Dog showing teeth now she's getting older

Alvinism

Hi, I have a six-year old bichon frise who in the past year has started showing her teeth all the time and sometime sticking her tongue out. It's not in an aggressive way, she just looks at me with a big toothy grin! Has anyone else noticed this with their dog? Or does anyone have any idea why she might be doing it now when she didn't before. Is it something to do with getting older?

elsien

No idea, but if it's been going on nearly a year are you due the annual vet check when you could run it past them?

GwylimT

Sticking out the tongue can be a sign of pain, when did she last have her teeth examined?

GBNI

I would get her checked out if it's an unusual behaviour.


One of mine will 'grin' when she's been told off or knows if she's done something wrong, it's a submissive gesture though.

teddysmum

My two old cavaliers hang out their tongues, but that is because they have gaps in their teeth so the tongue falls through.


Sometimes (especially with my last big cavalier) I've noticed a grin accompanied by teeth chattering, which happened if they tasted something odd eg they had licked another dog's bum or stolen underwear from the dirty washing pile.

sheramber

When you say 'all the time' do you mean permanently or do you mean often?

If the latter in what circumstances does it happen?

Alvinism

Hi, yes she just does it often. Frequently it's when she is resting or sleeping and then will wake up and look at me with all her teeth on show and tongue sticking out. Other times it's when she is looking up at me expectantly for a treat. I will mention it to the vet when we are in for a check up.