Cranky and LucyBean: My brother accidentally taught his dog to "smile" on command. Doggie was grooming himself when someone called his name. Doggie looked up, with his lips still stuck to his dry teeth. The laughter and attention was so rewarding for the dog that no further teaching was necessary. That was a fluke. Usually it takes a lot of time and patience to "capture" a behaviour that you can put on cue so that the dog will do it on command. You can ascribe any "emotion" to it that you wish - but to the dog the only meaning is "if I do this right I get a treat or praise." It's not really smiling or being aggressive or submissive.
Dog actors are taught to assume a posture as a trick. The only meaning it has for the dog is that he gets a lot of love and attention (off-camera) for doing it. What you do not see or hear in the video is the owner cue-ing the dog, because that would spoil the movie.
I'm teaching my doggie to cover her eyes with her paw, both paws would be even better. Once I've taught her to cover her eyes, you can make a little movie like this, but avoid getting her actual cues, verbal or visual, on camera. Instead, you enact a little scenario in which you pretend to be shaming the dog (the dog doesn't understand English). Alternatively, you can have a scenario in which you, the owner, make a fool of yourself and then cue the dog to cover her eyes. The dog isn't feeling shame or embarrassment on your behalf. We make up a little story in which we ascribe emotions to the behaviour. The dog's only thoughts at the time are focussing on doing it right, so she'll get her reward (liver treat or a toy or a minute's play or profuse verbal praise - all good).
+1 1. AnnaT commented 10 years ago on video The Guiltiest Dog In Existence
Dog actors are taught to assume a posture as a trick. The only meaning it has for the dog is that he gets a lot of love and attention (off-camera) for doing it. What you do not see or hear in the video is the owner cue-ing the dog, because that would spoil the movie.
I'm teaching my doggie to cover her eyes with her paw, both paws would be even better. Once I've taught her to cover her eyes, you can make a little movie like this, but avoid getting her actual cues, verbal or visual, on camera. Instead, you enact a little scenario in which you pretend to be shaming the dog (the dog doesn't understand English). Alternatively, you can have a scenario in which you, the owner, make a fool of yourself and then cue the dog to cover her eyes. The dog isn't feeling shame or embarrassment on your behalf. We make up a little story in which we ascribe emotions to the behaviour. The dog's only thoughts at the time are focussing on doing it right, so she'll get her reward (liver treat or a toy or a minute's play or profuse verbal praise - all good).