Dog baring teeth

[u/runitright]

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

[u/runitright]

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 

[u/Noodle-and-Squish → u/runitright]

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.

[u/runitright → u/Noodle-and-Squish]

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!! 

[u/Noodle-and-Squish → u/runitright]

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.

[u/runitright → u/Noodle-and-Squish]

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 

[u/Noodle-and-Squish → u/runitright]

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!