Dogs communicate a lot of information through their facial expressions, and being able to interpret these can help you understand your dog's emotions and needs. Here’s a guide to recognizing and understanding common dog facial expressions and their meanings!
Dogs, like humans, display a variety of emotions through their facial expressions. Recent studies have shown that people can accurately identify six emotions in dogs: happiness, sadness, anger, fear, disgust and surprise. Let’s explore what these emotions look like on your dog’s face.
Happiness: When your dog is happy, their ears are perked up or relaxed, and their eyes are wide open and sparkling. Their mouth is relaxed and slightly open, and they are often panting with their tongue hanging out.
Sadness: A sad dog raises their inner eyebrow muscles, giving a mournful, soulful look. Their eyes are usually cast down.
Anger: An angry or aggressive dog will have ears that are forward or flat against their head, narrowed eyes and open lips drawn back to show their teeth in a snarl. They may also snap their jaw.
Fear: Fearful dogs lay their ears back flat and low on their head, with slightly narrowed eyes. Their mouth may be closed or opened in a slight "grin."
Surprise: A surprised dog will wrinkle the top of their head into something like a frown and often tilt their head.
Yawning: Unlike humans, who yawn when tired or bored, dogs yawn when stressed. Dogs use yawning to calm themselves in tense situations. You can even yawn at your dog to provide comfort during stressful moments, like a veterinary visit.
Lip-licking: While dogs lick their lips after a meal, they also do this when they feel anxious. Sometimes the tongue flick is so quick it's easy to miss. This action signals discomfort rather than a desire to lick your face.
Smiling: Some dogs smile by baring their front teeth in a way that can look intimidating if you're not familiar with the expression. This is known as a submissive grin, and it’s often accompanied by a loose and wiggly posture, indicating happiness and a peaceful demeanor. In contrast, a menacing growl paired with bared teeth signifies aggression.
Dogs can even perceive emotions similar to their human companions. This phenomenon, known as "emotional contagion," means that dogs can react to their owners' gestures by responding with similar or opposed expressions.
Understanding the details of your dog's facial expressions can help you respond better to their needs and strengthen your relationship. If you notice signs of aggression or fear, consulting a professional can provide strategies for managing and improving your dog's behavior.