One week left (in theory) until pups arrive! Today I captured one of Sky's little quirks - something I've seen in quite a few Shelties! Sky, when she's intensely excited, 'smiles' - top lip curled right back, accompanied by a massive amount of wagging to the point of not being able to walk straight, then lots of kisses and cuddles! It's become her greeting to many people, though anyone who hasn't seen what dog behaviourists term the "submissive grin" might be a bit concerned! It's absolutely the opposite of aggression, and is a totally friendly gesture. The body language in a dog indicates whether teeth being shown is aggressive or friendly - if bared teeth are paired with ears pinned back, whites of eyes being sown and hackles raised...back off! But many Shelties display this "submissive grin" as a sign of peace, and for many pets that progresses to a very exuberant greeting to their favourite people!
So here she is (looking very round) in a series of pictures....She was asked to do a down stay, whilst Narvik - her favourite human on the planet - approaches her from just arriving home.....
She is absolutely fixated on him, at this point her tail is wagging furiously and she's letting out little squeaks of excitement.....
So here she is (looking very round) in a series of pictures....She was asked to do a down stay, whilst Narvik - her favourite human on the planet - approaches her from just arriving home.....
She is absolutely fixated on him, at this point her tail is wagging furiously and she's letting out little squeaks of excitement.....
and there its is!! As he get right up to her and starts speaking to her, she can't contain herself and out come the teeth!! She squints and talks away, still not breaking her down stay....
Then she is released from her down and, still grinning away, she throws herself at him after this picture!
So if you ever meet Sky, and you get the 'Sheltie Smile'....don't be alarmed! It's her own little way of making friends!
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