PRESS ESC TO CLOSE
 

What That Guilty Expression on Your Dog’s Face Really Means

Share
|
Sheila Sund/Flickr

We have all seen it: the guilty look on our dog’s face. Often with a lowered head and big eyes looking upwards, our pups let us know when they have been misbehaving, whether that involves chewed shoes, a plate of food disappearing or marking in the house.

But this look wasn’t something invented by our four-legged friend. Rather, this sort of body language, known as the “apology now,” can be traced back to a dog’s ancestor: the wolf.

Related: Study Unveils What Music Dogs Prefer

When young wolves play, and roughhousing ensues, through social cues, the animal will be alerted if he went one step too far (e.g. biting) by the pack, according to Nathan H. Lents, a molecular biologist with the City University of New York.

The pack will shun the wolf. In order to get back into the pack’s good graces, the wolf will do an apology bow, same with dogs.

“Dogs have inherited this behavior and they will use it after any kind of infraction that results in being punished,” Lents wrote in Psychology Today. “As social animals, they crave harmonious integration in the group and neglect or isolation is painful for them.”

Related: Your ‘Baby Voice’ Only Works on Some Dogs, According to Research

Dogs will do the apology bow — other behaviors include stop panting or smiling, lowering the head, avoiding eye contact and tail between his legs, according to Lents — even if they haven’t done anything wrong but are still being scolded.

Some animal behaviorist state the “guilty look” is more of an act of submission, than a direct apology, according to Lents. But in a way, he thinks of it as both.

“In a sense, an apology is indeed an expression of submission,” Lents says. ‘”I was wrong; you were right.” Nothing could be more submissive than that.”

Related: No Silver Lining Here: Stress Can Cause Dogs to Get Gray Hair

By Andrea Huspeni

Andrea Huspeni is the founder and CEO of This Dog's Life. Her mission it to help dogs live a happier, healthier and longer life. When she isn't working, she spends time with her two dogs, Lola and Milo. She resides in Brooklyn, NY.

All You Need

Shop now
Loading component ...
What My Dog, My Zen Master, Taught Me About Life After My Mom's Passing

What My Dog, My Zen Master, Taught Me About Life After My Mom's Passing

Some of the Most Popular Valentine’s Day Flowers are Toxic to Dogs. Do you Know Which Ones to Avoid?

Some of the Most Popular Valentine’s Day Flowers are Toxic to Dogs. Do you Know Which Ones to Avoid?

What’s Going on With Your Senior Dog: Is it Behavioral or Medical?

What’s Going on With Your Senior Dog: Is it Behavioral or Medical?

The 6 Winter Skin Miracles Your Dog Needs

The 6 Winter Skin Miracles Your Dog Needs