The Submissive Grin: A Smile with a Story
Today, I’m putting the spotlight on the elusive (and adorable) submissive grin.
What is a Submissive Grin, and What Does It Mean?
In the world of canine communication, the submissive grin is one of the most misunderstood yet heartwarming gestures. While some might mistake it for an aggressive snarl, this expression is actually a sign of appeasement—an invitation to friendship. Think of it as your dog’s way of saying, "Hey, I mean no harm! We’re all good here, right?"
Dogs who display a submissive grin pull their lips back to reveal their front teeth, creating what looks like a human smile. This gesture often sparks joy in those who recognize it—but for those unfamiliar, it can be misinterpreted as a sign of aggression. The key difference? A submissive grin is always paired with unmistakable body language:
- A lowered body posture, often with a slight wiggle
- A tail wag that involves more than just the tail—it usually takes the whole rear end along for the ride
- Ears pulled back, sometimes with squinty or soft eyes
- A relaxed (or slightly nervous) demeanor rather than stiff or tense body language
Why Do Some Dogs Grin?
The submissive grin is often an inherited trait, passed down from generations of naturally appeasing dogs. Some breeds and individual dogs are simply more prone to it than others. In addition to being a friendly, non-threatening signal, it can also be linked to excitement, stress, or a lack of confidence. Dogs may grin when greeting new people, during play, or when they feel unsure about a situation and want to defuse tension.
Is a Submissive Grin a Sign of Aggression?
Nope! Unlike a snarl, which comes with tense muscles, hard eyes, and a stiff posture, a submissive grin is an expression of goodwill. It’s never meant as a threat, though some dogs may grin when feeling a little anxious or uncertain. Understanding this subtle yet beautiful part of canine communication can help prevent unnecessary fear and misinterpretation.
A Glimpse into Teethy Training Adventures
My attempts to teach my dogs to smile have been fails. It's definitely beyond my skill level. The image above and the 2 below are from when Vibe was a young adolescent and I tried to teach it. This was as far as I got before giving up.
View, my younger Border Collie has quite the impressive natural submissive grin. When meeting new people, the goofy boy gets all squirrely and has the best grin imaginable. While I wish I had the images to back up this claim, View's charming grin is not easy to capture on camera, because he grins mostly for other people, or when he's in my lap demanding pets.
I have tried to capture and mark it, but one click or 'yes' sends him into a whirlwind of chaos. Maybe, I didn't mention, that he's a little 'different.'
Some day, maybe I'll get the grin on cue figured out, but for now, I'll accept defeat and move on. If you have some training tips for me, I'm all ears.
4 Comments
Feb 2, 2024, 9:04:43 PM
Nicole Hrustyk - It's a hard one to teach and not a necessity. Peeing on cue is way more useful.
Feb 2, 2024, 9:00:37 PM
Kay - Awww! I love a teefers shot! When my pup was a puppy I tried my best to teach her how to smile but it didn’t really pan out 😂 I decided to let her quirks shine and capture whatever she wants to give me 😄 i did get her to pee on cue though 😂
Feb 2, 2024, 7:46:51 PM
Nicole Hrustyk - hahaha, sometimes I think it's best to let them do their weird thing. Unless, of course your competing and need precision. I just like the quirks of each dog. :)
Feb 2, 2024, 7:42:49 PM
Kim - That is adorable!! I was lucky to teach my dog to sit and she does the weirdest leg movements off to the side when you ask for a paw. We just gave up and went with it. Very interesting training concept that I never considered.