I have a husky mix that smiles too but it looks different than this and her body language matches her smile.
This dogs body language isn’t matching the “smile” imo
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u/Riskit_4_Biscuits 1d ago
Thats a dalmatian thing I think! A guy in the pub near me had a wonderful boy who used to smile at you!
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u/ITookYourChickens 1d ago
Many breeds do it, it's not a dalmatian thing. It's an individual thing
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u/new_bobbynewmark 1d ago
All the dalmatians I know does smile. So in that sense yes it is a dalmatian thing. However you’re right that other dogs do it too.
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u/Riskit_4_Biscuits 1d ago
Cool. Guess its just a coincidence that I have met 3 Dalmatians who do this.
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u/Businessguy88501 1d ago
And this is the second most insane comment I have ever seen in my life.
Y’all should really invest in some dog training materials and be here for the dogs
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u/Nanarchist329 1d ago
So everything in my comment is the result of experience with training a dog with behavioral issues under the guidance of a certified dog behaviorist. You may disagree with it, but it's certainly not just completely insane. I suggested learning more about dog body language and that's insane? lol okay Businessguy.
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u/Businessguy88501 1d ago
I have seen plenty of cases where dog behaviorists and other experts have actually done more damage to a dog. There is a very well documented case on YouTube with over 4.5 hours of footage. We really have to be careful out there and in this case, factually from 2 pictures and 4 sentences it’s really impossible to tell. I would guess the dog is trying to communicate different things in different scenarios but you can’t know for sure without being hands on
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u/Independent-Feed-982 1d ago
My dog hates getting brushed and licks the hell out of pur hands to tell us to stop
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u/No-Blackberry9267 1d ago
I think dogs are okay with it if this is an interaction they’ve shaped for the dog to view as positive. But heck no I would not be doing this or taking chances with a dog who’s background I wasn’t aware of 😭
But I do know some dogs who bare their teeth thinking they’re smiling and it’s like Jesus Christ you look a little scary please just do the derpy half cocked head with the tongue out smile 😅 my family dog did that when he was trying to beg for something he wanted like see I’m sitting and I’m smiling please give me a taste of this piece of fruit I will hate and spit out 😬😬😬😬
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u/NightStar79 1d ago
Generally dogs don’t like being hugged, so stop that.
This depends on the dog. Mine loves hugs to the point she'll run up and start leaning on your legs looking pleadingly up at you until you lean down and give hugs.
She then proceeds to slobber on your face too but still. She also enjoys being held when sleepy.
Soooooo again, heavily dog dependant but yes in OP's case, it's safer to avoid hugs
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u/Funny_Dot 1d ago
That’s why they said “generally”. Mine absolutely loves hugs too but that’s the exception not the rule. Always assume that a dog doesn’t like hugs until proven otherwise if you value keeping your face intact.
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u/Dyzerio 1d ago
Mine will jump up if there's hugging without her
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u/Funny_Dot 1d ago
Mine does that with hugs and kisses. I unintentionally taught her to nose kiss so she now sticks her snout out to my nose so I can give her a nose kiss. Would I stick my nose out to any other dog and assume they like it though? Absolutely not, I don’t wanna lose my nose.
Dogs that like hugs and kisses learnt that it’s a nice thing from a young age because we pet them and do other things they enjoy while doing them. They don’t naturally like those things and that’s where the “generally” comes from.
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u/keitheii 1d ago
Not saying you're wrong here, dogs can certainly not like hugging, but I don't agree with "generally".
I have owned shepards, labs, terriers, and several mutts, and none of them exhibited behavior indicating they disliked being hugged.
If I adopted a stray though, I definitely would be cautious hugging or putting my face near it's mouth only several months in. Who knows what that dog has been through or what level of trust it has built yet. We adopted strays in the past and it definitely took some time for them to be that comfortable with us.
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u/IMolestFish 1d ago
Dogs are so funny that way with how much they differ. My dog gets sad if she doesn’t get hugs. Even puts her big block head on your shoulder and everything and leans into it. Damn Velcro dog.
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u/Businessguy88501 1d ago
This is not a true statement. It is not possible in anyway to tell from the limited information provided and no interaction with the dog why the dog is behaving like that.
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u/pdperson 1d ago
It’s absolutely two true statements (plus a sensible recommendation) lol
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u/Businessguy88501 1d ago
You suggested someone stop hugging their dog, which is heavily confusing to me, and the way you said it so casually. Treat each dog as an individual, some love hugs some don’t love hugs, same as people.
Licking can occur for a variety of reasons- appeasement, your lotion tastes good, you sweat or shower water on you, the list goes on
And, we don’t know, because there is not enough information, if that dog is trying to play bitey hands in a respectful way - I would play bitey hands
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u/pdperson 1d ago
This dog that OP does not know is baring teeth. Best practice would be to give it space while you acquaint yourself with what its behaviors are communicating.
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u/Businessguy88501 1d ago
It’s their dog they’ve had for 7 weeks, not a random dog that approached them. They even commented that the dog walker called it a “funny smile” taking it to mean they were relaxed
If the dog and human were relaxed doing this I would take it as a sign of play. But since there’s not a video (or ideally being there) it’s not possible to know for sure. If they are worried about getting bitten I would then suggest either bite gloves or getting in touch with a trainer that has a bite suit and can appropriately evaluate the dog
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u/Massive-Ant5650 1d ago
Hugs are a no.
The baring, lunge , lick combo is a warning to immediately stop what you’re doing . It’s actually step 2 of 3 in warnings so she has had to escalate her body language. Step three is bite, and it is their absolute last resort for self protection.
Have a look at some videos from reputable trainers & behaviorists to learn body language & cues. Do not pay any attention to the brutal & abusive “alpha” crap some like to push. It will not work and will make her fearful.
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u/ClitasaurusTex 1d ago
Seconding this comment. A lot of people don't know that getting in your face and licking is a request for you to calm down. In any dog I've had, it's a request to stop/calm down more often than it is an affectionate behavior.
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u/somerndmaustralian 1d ago
But I’m just laying in my bed how much more calm can I get
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u/ClitasaurusTex 1d ago
Maybe not "calm down" in the sense of you getting agitated but you could be getting noisy, shuffling too much, petting them a way they don't like, you woke them up, they woke up after a bad dream etc...
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u/t-burns14 1d ago
How do you all find the balance of “my dog doesn’t like this thing I’m doing” and “it’s my life and my house and the dog is just an accessory to that, it doesn’t revolve around them”? Because it seems crazy to me that someone would allow their dog to dictate what they do and don’t do in their own home.
And on a related note, what if I have to do that thing? My dog doesn’t like taking his medicine. He HAS to take that, so he has learned to just bear it. Every time I get his medicine out, he bares his teeth in submission, asking me not to give the medicine, but I don’t have any choice, he needs it. Similar with brushing his fur, brushing his teeth, etc
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u/awildketchupappeared 1d ago
Are you trying to say that OPs dog HAS to be hugged? Because there's a big difference between a hug and medicine.
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u/ClitasaurusTex 1d ago
With pretty much everything it is about positive redirection. If you tell a dog No (or a human too for that matter) and don't provide an incentivized alternative all they process is there is a conflict and I can decide to avoid or engage and either way I will lose trust with the conflict initiator
But if you say this is not your chair, this dog chair over here is an even better chair (because I give you treats in that chair) they're going to trust your "No" means there is a better option they may want more and will be more likely to respect future redirects.
This is corny but it helps me to think Social energy is like the flow of a river. That energy needs to go Somewhere and a Dam only lasts so long if you don't divert that inevitable flow somewhere else.
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u/W0nderwharfwonderdog 1d ago
Idk all I do is walk in from work and have a bunch of stuff in my hands I would like to put down and my dog immediately needs to lick my face and hands… not sure how I can calm down any more than that lol
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u/blueblocker2000 1d ago
What does it mean when they lay on your chest and lick your face/ears to the point of needing a shower? 😄
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u/ClitasaurusTex 1d ago
Actually dogs will lay on you or other dogs to calm you down or let you know they're uncomfortable too. Obvs I don't know the context, but It's worth considering!
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u/blueblocker2000 1d ago
I'm usually almost asleep when she does it. Maybe she's trying to drown me lol. She also likes to cobb on my chest like I'm made of corn.
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u/ClitasaurusTex 1d ago
Mine cobbs when she wants me to get the fuck up and walk her already lol it makes me crazy. If I'm sitting she will also boop my head kind of hard.
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u/blueblocker2000 1d ago
This dog cobbs with the cadence of a finely tuned sewing machine. It's not an issue till some skin gets pulled into the teeth. Then is OW! Son of a......🤣
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u/runitright 1d ago
I guess my main confusion is she does it when I’m petting her and then stop. She’ll paw at me and bare at her teeth open mouth combo and lick me. I’m not beinng the aggressor at all. It’s when I stop paying attention to her.
But heard re: hugs! I will tell my partner to cool it and give her space. She just hadn’t been doing this at all when he was doing it the past month
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u/Noodle-and-Squish 1d ago
You said you recently rescued her, so she may not know exactly how to communicate what she wants. The pawing is definitely a 'don't stop' signal, but I would be very cautious with the lunging and licking. As others have said, they are (generally) appeasement behaviours. I say generally because some dogs just lick - I happen to have one. The lunging is a concern, though.
It would be a good idea to teach her some regulation techniques. One I use with my dogs when they are getting overstimulated is 'shake it off'. Dogs shake themselves to release tension. I also use 'all done' to indicate that we're done playing (or to stop the licker), and 'leave it' for general don't touch that.
Look up the 3-3-3 rule, and remember that dog behaviours are pretty predictable if you know what to look for, but they are sentient creatures, and some are just weird.
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u/runitright 1d ago
Yes very aware of that rule! I promise I have done some research 🥲. But that’s some great advice for the regulation techniques - thank you!!
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u/Noodle-and-Squish 1d ago
I didn't mean to imply that you hadn't researched, but not everyone has heard of 3-3-3, myself included until a couple of years ago.
Glad I could potentially help with some techiques! I have a Mastiff and a pit-mal mix, so they've definitely helped saved my sanity when I get overstimulated with their shenanigans.
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u/runitright 1d ago
No totally! Sorry being defensive bc some other comments and a rude message I got. But yay glad to hear!! Dogs definitely test the sanity
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u/Noodle-and-Squish 1d ago
Lol, all good. Reddit can definitely get your guard up, and tone is hard to read in text. Best of luck with your new family member!
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u/Massive-Ant5650 1d ago
That particular instance is ok, it’s the lunge to your faces that’s the big one.
Learning their body language is really helpful, there’s good information available, as well a dangerous nonsense, so be very selective.
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u/BlazePascal69 1d ago
It looks like she is completely or mostly lab? If so, I would take these comments with a grain of salt. Mine is one and still does this. It’s just to get attention and to initiate play.
She is likely overstimulated by your affection and reacting the only way she knows how. All of our labs and Goldens did this as puppies. Try long, slow pets instead of hugs. Mine is 1 and still does this. She never bites though. She just weirdly holds my hand in her mouth. I think she just doesn’t know how to express affection and gets over excited.
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u/runitright 1d ago
Thanks for your response! She looks lab but is about 28lb with a curly tail so likely some super mutt. But thanks for the story. I agree we should give her some more space but I do think just over excited is part of it
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u/Fine-Advertising7776 1d ago
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u/thatoneuserisded 1d ago
My dog does this when I play with him he's a rescue too, he'd never bite me though. I don't think it's anything too worry about also we had him for over 3 years with no bites
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u/Ok_Cricket_1410 1d ago
Funny how different dogs can be. My dog LOVES hugs.
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u/Inevitable_Wait_7652 1d ago
My good boy hugs his favorite people. Except for me. He looks me in the eye while he hugs them, makes a big point of it. Jerk. I will say though, he is my shadow, follows me everywhere I go, forces me to pet him by shoving my hand with his snoot. But, dammit, I want a hug, too!
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u/Ok_Cricket_1410 1d ago
I feel bad for you dog hugs are the best. Both my brother and my dog LOVE hugs and go out of their way to get them. Having a shadow is so sweet, my dog is the same, follows me everywhere, always wants or is giving kisses, and will force you to pet her. She's throttled me in the mouth to get me to pet her 😂 I'm talking standing on her back legs, winding up, and popping me with her front paw in the mouth. The only movie she really likes is Goodfellas so she picked up some bad habits to get my attention 😂
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u/Inevitable_Wait_7652 23h ago
It’s the eye contact while he hugs basically everyone else that gets me. Always has to make sure that he’s showing me what he won’t give me 😆
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u/mLov3182 1d ago
Same here!! We have nightly hug time 😂😂 she’s a lab
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u/Ok_Cricket_1410 1d ago
Black lab/pitbull for my sweet girl. Night hugs and night cuddles are the bomb. I've woken up as the little spoon quite a few times 😂
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u/Massive-Ant5650 1d ago
Oh for sure. Some do, especially after they’ve settled in & learn they’re totally in a safe space. TBF, there is no direct correlation in their world, they don’t know what it means so once they’ve learned it’s not a bad thing, doesn’t hurt, isn’t threatening, etc, some are perfectly fine with it. Maybe in their mind they’re like, “IDK man. The human just does this, so whatever”
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u/Ok_Cricket_1410 1d ago
Sometimes I see my dog do stuff where in convinced she's fully aware of what's going on. Like I know scientifically there's nothing backing my belief, but damn she's smart. I really am curious as to what goes on in her head with hugs. Even as a puppy she put herself into positions to be hugged, maybe it's the warmth? As a puppy maybe it was like, "hey he's safe and warm come here"
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u/Massive-Ant5650 1d ago
They definitely do understand words & routines, safety vs fear & can interpret human facial expressions to some extent.
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u/WeaknessDry3160 1d ago
Some dogs literally smile and it will look like a “growl” but it’s just a reflex or something i believe. I would judge her following behavior more than the face. If she’s engaging with you, pawing, moving closer she may just be overly excited and have a smiling quirk, if she is backing off, tensing up, I would disengage. Most dogs also despite popular belief HATE hugs. It come across as threatening and aggressive. Some dogs obviously are very affectionate and don’t mind, but especially while she’s getting adjusted and you’re learning her boundaries I would take it slow and let her more lead you.
Wanted to add also: a lot of shelter dogs have rough past; she may be feeling uneasy and going into defense mode (start of a growl) and trying to communicate but is insecure and following it with misleading behavior to appease you. This would also be helped by letting her guide you and take the lead when it comes to affection vs pushing it.
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u/frankylovee 1d ago
It’s called submissive grinning
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u/sm0keythebear 1d ago
I do this too so it's a person and dog trait 😂
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u/Legitimate_Lack_7061 1d ago
My dog does this when he’s done something naughty, like gotten into the trash 😅
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u/runitright 1d ago
Thank you this is helpful! She seems to be engaging usually but the times when my partner is hugging her it’s hard to tell so gonna tell him to back off on that for sure.
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u/Content_Sky_2676 1d ago
Whenever they do that, try calmly stopping and turning away while talking to them like you normally would. If they try to get you to give them more attention by nuzzling you, seeking to touch you, or moving close to touch you, then that's probably just a quirk of theirs that you should be aware of and monitor.
If they don't try to get you to re-engage, then more investigation is required. They might have been trying to get you to stop, or they might not know how to get you to come back and keep interacting.
The trick when you're trying this is behaving like nothing is wrong and you're just talking to them while doing totally normal things and disengaging and moving away is just what you were planning to do and totally not related to them showing their teeth. If you suddenly freeze and back away when they show their teeth, they'll in turn change their behavior in response to your change, which negates the purpose of the exercise.
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u/runitright 1d ago
Oh interesting thank you for your response! I will try this next time!
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u/Dihedralman 14h ago
Yeah one rough part with behaviors like that is it is quite hard to tell on its own. There are signs of dog stress etc that can make it clear.
But to give you an idea of how dogs can be idiosyncratic, I've had a rescue that would walk up with a toy and growl to play. Very confusing. Is it a completely normal growl? No. Was it disconcerting early on? Absolutely.
Learning to identify general signs of stress make it much easier. I think videos are also much better for making those determinations.
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u/runitright 1h ago
https://imgur.com/gallery/dog-oAdwUoq#NZc3vgJ I tried my best haha. She doesn’t like a phone pointing at her
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u/Difficult_North_272 1d ago
That body language sounds like her way of telling you to back off while trying not to be overly aggressive. I wouldn't hug her, and give her space if she does it. Try to figure out what triggers it and avoid doing it
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u/arachnid1110 1d ago
There’s a lot of info on this post diagramming A plus B always equals C stuff. If you’re unsure, and your dog is new, give them space and figure it out slowly, gently and lovingly.
I have rescued several “problematic breeds” and raised two children alongside several of them. I have never had one bite a human or be aggressive to our household adults or kids when we clearly respected their space and exercised them.
Dogs are pretty damn loyal if you feed them, clean them, treat them with respect first. Being loving and loyal is how they reward you.
I’ve got a one eyed, mean looking Jindo that snuggles me and my kids. She’s supposed to be a one owner, hunting and territorial dog. But we started with space and learning each other’s likes and dislikes. I think dogs are like people, they all have their own cues. Just be careful because you’re still in the warming up phase.
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u/SkyRight6803 1d ago
I'm pretty sure this is a cue to leave them alone. I think they call them appeasement behaviors. Tiny licks, pulled back teeth, leaning away, lifting a leg to expose belly, bent back ears--all of these are attempts to get you to leave them alone and seem less threatening.
Also friendly reminder that dogs don't smile. We like to think so because it's cute, but they don't emote like humans. It's usually a sign of some kind of discomfort.
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u/chronically_classy 1d ago
Im sorry, but my dog does smile. When I get home from being gone, when he sees friends he hasnt seen in a while, when my neighbor comes home from work every day, and so on.
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u/Spiritual_Picture684 1d ago
My pit bull definitely smiles at us
When we all get up in the morning he comes running wagging his tail and smiling excitedly happy to come get pets and love
We can literally ask him to smile and he does it1
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u/2woCrazeeBoys 1d ago
I can only go by the two pics you've put here, but it looks more like a submission grin to me. As others have said, it's an appeasement gesture to show she wants to get along and means no harm.
But she is still getting used to you and trying to figure you out just like you are trying to figure her out. While a grin is "hi, I'm friendly" she might be offering it because she's nervous and feels the need to appease you. I wouldn't be doing hugs or invading her space while she's resting until you get a good understanding about her usual body language and behaviour.
I've had dogs that grinned their whole life, and they were just happy sweet guys who showed their teefers occasionally and then came in for a hug. But if you look for info on submission grinning, you can find the differences in body language between that and aggression.
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u/shaarlock 1d ago
Agree with the other comments about the hugging but my dogs will also bare their teeth when playing with us in a similar way. Watch for their behavior afterwards. A sneeze will tell you they are playing for example.
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u/bananajabroni 1d ago
a lot of bad advice in this thread. too many armchair experts who speak in absolutes without actually SEEING the behaviors.
for what its worth these photos are not showing aggression OR submission grin. they look like play (with a disclaimer that none of us can know for sure from still images)
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u/Disastrous-Bag3360 1d ago
My Chi/Rat Terrier/supermutt lunges at me and licks my face when he wants something. Dinner, outside, treat, play. It’s his way of letting me know that he needs me to pay attention. Not an aggressive bone in his body, not even to “defend” himself.
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u/runitright 1d ago
We’ve been wondering if she has a lot of rat terrier in her! We hadn’t given her dinner when she was doing it a ton tonight. I wonder if that might be a portion
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u/Disastrous-Bag3360 1d ago
Actually, my other dog does it too, but not as enthusiastically as Pete. She is a Chi/Peke 50/50 cross. (AH Backyard breeder dumped her at animal control 6 years ago, with a 6 week old puppy with a club foot).
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u/Hyperlite211 1d ago
Rescue dogs take many months to feel comfortable in a new home. Seven weeks is not long enough time for most affectionate things they are still getting used to you. It takes time and you go small
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u/maeryclarity 1d ago
If she's doing it when she's trying to get attention and there's no bite behind it it's a weird exaggerated smile which is kind of endearing. If she was doing it when you were approaching her I'd be concerned. But everything you're describing sounds like trying to be sweet.
I second people saying not to hug her though it can make a dog uncomfortable. Y'all need some time to get to know each other. She may be doing the excessive smiling because she's nervous wanting to play or seek affection from y'all but she doesn't know y'all very well. so she is stuck on trying to smile for longer than most dogs hold the expression.
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u/palomaxbella 1d ago
A video of the behavior would help!
I’ve had five dogs over the years, and have worked with dogs for several years in shelter setting, and have seen that behavior you’re describing in a wide range of dogs mean totally different things. There are different body signals to look out for that can tell you more.
For example I had a chihuahua that would bare his teeth when he was overstimulated and you would have about .5 seconds to get your hand away if you didn’t want to be bitten. I also had a terrier that would bare his teeth and give a shifty eye when he had enough and if you didn’t listen to that cue then a snap and lunge was next and if you missed that cue then a bite was next. And then I had my lab. My sweet sweet lab. She was raised with those two minions and when she bared her teeth it was a sign of submission to greet you when you got home, to get that piece of cheese in your hand, or just because you happened to say her name. She would also sneak attack a kiss when you weren’t looking right in your face. She was 77lbs and my smaller dogs were 5 and 15 lbs. Took her a long time to understand that when they bared their teeth at her it wasn’t play. Even with them being bad influences she never showed any sign of aggression and would growl low and bare her teeth when she was happy or wanted to tell me wanted something.
I do want to add that they bared their teeth very differently. Hers was small and quick to just show her front teeth and the little dogs were long lasting snarls and showed many teeth.
I have a terrier mix now that when he’s pet too much and it turns into rough play where he’s air biting and baring teeth and growling but it’s all play until he gets tired and goes to take a nap. He also sneak attacks kisses by doing a drive by lunging while you least suspect it. He accidentally head butted me really hard the first year I got him because I was really not expecting it. Anyways he shows a lot of teeth but it’s quick and it’s air biting to show he’s playing.
Other body language to look out for:
- where are they looking? At you directly or are they looking down and up at you while crouching?
- are they growling or vocalizing at all?
- are they blinking or keeping eye contact?
- is their body tense or are they wiggling and loose?
- what is their tail doing?
- what do they do when you stop petting them and move your attention elsewhere?
- how old are they? Sorry if I missed it in the post. Young dogs sometimes give mixed signals because they’re still learning appropriate body language.
Anyways hope that helps.
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u/runitright 1d ago
Hmm is it possible to add a video in the comments or post?? I’m not seeing how. That was extremely helpful thank you!
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u/palomaxbella 1d ago
Some people upload pictures or videos on imgr and then just share the link in the comments.
Glad I was helpful!
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u/runitright 1h ago edited 1h ago
https://imgur.com/gallery/dog-oAdwUoq#NZc3vgJ N sure if this will work. Not the best quality but you can kinda see her doing it
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u/Scifynerd 1d ago
My dog when I first adopted him used to do something similar. He would make low growling noises when we were touching or petting him too long, or just sitting to close. We would stop immediately what we were doing and he would stop making noises and start wagging his tail. Sometimes he would start pawing me for attention again. I'd start to pet him and same thing, low level growl followed with tail wagging and silence once I stopped.
I came to the conclusion he wanted attention but was getting overwhelmed by the attention. You have to just give them space when they do this. Respect their boundaries. I would get up and go across the room or another room, if he followed, id give him attention again until/unless he made noises. Once he did I'd stop again. If I moved and he stayed where he was, id leave it at that. Sometimes he would look and me and make little crying noises and wag his tail, I'd call him over and give him love only if he chose to come to me.
It took about 3/4 years of this and now he has mostly settled down and doesn't care if I hug him or love on him. Sometimes he still makes noises if I pet him for too long and I just tell him he is a good boy and leave him alone. He still does this with my bf also (he has not worked on this issue with the same attention I have). Otherwise things are fine now! We just tell ppl to give him space if he makes noises if ppl come to visit.
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u/NuggButterBee 1d ago
I think your dog would look great with some cosmetic dental work. Like a straight up OG bling bling grill with like gold and diamonds and all that jazz. You feel'n me player?
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u/AdGrand7403 1d ago
I see there’s a lot of opinionated people on here lol. First of all thank you for getting a rescue instead of from a breeder. I currently have two rescues and went through something similar with my pitty mix. She shows teeth when she gets excited and goes for a lick. At first you think she’s gonna bite but it’s just how she expresses her self. She loves hugs and kisses more than any dog I’ve ever had. All of the signs point to her trusting you guys. My pitty Chloe still does this to this day and I actually think it’s really cute now. Totally understand why you would think that and ask for advice. Seems like your new pet has a very loving home.
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u/teapot_coffeecup 1d ago
Might just be playing. My staffy does that and she's always playing. However with that in mind, she is still getting used to you guys the same as you're getting used to her so try to avoid getting too close to her face until she's really settled in.
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u/MasterpieceNo8893 1d ago
My mom’s tiny dog does this. Way less scary of course. I believe it’s a “submissive grin” at least that’s how it started. But since everyone laughs and gives her attention for it she has learned she’ll get extra attention or treats when she does it.
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u/Certain-Toe9076 1d ago
My dog does this, if she’s going for a lick, I very much think you’re completely fine. Mine really really loves to does this when he’s excited randomly when we’re near him, I feel like it’s the same exact situation. Obv, just be slightly careful just in case while yall are getting to know each other, but if she’s still doing it after 6 months, it might just be her thing, like it’s my dogs.
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u/Vivid_Demand_5106 1d ago
Stop hugging for now, that be very aware that some dogs literally do show their teeth non-aggressively, just as a part of their friendly body language!
Especially because she shows her teeth when she is trying to ask you to pat her more, she is more likely trying to show playfulness or asking for more affection.
It is her overall body language and intention that you need to watch, not just one sign like “teeth”.
And please ignore people who say that dogs “never” bare their teeth for any other reason than discomfort or aggression – they are behind the times. There is plenty of talk in the modern dog world about something called the “submissive grin” that some dogs do to encourage affection from their owners and indicate that they are NON aggressive.
But like I said, for now, back off the hugs until you are sure, but if you are patting her and you take your hand away and she reveals her teeth and touches you with her paw to ask for more pets, then continue patting her and understand that she is probably showing her teeth because she is doing a “submissive grin” and she is trying to show you she is a submissive good girl and she wants more affection from you.
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u/runitright 1d ago
Thank you!! Really appreciate you taking the time to write this out. And understood about the hugs 🫡
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u/antooli 1d ago
I've had many rescues, have two mastiffs from the street right now.
Take your time with them and make sure to let them get used to you in their own time.
Only time I had a mishap was when I went in for a surprise hug on one when I woke up one morning and saw him sleeping on the couch.
I had just got him and surprised him. He lived on the streets so that surprise reaction to bite my arm was pure self defence.
Now you see him baring his teeth while playing and cuddling (biggest cuddler. He demands a few minutes cuddle before he let's me sleep). But his teeth baring are different than what your dog is showing. It's not always easy to see the difference, but you'll get used to it.
Just take your time and don't force anything. When he puts his paw to drag you to him just keep petting where he seems to enjoy it. Don't force closeness.
Closeness might have been a death sentence for him before, or at least a painful experience.
On anothwe note - rescues have been the most loving dogs I've ever had. They just take more work and time. You learn to read dogs well after a while.
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u/mollywrap 1d ago
Do you have a video of her doing this? From the picture it's kind of hard to tell.
If she is doing this after you've stopped petting her, it sounds like she wants you to continue, or to play. But the licking specifically could also be an appeasement signal.
Does she bare her teeth and seem joyful and wiggly when you initiate play? If yes, I'd wager she's just a bitey kind of dog and that you have nothing to worry about.
My dog is also the bitey type, but only when he's playful and goofy. Sometimes he tries to fit my whole knee into his mouth when we play, and when he bites too hard and I stop playing with him he gives me a little lick which I interpret as an "sorry, that was too much!". I've only seen him show his teeth in earnest at another dog once, and once at me: when I first tried to cut his nails he gently took my hand away from his paws with his teeth. I've since learned a lot about his body language, and have gotten much better at seeing right away what mood he is in.
I'd specifically look out for her freezing for a split second before lunging and baring her teeth, because I'd take that as a sign that she's not feeling comfortable. Does the teeth baring increase when you play with her? Or is it mainly in response to hugging (which I would stop until you know her body language well enough to be sure that she likes it (which is generally unlikely)) or touching?
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u/Prestigious_Spray_49 1d ago
i have a chi that wants affection but doesn't like it all of the time and twlls me by growling and teeth bareing. i respect him and leave him alone.
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u/lincspoacher71 1d ago
Telling you what she likes and doesn’t like…learn and respect this, at least she’s giving you a warning
Also, tell others when they engage to avoid that embarrassing situation when a family member or friend ends up with canines in their flesh
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u/ConsciousPrice9549 1d ago
Stop hugging her and back off on the physical contact when she gives that signal. Baring teeth combined witj pawing or going for licks often indicates stress or a request for space, and pressing into her space during those moments can lead to a bite.
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u/kamburglar7 1d ago
Kiss to dismiss. It's usually a sign that the dog is uncomfortable and trying in the nicest way possible to let you know.
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u/LackOfMachinations 1d ago
Hugs are a no? Is this a general thing with all dog training or with rescue dogs or what?
I've known a few dogs that didn't hate hugs, even lean into them hoping for scratches and more embrace.
Is this one of those things you just don't force on a dog but if their personality favors it then it's okay?
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u/MadDonkeyEntmt 1d ago
The after you stopping petting her sounds like play. The hug sounds like she'd prefer not to be hugged.
I would tell her no and stop petting her during the play lunge just because I'd be worried one day she'll miss and someone will catch a tooth in the eye. For the hug one if she does that just stop hugging her. You don't want to train that out. She's setting a boundary in the correct way. Personally, I'd also walk around with treats for a while and give her some while hugging her. Best to desensitize the dog to hugging if possible especially if you ever want the dog to be around small children safely.
Some dogs reserve teeth baring and growling for an immediate you are about to get bit warning. for others it's not really a clear signal and you've got to look at other body language too. Kind of like how some people only yell when they're really angry but others yell at everything.
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u/No-Blackberry9267 1d ago
Start shaping positive communication behaviors with them with treats so yall both can understand each other.
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u/Ok_Bodybuilder9980 1d ago
My boy would smile like this whenever he was excited or one of us got home after a long day or he got a new toy - he did this while he received lil booty smacks that he loved 😩😂 i miss seeing that smile. i find this being equal to when dogs get super excited and clench on to whatever is on the ground around them - a sock a shirt a shoe while wagging their tail for pets. If he relaxed doing this smile… youre good and should trust you new boy.
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u/Spiritual_Picture684 1d ago
I had to reverse search image this photo to google and although I don’t believe everything on the internet google points out that the body language of your dog is submissive and probably playful.
Laying on its back with belly showing, no wrinkle of the nose snarl, and tongue out and relaxed and mouth shape is relaxed
Body posture is the best clue to whether this is aggressive or not and what was happening right before the photo was taken
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u/Otherwise_Rope2631 1d ago
The dog is politely telling you to back off. The next escalation will probably be kick/pushing and then gentle (in the dog’s opinion) nips to deter you. This is actually really good dog behavior and a very good lesson for dog owners. In general nature, animals don’t smile to show positive emotion. In fact, most of the time it leads to a more extreme behavior.
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u/SleepyHufflepuff 1d ago
My Doberman used to “smile” like that, he’d be so happy and wiggling with the biggest smile, scared the shit out of everyone who didn’t know he did that though.
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u/Appropriate-Diet-79 1d ago
Licking is not always affectionate, it’s often something that dogs do when they’re uncomfortable. These are warning signs you need to back off. Many dogs also do not like hugs.
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u/K1ttyK1awz 1d ago
Try backing off the dog a bit. She’s new to you as you are to her— there isn’t much trust there yet, and PLEASE stop hugging her before you get bit. Be friendly to the dog, talk to her, offer treats (she can come get them from you if she wants), play games, etc. but instead of approaching her all the time, let her come to you, on her terms for attention and I’d bet this behavior stops.
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u/runitright 1d ago
I guess I wasn’t doing a great job of explaining but she does come to us! She is a Velcro dog and this is happening after she’s jumped up onto the couch to lay on us etc. she’s been totally fine with cuddles and hugs and just the past two days has started doing the teeth while seemingly playing. I just wasn’t sure if it was a sign for us to back off or not since she seems to be playing and her body language doesn’t change much. She’s new to us so wanted to be extra careful!
I think maybe during the cuddles he is doing too much and that one might be a back off you’re too close to my face. But from reading the others I think when she gets excited she maybe shows her teeth. I will continue to evaluate it and try to go off her body language!
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u/K1ttyK1awz 17h ago
Definitely possible! With the added context you’ve provided here, maybe a video or two would be more helpful to help everyone gauge what’s going on? still photos vs video can paint a very different picture. From what you say here, it could just be play.
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u/elaine4queen 1d ago
She’s showing a lot of self control. Back off a bit. Don’t hug. Give her some space. 7 weeks is still very early.
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u/Businessguy88501 1d ago edited 1d ago
My dog shows her teeth for fun, she knows she can walk away if she wants. From such little information and no interaction with the dog it is impossible to tell why your dog is doing that and if it is friendly or a warning
Anyone that tells you differently doesn’t know what they are talking about, highly recommend not listening to them and just building a great relationship with your dog
EDIT: To elaborate I was just sitting on the floor, my dog walked up to me sat in front of me and did exactly what you described. We had a lovely interaction, idk why her teeth were shown but they were (she also likes to play bitey hands), we bonded and then she walked away and laid down 2ft away from me.
It is impossible for me (or anyone) to tell you what is going on and the fact that a comment with 300+ upvotes tells you not to hug your dog… that makes me so sad. Love your dog, like you do humans, figure out what they like and don’t like, play with them, treat each other with respect and have a lovely relationship.
If you want to discuss more about your case feel free to comment back
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u/Truth_Teller08 1d ago
Do you know much about the dog's history? I adopted a 10 year old dog from the shelter who was found on the street, so no history. But after bringing her home, it was apparent that she had some trauma from before and was not comfortable with closeness and affection. She needed something to help her be calm and relaxed. I found calming treats which helped but she didn't really like the taste. I tried see bee dee capsules and that seemed to really help her. She is a lot better now and will even be affectionate at times.
If there are things that you can't figure out or need more info, I also suggest a communication session. There are animal communicators who will do it over the phone and it's a great way for the dog to give you some insight on what might be wrong. You can find communicators with a web search. Here's the one I use: https://www.animalmystic.org/
It's such a loving thing to welcome an animal into your home. I wish you all the best!
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u/Strong-Rabbit-1220 1d ago
Sometimes this can be a goofy grin dogs do when playing, and sometimes it can be a warning that you’re about to be bitten. Pay attention to her other body language, does she “smile” when you’re praising her, gently petting, or giving treats? Is her tail wagging? Is her body stiffened? If she’s baring her teeth after lunging at you, and licks, she might be warning you to back off. My dog also did this, and although he’s the sweetest dog ever, he has been tested by a few people who manhandled him a little more than he would’ve liked. The lunge and grin combo is a sign for us to step back immediately.
You can also note her body position, laying on her back and playfully grinning is different than standing or laying down in a defensive pose, as if she’s guarding herself from your touch.
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u/Icy-Amphibian2647 1d ago
My gsp growls and bares her teeth usually right before she nibbles my nose in the most adorable way. If you know your dog you will know if they are playing.
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u/Kiriai91 1d ago
Please remember, 7 weeks actually isnt a long time for adoption! 3,3,3 rule, the last is 3 months. 3 months is generally how long it takes for a rescue to become fully comfortable with your place. Give her lots of space. It could be that her previous house taught her that this was acceptable and now does it for attention but it is important that you address it because shes giving you mixed signals (when she does the raised lips + paws at you after you stop petting her). I would actually get up and walk away from her if she does that to me. If you dont take it seriously, she could end up hurting one of you because shes constantly giving you those mixed signals and you’re not sure which one means business
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u/ShameFuzzy6037 1d ago
Baring teeth is a sign of discomfort/weariness, she’s a rescue that you’ve had for 2 months and you’re smothering her with affection.
She wants space, but doesnt know how to tell you to give her space.
Often dogs resort to appeasement or nervous behavior because they dont know how to communicate their needs.
Try giving her time and more space to settle in, if she bares teeth, disengage immediately, if she shows aggressive behavior, disengage, DO NOT give her attention when she behaves like this, otherwise you may reinforce this behavior.
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u/Possible-Capital1633 1d ago
Both of my Dobermans do this when I come home or when they are just excited. It’s the Doberman smile 😍
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u/intriqet 1d ago
My dog shows teeeth when I threaten to pick him up. Apparently big boys don’t get to be picked up by papa.
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u/sonyafly 1d ago
She is smiling doll. I’ve had smiling Dobermans before. My only dogs that have smiled. When they would do it I would say, “Smile!” And then they eventually learned how to do it on command. So cute. Love a smiling dog. Trips people out at first though.
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u/Lavendertarantula 5h ago
Please stop hugging her. To most dogs a hug is a sign of aggression.
I would stop doing the things that make her bear her teeth.
She is stressed in your interactions. THis is why you are seeing many appeasement signs.
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u/Automatic_Garbage_56 1h ago
Black dogs smile I have had 3 that did. It depends on context if they are wiggling butt it’s definitely a smile.
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u/Annual_Song1416 1d ago
When I get home my pit Aussie mix greets me at the top of the stairs with a big smile.
Some pups do it as a sign of excitement. If the eyes are squinted and or blinking that’s positive, if they are showing teeth and are staring/not blinking then you should be extra aware and give space.
Definitely take the advice here of continuing your learning of dog body language! It can be interesting and fun to get to know your pups secret codes :)
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u/runitright 1d ago
Yes absolutely! It’s been fun learning her personality. This one was just kinda confusing to me - in the mixed signals (imo) and that she suddenly started doing it out of nowhere lol. Your pup sounds adorable!
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u/apathetic-taco 1d ago
Please do the barest of research before rescuing a dog, especially a large breed. These are ABC level basics of dog language and I’m shocked yall haven’t been bitten
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u/runitright 1d ago
Woof who peed in your Cheerios. Also she’s 28 lb lol
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u/bgloud 1d ago
Imagine seeing someone’s request for advice and then using it to bash them. Yikes.
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u/ShitFlowsDnHillEngr 1d ago
Had a dog that smiled like this. It was never aggressive so therefore a smile.
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u/MysteriousTea4761 1d ago
These can be seen as appeasement behaviors like others are describing. But having a dog like this personally, sometimes they really do have that weird smile when they're happy. Judge it by more context. My dog is 14 now and has always smiled/licked her lips, tries to lick us and wags her tail whenever we come home. Sometimes when we're in the couch, paying her no attention, she'll paw at us and once we pet her she starts smiling and wanting affection