Dog facial expressions can tell a big part of the story, but for any pet, it is the whole package that tells the, ahem, tail. Dog body language extends beyond expressive eyebrows or facial movements. Canine communication contains multitudes, and encompasses everything from body posture, eye contact and other body language. Dogs produce all sorts of communicative function and nonverbal language, and animal behavior is far from an exact science. In the end, you know your dog’s emotions and emotional state better than anyone, and your first feeling about their body language cues is likely the right one.

EVOLUTION OF DOG

FACIAL MUSCLE ANATOMY

Overall, dogs are capable of making many facial expressions, including many that are human-like. Research suggests that the evolution of faster facial muscles in dogs has allowed them to move their faces in cuter, more human-like ways, cementing the bond between humans and dogs, as opposed to wolves, which have retained their more wild faces. An additional 2017 study concluded that dogs change and exaggerate their facial expressions depending on whether or not a human is watching. The next time you catch your canine making a goofy face, there is a good chance they are making it specifically for you.

HUMAN ATTENTION

AFFECTS DOMESTIC DOG

FACIAL EXPRESSIONS

The dogs who raised their inner eyebrows were adopted faster than others, and those who made the face more often during the interaction found homes the fastest. There is great value in having a solid understanding of dog facial expressions and their accompanying body language and behavior. When you recognize and respond to subtle communication cues, your dog will deepen their trust and bond with you. Some dog facial expressions are harmless and mean your dog is happy. However, others can act as warning signs or precursors to aggression. Occasionally, a facial expression may indicate the dog is in pain or requires medical attention.



While understanding the dog's facial expressions is vital, understanding their entire body language is even more important. The combination of their verbal communication, the positions of their tail and ears, and their posture and facial expression tells the whole story. Dogs send us all kinds of messages through their barks and whines, their wagging tails, and their eye contact. It is vital to respect your dog's feelings, so for example, if you hug your dog and notice that they are showing whale eye, you know you should stop because it is making them uncomfortable.

Wolves evolved an intricate system of facial expressions, vocalizations, and body language to communicate with each other. Dogs also use this to communicate, but if you can learn to translate this language, you will be able to "communicate" with your pet and easily solve many behavioral problems that may arise. This knowledge can also deepen the relationship you have with your dog. Opening the door to communication with your pet will strengthen your bond. You will both learn to trust each other, making your relationship more special than you ever anticipated.






DOG EYE EXPRESSIONS




1. HARD EYE CONTACT

When a dog pins you with direct, hard eye contact, this is not friendly. In this situation, the dog is quite still, with little to no body movement. They might look like they are standing tall, and the tail is held erect and stiff. This tends to be a precursor to aggression, which should not be ignored. Eye contact is essential in establishing connections between people. However, eye contact, particularly staring is less comfortable for our dogs. Prolonged eye contact between dogs is considered swearing at each other. most dog's eyes are almond-shaped. But, if you see that they are round and staring (called "hard eyes"), they are likely seconds from biting. That said, staring between dogs and humans is not always hostile. When a dog gives you a hard stare - direct eye contact focused right on you - the dog might be challenging you, and you should probably back off.




2. SOFT EYE CONTACT

A dog looking at you with soft eyes is a confident and friendly dog. They will likely approach you with relaxed tail wagging, and the body might be curved or wiggling. When a dog stares at you, it could mean one of two things. If it is a soft gaze into your eyes, it could just be an expression of love. “When your dog looks at you with those soft, loving eyes and you look back, both of you release oxytocin, which is the hormone of love. This is a dog who is social, confident and friendly. The eyes are round or almond-shaped and soft, with the pupils dilated appropriately for available lighting - small pupils if light is bright, large if light is dim. Often accompanied by affiliative distance decreasing behavior such as a relaxed tail wag, and body curved or even wiggling.




3. AVOID EYE CONTACT

This depends on your relationship with the dog. If you have had your pet for a while and know there is trust between you, not making eye contact can be a sign of deference. Your dog is telling you that they do not want a confrontation. But if you do not know the dog or if they are a rescue, they do not necessarily trust you. They are seeking to avoid any interaction, whether it is positive or negative. Dogs generally avoid direct eye contact with other dogs to reduce conflict and keep themselves safe. However, dogs are typically more comfortable making eye contact with people. So, what does it mean if your dog is currently avoiding your gaze? They are trying to prevent conflict if they are scared of or frustrated with you. If they are avoiding eye contact, they are trying to show the other person or dog that they do not mean any harm and may be trying to deflect tension.




4. "PUPPY EYE",

"WHALE EYE",

SHOWING WHITES OF EYE

When you can see the whites of a dog's eyes, it can be a precursor to aggression but is often a sign of stress, fear, or anxiety. This is also commonly called "whale eye." This is a dog trainer term for when a dog shows the whites of his eyes. While it is often a warning sign and precursor to a bite, dog whale eye really just means the dog is looking sideways while his nose is pointing forward. It is often seen with resource guarding because the dog is keeping his nose pointed at the valuable resource while watching you to gauge how much of a threat you are. Again, the rest of the dog’s body language is key to knowing when whale eye is an aggression signal and when it is not. If the body is relatively still and forward, it’s aggression. If other body signals indicate relaxation and play, then it is likely not aggression. The dog will usually turn their head away but keep their eyes on the person, animal, or situation, causing the whale eye. If you can see the whites of your dog's eyes and they are acting oddly, you should remove them from the situation causing them discomfort. This motion is usually accompanied by body stiffness and is a way for the dog to express, "Do not come near me." Dogs often have a whale eye when resource guarding, this is a natural behavior and should NOT be punished. However, the behavior can be dangerous if it continues and is frequent. Pet parents should speak with a dog behaviorist if this is the case.




5. RISING EYEBROWS

Dogs can have so many adorable expressions with their eyebrows! If your dog is looking at you and is raising one or both eyebrows, this is a sign that they are alert and interested in something. While raised eyebrows in humans often indicate surprise, this look signals joy among our pups! Dogs raise their eyebrows when they are excited and to make their eyes look bigger. With bigger puppy dog eyes, your pup knows they are more inviting to humans and other dogs. Dogs can move their eyebrows in a surprising number of ways. According to the experts, this might be exclusively for your benefit. Scientific analysis of canine facial anatomy has led to the discovery of a large muscle that exists with the sole purpose of controlling eyebrow movement – one that is not shared with their ancient ancestors. This muscle is absent in wolves, suggesting that it evolved specifically in domesticated dogs to enhance communication with humans.

There are a number of clues indicating why eyebrows have been so important in dogs' evolution over the course of their millennia-long relationship with humans. Eyebrow movement is a major component of nonverbal communication that people rely on to interpret others' emotions. Raised eyebrows in particular seem to elicit a nurturing instinct, a 2019 study suggests. Research published in PLOS One even showed that dogs with more expressive eyebrows are more likely to be adopted faster from shelters. The fact that canines make these expressions only when they know a person is looking at them further supports the theory that this is nature's way of ensuring they continue to be taken care of by their human companions. In other words, every time your pup sends a heart melting eyebrow waggle in your direction, you are actually getting a peek into natural selection at work.




6. LACK OF BROWLINES

A calm, relaxed dog's brow is as smooth as a baby's bottom, with those wrinkly-dog exceptions.




7. DILATED PUPILS

If an excited or frightened dog feels a rush of adrenaline, it is remarkable: You can see it in their eyes. If a dog is scared or basically releasing adrenaline or epinephrine for any reason, the pupils will dilate. You see the pupils just large and black like a big black pool, because dogs can dilate their pupils very widely, so there is almost no iris, almost no colors.




8. SLY WINK

If you have ever glanced at your dog and caught them winking in your direction, you might be surprised to learn the behavior could mean exactly what you think it does. Although much of canine body language is misinterpreted by humans, winking is one of a handful of gestures scientists hypothesize dogs may have picked up simply by evolving alongside us for many millennia. Research published in the journal Animals showed that dogs' eyes are cornerstone in their attempts to express themselves and communicate with their human companions. Winking, it seems, is one of many nuanced expressions they have added to their vocabulary. Your dog might wink at you for a variety of reasons. One possibility is that they have seen you wink in the past and have learned to mimic your behavior.

A 2001 study from the Journal of Comparative Psychology demonstrated that dogs are just as adept at interpreting human communication as young children, so seeing you wink at people you like enough times could lead them to repeat the gesture. They might also pick up habitual winking simply to elicit a positive response from you if you have reacted to the adorable gesture in the past. Occasional winking is a perfectly normal and adorable expression that you are welcome to encourage with as much praise as you see fit. However, persistent winking in the same eye that comes on suddenly is something you will want your vet to take a look at, particularly if the eye seems irritated. This type of winking, called blepharospasm, can be a sign of a medical issue.




9. EYE CROSSING

Eye crossing is a silly gesture that humans love to use when joking around. Unfortunately, this expression is one dogs are not able to make intentionally and is most likely to be caused by a medical issue. The rapid onset of crossed eyes could even indicate a health emergency requiring immediate attention from a veterinarian. Strabismus, the medical term for crossed eyes in dogs, has many potential causes, some of which are more cause for concern than others. Specific breeds, including pugs, Boston terriers, Irish wolfhounds, shar-pei, akitas, and golden retrievers, are more susceptible to developing benign strabismus due to hereditary muscle weakness. Eye crossing that arises slowly and gradually worsens could be a symptom of one of several chronic conditions. It is worth bringing this to your vet's attention to rule out anything that could require treatment. If your dog's eyes begin to cross suddenly, especially following an injury or when accompanied by other symptoms of illness, it should be treated as a medical emergency. This may be a sign of a more serious problem like head trauma or neurological issues. Set up a vet appointment as soon as possible to get your pup a thorough examination.




10. SQUINT OR BLINK

DURING EYE CONTACT

This is a sign of appeasement, which is often a good thing, if it is simply the dog’s nature to be appeasing. However, appeasement can also be a signal for fear, which is not such a good thing. If the dog is squinting and approaching, it is a friendly, social expression, and it is probably safe to interact with him. If the dog is squinting with his body posture back and lowered, it is likely fear. If you approach he may feel threatened, and bite. When a dog blinks at you while looking at you, they might be trying to figure out what you are thinking or doing. It is common for a dog to blink at you when you give them a command. Squinting at you might mean they are looking to appease you, but it can also be a sign of fear. If a dog approaches while squinting, this is a social and friendly dog that is safe for you to interact with. But if they are squinting and holding their body in a lowered position, they are fearful, and there is the potential for a bite if you approach them. Nope, your dog is not trying to read something in the distance. Instead, squinting can be a sign of love! If they look at you and squint their eyes, coupled with a soft, relaxed face, then this is a sign of affection. However, dogs can also squint if they have sunlight in their eyes.




11. SQUINT OR BLINK

WITHOUT EYE CONTACT

If your dog is squinting or blinking but not making eye contact, this might be a sign of illness or pain. It can also be a sign of fear or stress, particularly if they are blinking rapidly. Squinting can also be a symptom of eye ulcers and entropion. If your dog is behaving differently in addition to the blinking, you should check in with a veterinarian. Exaggerated or rapid blinking helps dogs clear dust or dirt from their eyes. But in the absence of eye disease or foreign bodies, dogs use this blinking as another way to avoid conflict. If you see lots of blinking, look at the situation and the rest of their body to find out if your dog is relaxed or showing anxiety to the triggers around them.




12. BLINKING RAPIDLY

Dogs blink much less frequently than humans do – about three to 10 times per minute compared to the human range of 16 to 42 times per minute. With that said, there are a few different reasons you might see your pup start to blink more rapidly. Repeated slow blinking is a sign they are relaxed or sleepy and getting ready for a nice nap. More rapid blinking, however, can be related to multiple causes, some of which require further attention. Blinking rapidly can be a way for dogs to avoid uncomfortable eye contact with a person or dog they feel intimidated by, indicating submission or anxiety. Try not to force your dog further into an uncomfortable situation when they are displaying this type of facial expression. They might be trying to communicate with you and let you know they're feeling overwhelmed. Eye irritation is another common cause of rapid blinking in dogs. Conjunctivitis, the type of inflammation humans call pink eye, typically presents in canine subjects as a combination of blinking, swelling, redness, and discharge. More frequent blinking can also be a symptom of blepharitis, or an inflamed eyelid. Whenever blinking is accompanied by additional signs of a potential infection, you should have your veterinarian take a look sooner rather than later.








A D V E R T I S E M E N T









DOG EAR EXPRESSIONS




13. FLATTERED EARS

When a dog pulls both ears back and tight against the head, this is commonly an indication of fear or aggression. You might see this in conjunction with whale eye. But if your dog is exhibiting any other signs, such as frequent shaking of the head, scratching at their ears, or exhibiting discharge from the ears, it might be an ear infection. No matter what size or shape your dog's ears, when they are flattened close to the head, it is a sign your dog feels a bit worried. However, this may be harder to see in floppy-eared breeds, like Basset Hounds and Cocker Spaniels. Instead, in these dogs, their ears will shift back against their head and possibly a bit inside. The best thing pet parents can do in this situation is give their dog space or help them with their anxiety.




14. RAISED EARS

HARD FORWARD

This is a dog who is aroused and alert. The ears alone do not tell you if it is excited-happy-aroused / alert or aggressive-aroused / alert. If the eyes are soft and the body is wiggly, it is the former. If the eyes are hard and the body is tense, it’s the latter. A dog's ears are like semaphore flags – they send clear signals to anyone who knows the code. Fortunately the dog ear code is considerably simpler than semaphore. A dog with dropped or cropped ears can be harder to read, but the signals are still there.




15. RELAXED EARS

For a prick-eared dog, the ears are still up and forward, but not hard forward, and may even swivel to the side. For a drop-eared dog, the ears are hanging flat against the side of the face instead of pulled forward. Relaxed ears generally mean a relaxed dog.




16. EARS PULLED BACK

Regardless of ear style, ears that are pinned back against the head can mean one of several things. It can be happy appeasement, fear, or stress. As with the squinty eyes, the rest of the dog’s body language will give you clear clues as to which it is for the dog in front of you, and you can adjust your own interaction with the dog accordingly.




17. NEUTRAL EARS

When a dog holds their ears in their usual position, you can assume they are feeling relaxed.




DOG MOUTH EXPRESSIONS




18. "DOG SMILE"

A dog smiling can often be confused with snarling or showing aggression. You had be forgiven for thinking that dogs only smile when they are happy. But this appearance might be their natural "look." Many dog breeds, such as Golden Retrievers and Bulldogs, have a wider mouth. So, when they open their mouths, they look like they are smiling. Sometimes, a closed-mouth smile with dimples in the corners can indicate anxiety, especially if it is paired with other symptoms like Tense body, Staring eyes, Unrelaxed ears. Just check your dog's body language to ensure that it is indeed a smile and not a snarl. Some dogs appear to put on a sheepish smile while welcome their favorite person home or meeting new canine or human friends. This adorable gesture, called submissive grinning in dogs, is much more than a simple greeting. It is actually a defense mechanism canines use to defuse potential aggression from newcomers that likely traces back to their ancient ancestors' behavioral code.

When a dog smiles submissively, their lips may either be closed or open to show their teeth. The latter can feel intimidating to humans who typically associate bared teeth with an aggressive snarl. But it's important to look at the pup's body language as a whole before jumping to conclusions about the intention behind their toothy grin. If a dog shows their teeth while relaxing their posture, closing their eyes or averting their gaze, or lifting a paw delicately, it is almost certainly a submissive gesture. However, visible teeth accompanied by stiff body language or intense staring, is more likely to stem from the dog feeling threatened and warrants caution in continuing to interact with them. If you are on the receiving end of a submissive grin from your favorite pup, you can likely interpret the behavior as them letting you know they respect your leadership and authority. Grinning from an unfamiliar dog means they'd like to make friends and are hoping to avoid provoking aggression. You can reassure them by lowering yourself towards the ground and giving gentle praise in a soft, soothing voice.




19. SUBMISSIVE GRIN

Often mistaken for a snarl, the submissive or appeasement grin is a bit of a mystery in canine communication. It is only seen very rarely in dog-dog interactions, but is not uncommon for dogs with soft, appeasing personalities to offer to humans. One theory is that the dogs are actually mimicking human smiles! At any rate, it is a lovely behavior that can get dogs in trouble because people think they are being aggressive when they most certainly are not. If you are not sure, quickly check the rest of the dog'’s body language to clues as to which it really is. I say "quickly" because if it really is a snarl, prompt evasive action may be required on your part.




20. GRIMACING

The difference between a grimace and a smile should be fairly apparent. When a dog pulls their lips back horizontally and you can see all their teeth, this is a grimace. It can mean the dog is fearful and feels nervous and uncomfortable. If their ears are flattened too, this is a clear sign of fear.




21. CLOTHED MOUTH

This look can be trickier to decipher. Dogs can have closed mouths for lots of reasons. For example, they might have a closed mouth simply because they are relaxed and happy. On other occasions, a closed mouth could appear stiffer and indicate stress. Look at their overall body language for clues to help decode what your dog is feeling. A wagging tail would confirm your dog is in the chill zone, while a stiffer pose may suggest anxiety.




22. RELAXED MOUTH

Your dog’s mouth, when relaxed should closed, or slightly open. If closed and relaxed, the skin around the mouth will be wrinkle-free, with possible exceptions for the wrinkly and bracycephalic short-faced breeds.




23. TENSE MOUTH

If your dog's mouth is relaxed and open, and he slowly closes it, his body goes still, and there are lines around his mouth, he is not happy. Use caution, especially if his body also goes still. This is often part of the freeze sequence that is the precursor to a bite. A tightly closed mouth is also a sign of tension. When out for a walk in the park and your dog lunges at another dog on a leash with a jaw that is tensely shut, he is about to lose self-control. Dog Facial Expressions ExplainedIf the corners of his lips move forwards, watch out, as things will escalate quickly, and the situation could become aggressive. Move away from anything at the first sign of tension in your dog’s face. That will save you both a lot of stress. A tightly closed mouth may also indicate physical discomfort. Always check your surroundings, and if you do not see anything that might be the cause of tension in your dog, consider a physical ailment as a possible reason for his distress.




24. PANTING

Like yawning, panting has a few meanings. Dogs will pant when they have exerted themselves and when they are overheated. You will need to cool your dog down to prevent heatstroke. Panting can also be an indication of stress, so you will need to consider the scenario and your dog's body language. When a dog pants due to stress and anxiety, the panting is quite fast and shallow, whereas relaxed panting is deeper and slower. When your dog lets their tongue hang free, it can indicate they are happy or busy sniffing. But, a lolling tongue, especially for extended periods, can mean they are stressed and need space. But there is a caveat. Not all dogs tongue lick the same way. Look at other elements of your dog's body language to get a better idea of what their tongue action might be indicating. Lastly, medical concerns, such as dental disease or hanging tongue syndrome, can cause a dog's tongue to hang out permanently. A dog can pant for several reasons. He may have just been exerting himself, and is panting to cool off. He may be overheated, in which case emergency cooling measures are called for to prevent heat stroke or even death. Or he may be stressed. Again, evaluating the rest of his body language, as well as knowing what activities he is been recently engaged in and taking into account the ambient temperature, will help you determine which panting is happening. Also, acute stress and distress panting is often very fast and shallow, as opposed to relaxed panting which is often slower and deeper.




25. LICKING

Sometimes dogs lick to greet. Sometimes dogs do appeasement licking. Sometimes dogs lick their lips to get the last bits of flavor from the last tasty thing they ate. Sometimes dogs lick themselves persistently because of allergies or some other medical issue, or because of a canine compulsive disorder. And sometimes dogs lick their lips because they are stressed. Sometimes canine professionals have a tendency to overreact and call any lip-licking stress licking. It is not necessarily. It might be. Let the rest of the dog's body language help you decide if it is or it isn’t. There is so much to unpack with licking behavior in dogs! They can lick their lips because they just ate, but sometimes, it is a sign of stress, almost like a nervous compulsion. Licking their lips and drooling can be a sign of nausea. Dogs will lick us or other animals as a way to greet us or as a sign of appeasement. Some dogs will lick a part of their body because of allergies, a medical condition, or a compulsive disorder. You will need to consider the whole situation and your dog's body language to understand why they are licking.

If you look over to see your dog smacking their lips while you prepare their dinner, it is easy to interpret what their hungry expression means. But dogs perform this action for many more reasons than asking you to hurry up with their food. Lip smacking is an incredibly diverse gesture that can communicate a variety of emotions and needs depending on the context. Dogs smack their lips when they produce excess saliva, an understandable response to seeing their favorite tasty snack. This also happens due to nausea and could mean they are feeling sick. Lip smacking during a car ride, for example, is a potential warning sign that your pup is experiencing car sickness and could vomit soon. Many illnesses and infections also cause nausea that often presents as lip smacking. These range from parasites and gastritis to chronic liver and kidney disease. Lip smacking can further be an indication of anxiety in dogs. This is typically accompanied by body language like an averted gaze, yawning, and stiffness. If your pup has a habit of smacking their lips while receiving hugs or wearing costumes, it likely means they're uncomfortable and would prefer to interact with you in less stressful ways.




26. YAWNING

Sometimes dogs yawn because they are tired. Sometimes dogs yawn because yawning is contagious. Sometimes dogs yawn because they are stressed. Again, look at the whole dog and then decide. It is true that like humans, dogs might yawn when they wake up. But like everything else regarding dog behavior, it depends on the context. This one can be a bit confusing: Yawning means either the dog is tired or they are stressed. If your dog appears tired and then yawns, the meaning is quite clear. But if your dog is yawning and showing other signs of stress, such as pinned-back ears, whale eye, pacing, etc., you will know that they are feeling anxious. When your pup wakes up from a good sleep or needs one - they are likely to belt out a yawn or two. They might yawn when anxious in anticipation of, during, or after a stressful event to self-soothe. You can imagine they might be stressed meeting a new person who is getting a little bit forward. Then they might yawn, which indicates they are under some kind of psychological pressure. This stress yawn is almost like an escape valve.




27. COMMISSURE

This is just a fancy word for the corners of your dog's mouth. Take note of how the commissure looks when your dog is calm and relaxed, and remember it for comparison purposes. There are two significant variations on the commissure. If the corners are pulled forward and the commissure forms a "C" shape, the dog is being offensively aggressive. If the corners are pulled tightly back, forming a "V" shape, the dog is being defensively aggressive. Either way, watch out!




28. GROWLING

AND SNARLING

As clumsy as some people are at reading canine body language, this one is pretty hard to miss. When the lips curl up and all those shiny white fangs are exposed, the message is usually pretty clear. The snarl is usually accompanied by very hard eyes, while the ears may be pricked hard forward or pinned back, depending on whether the dog is being offensively or defensively aggressive. Growling and snarling can begin differently depending on the breed. For some, it starts with a lip curl, and others escalate quickly to a snarl. No matter how it starts, growling or snarling is a threatening and warning behavior, so back away, keep your distance, and avoid eye contact. If your dog repeatedly growls or snarls, you should get help from a vet or dog behaviorist.




29. STICKING TONGUE OUT

Dogs stick their tongue out for many different reasons. First and most commonly, there is the obvious tongue lolling that accompanies panting. This is a perfectly normal behavior that your pup uses to regulate their body temperature. Unlike humans, dogs do not have sweat glands and instead use circulating air to cool themselves from the inside out. Dogs also let their tongues hang out as a characteristic part of a big, happy smile. They use their tongues to taste the air and increase their sensory abilities while sniffing. A pup who sleeps with their tongue out is experiencing deep relaxation, a sign they feel safe and protected in your presence. Older dogs sometimes experience hanging tongue syndrome, an umbrella term for a tongue that never retracts but hangs out of the mouth permanently. This may be a result of dental decay that comes with poor oral hygiene and age. However, it can be linked to more serious conditions as well. If your dog starts to experience hanging tongue syndrome, your veterinarian may want to conduct a thorough examination to rule out a few causes. Ultimately, they may simply recommend increased access to water a soft food diet. You can avoid hanging tongue syndrome by caring for your dog's teeth with regular brushing from a young age.




OTHER

DOG FACIAL EXPRESSIONS




30. HEAD TILT

How much do you love a doggy head tilt? It is quite clear what it signifies: curiosity! It can also be a dog's way of telling you to continue your conversation with them, as they are attempting to figure out what you are saying. They are not trying to figure out a game show teaser. Instead, they are likely moving their head to better listen to sounds around them. Dogs also tilt their heads to appeal to us. You often find dogs do it because they have been reinforced by their humans with lots of fuss, which makes them offer it. If your dog tilts their head constantly, you might want to schedule a vet visit. Some dogs will tilt their head when they are curious and also when they are "listening" to a human talking to them.




31. WRINKLED NOSE

When a dog pulls up their lips to display their front teeth while wrinkling up the muzzle, they are angry! You will usually see these signs as a precursor to a snarl, which will be accompanied by a hard stare and pinned ears. It is a strong sign that a dog needs space, and they are escalating up the ladder of aggression. However, that this look is not always negative. It can be recognized as a "submissive grin" when not accompanied by other aggressive body language cues. Dogs sometimes even wrinkle their nose when they are happy to see you! Nose scrunching is one of many canine facial expressions that can carry vastly different meanings depending on the context and the accompanying body language. The first and most common cause is sneezing.

Dogs are able to sneeze both by blowing air out of their nose like humans and by sucking air in, or reverse sneezing. Your pup may experience this as a result of environmental irritants, allergies, or illness, not unlike the involuntary sneezes you are used to. But canines also sneeze in response to emotionally heightened experiences like playtime or as a way of communicating submission to other dogs. Further, nose scrunching can be a warning sign that a dog is feeling defensive and may be prepared to act out aggressively. This is most likely to be the case when accompanied by body language such as stiff posture, ears pinned back, raised hair on the back or neck, or direct staring. With this type of nose scrunching, it is best to back away and give the pup space to feel less threatened.




32. LOWERING THE HEAD

When a dog lowers their head while looking up at you, this is a sign of submission. It can be considered a similar version of squinting and blinking while maintaining eye contact.

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