This puppy is so cute.

Do dogs know how to act cute?

Most dog owners will agree that our canine friends are doggone cute. Some of their expressions and actions simply amplify their “cuteness.” But are they born with the innate “cuteness” or do they learn how to be cute?

one of the cutest canine attributes is The Dog Smile

There is nothing quite as disarming as a full blown doggie smile. You know the one: your dog pulls back the corners of his mouth and shows just enough teeth to be sweet and not enough to be scary. But are dogs really smiling at you or is there another explanation for this sweet facial expression?

Historically, in wild canids like wolves, the facial expression we call a smile, actually communicates submission to member of the same species. To signal that he accepts the fact that he is not “top” dog, the submissive wolf retracts the corners of his lips which makes his face appear to be smiling. The dominant wolf interprets the smile as a submissive gesture and assumes his role as alpha wolf.

Domestic dogs are relatives of early wolves and interpret the “smile” the same way their ancestors did. So Your cute “smiling” dog may simply be indicating that he readily accepts his subordinate position in your family. With that in mind, dominant alpha dogs rarely smile. Pet owners who discount this evolutionary explanation, insist that their pets actually smile at them. And in a sense, they are right. If you respond to the smiling, submissive pup with a kind word, a pat on the head, or a treat, he quickly learns to smile a lot! Even alpha dogs will smile when they realize that positive reinforcement of this cute expression is in store.