Update on Teri and puppies

This is the smallest pup, and the only one with a single color. The rest have white & brown

Practising at a young age to display puppy-look effectively when it is older

Teri at full alert of other dogs in the vet. She even snapped at an Alsation.

Doleful, Sad Look

On 20 May I posted this: How do dogs know that showing the puppy-look softens us? The word "puppy-look" is a term regularly used by laymen like me to describe dogs which display that type of look to gain attention.

It was yesterday that I found out there is a term to describe this type of facial expression. I was reading this book: "Breaking Bad Habits in Dogs" by Colin Tennant, and the words he used were "doleful, sad look".

Alpha and the Follower

There are many occasions where Max had displayed a subservient body language to Jon. I managed to capture one such moment. More on this video later. These two dogs are like human siblings. When one is being petted or belly rubbed, the other will come over. Most of the time Max is more of the attention-seeker. He will linger at the door at the entrance to the house while I watch TV, and display his puppy-look face. When I give him the attention , Jon will walk over and put his face in front of me, asking me to also pet him. I am just glad he does not put his whole body between Max and me. He has never done it, because he is not that bad a bully. At the point in time when Jon arrives, Max's ears will turn toward the back in fear. If he is already standing, he will immediately go down on his belly and look away. If he is already at the down position during a belly-rub, he will look away from Jon. But I still have to give attention to both of them simultaneously, while making sure to use one of my hands as a barrier between the two dog's faces - in case Jon snaps at Max. Many times he has growled at Max in response to Max having looked at him.

Now back to this video. This was taken inside the car as I was coming back home. They are both greeting me. See how Jon steps in between the gate and Max - prompting Max to give way - and jumps up to the gate.

How do dogs know that showing the puppy-look softens us?

Or the question should be "Do dogs know that showing us the puppy look softens us?". The first time I noticed a dog giving a puppy-look was when I was playing with a neighbour's dog when he came over to my house. The kind of look that resembles that of the picture of Max below. This dog did it many times to ask for food. And at the same spot at the entrance of the house.

When I took Jon in, he too behaves like this, though he does not lie his chin on the ground but put his paws on the gate. He does this to ask for food. Then came Max. He does this immediately every time after I come home. He knows what routinely will happen next is a walk for him and Jon. I wonder why he does this? Is it a universal dog body language to request for things? Do they know that they are extremely adorable that will soften anyone; and that it will take a considerable amount of self-restrain on our part not to give in to their requests/demands - especially when it comes to food.

I welcome any comments on this doggish behaviour.