How to Respond
If your dog is baring his teeth at you or someone else, take a look at his other body language.If you are uncertain of the cause or it appears that the teeth are bared in an aggressive manner, you should carefully remove yourself and/or your dog from the situation. Then seek the help of a dog professionals which may include a combination of a dog trainer, behaviorist, and veterinarian to rule out a pain related/medical issue. Its important you act quickly before your dog bites someone.
If you are unsure whether your dog is exhibiting a submissive smile or becoming aggressive when he bares his teeth, your best bet is to call in the help of a professional dog trainer or behaviorist. These experts are specially trained to detect the most subtle clues in your dogs body language and behavior. Its always a good idea to put safety first.
If you feel absolutely certain that your dog is simply smiling and his body language otherwise appears submissive, you probably dont need to be alarmed. However, it is important that you keep watching your dog determine if he becomes uncomfortable or nervous in his current situation. You should also keep observing to make sure you are not misreading the signs.
How to Respond to a Dog Showing Its Teeth
Your response to a dog showing its teeth should depend on the situation. If the dog has issues going out on a leash, try keeping it away from other dogs. When another dog appears in the distance, distract your dog by getting their attention, then rewarding them. That helps them learn not to view other dogs being in their space as negative or dangerous.
If your dog consistently shows its teeth or shows other aggressive behavior in the home, look at what you can do to adjust their environment. Remove anything they might perceive as threatening. Keep in mind that dogs who show hostile behavior toward other family members are not necessarily doing it to establish dominance. They may be afraid of something, and that anxiety can cause them to react in an antagonistic manner.Â
Why do dogs show their teeth when angry?
Dogs have very few ways of physically expressing themselves. When they’re in a situation they are not happy with and the need arises and if they feel they’ve got a point to make, they may well bare their teeth. It’s a canine way of warning you that your dog is just not in sync with what is going on around him.
Why does my dog show his teeth to me?
A dog showing his teeth is typically a measure of aggression, but it may also signify playfulness and excitement. Fear, alarm, protectiveness and illness can cause aggression. With patience, you can discourage and correct this behavior so your dog and the rest of family can live in harmony.
Identify the context of the action. While typically a sign of aggression, some dogs bare their teeth because of excitement. In fact, Dalmatians are prone to “smiling” when they are excited. A flash of teeth accompanied by growling, fixed gaze and tucked-under tail is a sure demonstration of aggression. The same gesture accompanied by a wagging tail, raised hind quarters and stuttered yelps typically signify playful excitement. Do not correct innocent teeth baring.
Identify the cause of aggression by monitoring your dog’s response to various stimuli. This may take a few weeks. If he bares his teeth at strangers approaching, this is a sign of fear. If he does it when people enter the home, this is a sign of territorialism and protectiveness. If he does it when eating, this is a sign of food aggression. Note the causes of his aggression and note the physical gestures that typically precede him showing his teeth. These may include growling, whining and holding his tail still.
Leash the dog so you can control his movement. Using the information you’ve gathered, create a controlled scenario in which your dog is likely to show his teeth.
Distract the dog by calling his name as soon he shows a pre-emptive gesture. For example, growling. If this proves unsuccessful, a gentle tug on the leash should suffice.
Issue verbal praise and a treat each time he diverts his attention from the recipient of his aggression to you. This teaches him that when he looks to you, positive things happen.
Expose him again to the aggression scenario and repeat the process until you are confident of reliably getting your dog’s attention.
Repeat this exercise for 20-minute periods every day. Once you can safely control your dog verbally, practice without the leash. Over time, your dog will associate the stimulus that has been causing his aggression with the positive outcome of receiving praise and food treats. This will neutralize the motivation for showing his teeth.
Simon Foden has been a freelance writer and editor since 1999. He began his writing career after graduating with a Bachelors of Arts degree in music from Salford University. He has contributed to and written for various magazines including “K9 Magazine” and “Pet Friendly Magazine.” He has also written for Dogmagazine.net.