Why Does My Sheltie Smile?
Is the Sheltie smile real? Dog experts say yes, but it's not for the reason we think. Take a look at the evolutionary roots in wolf behavior and dog psychology that causes your Sheltie to beam at you.

The Sheltie smile is an endearing trait and it's not unique to Shetland Sheepdogs. But what's going on when they appear to smile? Are our dogs actually happy or are we just anthropomorphizing them?
What The Experts Say
Can dogs really smile? The experts say yes, but not for the reason we imagine. Wolves smile to indicate submission to another wolf. Equally, dogs instinctively interpret this grin as a sign of submission. It tells them that this particular dog isn't a threat.

Confident, alpha dogs rarely smile. They have no desire to show their submission to anyone. And since Shelties are usually gentle, submissive dogs, you're more likely to see them submit with a Sheltie smile. If you think about it, the social smile is what we humans often do too!
An exception is when dogs "laugh" with their upper teeth bared. This is not at all submissive, but is a sign of aggression. If you see a dog making this face (including dear sweet Shelties) then back off quickly.
And sometimes your Sheltie can appear to smile when he's panting, as you can see here when Howard was a puppy. We were having a great game of chase the glove when we paused for a breather and he did this!

When The Sheltie Smile Becomes Real
If you think the Shetland Sheepdog smile has just lost its magic... think again. Because experts also concede that eventually a dog's smile can actually become genuine over time, thanks to the psychological effect of classical conditioning.
Remember the famous experiment known as Pavlov's Dogs? Ivan Pavlov, the Russian psychologist, repeatedly rang a bell before giving dogs their dinner. Soon, the dogs began salivating when they heard the bell but there was no food present.
Like Pavlov's Dogs, to reinforce the Sheltie smile, you need to repeatedly reward the behavior: a belly rub, a dog treat, or a nice pat on the head. In this way, we're conditioning our dog's laugh by rewarding this cute behavior every time we see it. This is also the basis of clicker training.

Gently conditioning this kind of submissive behavior in your dog is a good thing. It's his instinct to follow the leader—and you create a happier lifestyle all round when you're able to ensure your dog is well-behaved. So next time you see your Sheltie smile, give him a reward. Everyone wins.

How to Groom a Shetland Sheepdog
Shetland Sheepdogs have luxurious double coats, which come with the responsibility of routine grooming. Here's my step-by-step guide to de-shedding the undercoat.

The Best Grooming Tools for Shelties
The Shetland Sheepdog's double coat demands 3 specialized dog brushes: a detangling and de-shedding comb, a fine-toothed comb for knots, and a slicker brush for finishing.

A Brief History of Shelties
Nope, Shelties didn't evolve by breeding smaller and smaller Rough Collies—they actually date back 300 years to Scandinavian dogs imported to the Shetland Islands.

Sheltie Puppies: Photos, Advice & Listings
Learn about raising a Sheltie puppy—from housebreaking to clicker training—and find ethical Sheltie puppies breeders near you.

33 Medium Sized Dog Breeds
To find out the best medium-sized dog breeds, we asked dogs to submit photos of themselves and explain why their breed is the finest. Who would have guessed that every single entry.

How to Stop Your Sheltie Barking
Behavioral problems aside, the best way to stop your Sheltie barking is to fill her life with productive outlets for her energy: agility, tricks, obedience, chew toys, games, and exercise.

The Sheltie Smile
Is the Sheltie smile real? Dog experts say yes, but it's not for the reason we necessarily think. Take a look at the evolutionary roots in wolf behavior.

Never Buy a Puppy From a Pet Store
Pet store puppies often come from puppy mills who, unlike ethical breeders, bypass genetic screening and vet checks in exchange for more profits.