Understanding your dog’s body language can feel like learning a foreign language, especially when they’re giving you mixed signals like blinking while showing their teeth. These behaviors might seem contradictory at first glance, yet they’re both part of your canine companion’s rich communication system. While we often focus on the more obvious signs like tail wagging or barking, these subtle facial expressions hold equally important messages about your dog’s emotional state and intentions.
The combination of blinking and teeth showing can leave even experienced dog owners puzzled. Is your pup feeling friendly or fearful? Submissive or stressed? The answer lies in understanding both behaviors individually and then reading the complete picture your dog is painting through their entire body language. Let’s dive into the fascinating world of canine communication and decode what your four-legged friend is really trying to tell you.
The Language of Blinking in Dogs
Blinking in dogs serves as a powerful communication tool that signals trust, relaxation, and non-threatening intentions. When your dog slowly blinks at you, it’s their way of saying “I feel safe and comfortable around you.” Unlike humans who blink primarily to keep their eyes moist, dogs use this behavior as a deliberate form of social interaction.
When dogs deliberately blink to one another, this is seen as a pacifying or submissive gesture to the dog receiving the blink. These simple blinks are used to signal that there is no threat and are used to avoid conflicts and fights. This calming signal becomes particularly valuable in tense situations where your dog wants to communicate peaceful intentions.
Recent research from Royal Society Open Science suggests that slow blinking in dogs may serve as a bonding mechanism, much like it does in cats. This gentle eye movement can signify trust, relaxation, and a willingness to connect with their human companions. Understanding this behavior can significantly strengthen the bond between you and your furry friend.
Decoding When Dogs Show Their Teeth
Context matters when it comes to a toothy expression from your dog; not every display of teeth is an aggressive snarl. There are a number of situations during which a dog may show his teeth and the ones that involve aggression are few. This misunderstood behavior often causes unnecessary panic among dog owners who automatically assume the worst.
Contrary to the aggressive snarl, a dog baring its teeth can also be a sign of submission, often referred to as a “submissive grin” or a “submissive smile.” It’s their way of saying, “I mean no harm!” Dogs displaying this behavior often accompany it with other peaceful body language signals like relaxed postures and gentle tail movements.
Your dog may flash a smile with teeth when they’re eager to romp, run, or initiate a wrestling match with another dog. This behavior typically means your dog is feeling excited and eager to be social. Recognizing the difference between playful teeth showing and aggressive displays becomes crucial for proper interpretation.
Aggressive vs. Submissive Teeth Displays
Bared teeth typically signify aggression or a threat display. This is an unmistakable signal that a dog feels cornered or is ready to defend itself. It’s crucial to exercise caution when confronted with this expression. Aggressive teeth showing usually comes with a stiff body posture, direct staring, and raised hackles.
Some dogs offer a submissive grin to show they mean no harm. They’ll pull their lips back, wag their tails, and wiggle their whole body. This is an appeasement gesture, not a sign of aggression. The key difference lies in reading the entire body language picture rather than focusing on just the teeth.
A dog with an aggressive, warning grin is going to be displaying stiff, upright behavior with their ears forward or back, depending on the individual dog. In this case, there will likely be piloerection when the hair is standing up on the dog’s back. In a submissive display of teeth, the dog’s posture will likely resemble a crouch. These physical cues help distinguish between different emotional states.
Reading Combined Signals: Blinking and Teeth Together
When your dog simultaneously blinks and shows teeth, you’re witnessing a complex emotional display that requires careful interpretation. This combination often occurs during moments of internal conflict where your dog feels multiple emotions at once. They might be excited to see you but uncertain about your reaction, creating this mixed signal scenario.
Sometimes dogs show their teeth as a form of a submissive grin or a friendly smile. It may look similar to an aggressive snarl but is often paired with a relaxed body, wagging tail, and squinty eyes. Dogs displaying this behavior are generally happy and trying to show you that they’re friendly and non-threatening. The blinking adds another layer of peaceful communication to this already submissive display.
Consider the overall context when interpreting these signals. A dog returning home after a long day might show this behavior combination as they’re simultaneously excited and trying to communicate their peaceful intentions. The environment, your dog’s general stress level, and recent experiences all factor into understanding their communication.
Stress and Anxiety Indicators
Sometimes the combination of blinking and teeth showing indicates underlying stress or anxiety rather than positive emotions. Blinking can occur due to stress or fear. In other situations, it may be offered as appeasement. Depending on the combination of body language, it may also be offered to show good will, whilst trying to calm an interaction down. Your dog might be attempting to self-soothe while also displaying appeasement behaviors.
When she draws back her lips horizontally, and you can see all her teeth, it may indicate discomfort or fear. When it accompanies ear flattening, it could mean she’s in pain, so watch her expression to see if it continues. Potential pain-related teeth showing combined with stress blinking may create a concerning signal that requires immediate attention.
Watch for additional stress indicators like panting, pacing, or avoiding eye contact. These behaviors, combined with the blinking and teeth showing, paint a clearer picture of a dog experiencing emotional distress. Environmental changes, new people in the home, or medical issues could trigger these stress responses.
When to Be Concerned
To determine if a dog is baring their teeth because of pain, look for other signs of physical distress such as limping, stiffness, or an unwillingness to move. If a dog is showing signs of pain, you’ll want to avoid touching or petting the painful area, pay close attention to their communication through body language, and take them to the vet for an exam as soon as you can. Medical issues can significantly alter your dog’s normal communication patterns.
If your dog frequently bares their teeth in stressful situations or if it turns into snapping and biting, you should reach out to an expert, such as a certified trainer with a CPDT-KA credential or a board-certified veterinary behaviorist, for help. This is especially important when the behavior is unpredictable or directed at people and other pets. Professional intervention becomes necessary when these behaviors escalate or become concerning.
If a normally friendly dog suddenly starts baring teeth when touched or approached, this could indicate an injury or illness that needs veterinary attention. Sudden changes in communication patterns often signal underlying health issues that require immediate professional evaluation.
Responding Appropriately to Your Dog’s Signals
Whatever the reason for your dog’s teeth display, never, ever punish him for this. You want him to feel comfortable communicating with you, so you can figure out why he’s showing teeth and take whatever steps are appropriate. Punishment can shut down these important communication channels, making it harder to understand your dog’s needs in the future.
You can blink slowly a few times to the dog to indicate that you are not a threat. Given that direct staring and direct eye contact is a threat to some dogs, it makes good sense not to look directly at the dog when blinking or yawning; turn your head slightly to the side while doing these actions. Responding with appropriate calming signals can help de-escalate tense situations.
Create a calm environment when your dog displays these mixed signals. Avoid sudden movements, speak in soft tones, and give your dog space to process their emotions. If the behavior seems positive and playful, gentle encouragement and praise can reinforce good communication. However, if you sense stress or fear, removing potential stressors becomes your priority.
Your dog’s communication is a beautiful, complex system that deserves our attention and respect. By learning to read the subtle combinations of blinking and teeth showing, you’re taking a significant step toward building a stronger, more trusting relationship with your canine companion. Remember that each dog is unique, and their individual personality and experiences shape how they communicate. The more time you spend observing and responding appropriately to these signals, the better you’ll become at understanding your dog’s emotional world. What other subtle signals have you noticed in your own dog’s communication repertoire?
Andrew Alpin from India is the Brand Manager of Doggo digest. Andrew is an experienced content specialist and social media manager with a passion for writing. His forte includes health and wellness, Travel, Animals, and Nature. A nature nomad, Andrew is obsessed with mountains and loves high-altitude trekking. He has been on several Himalayan treks in India including the Everest Base Camp in Nepal.
