Can't Smile without you - 10 September 2025

·28 min·2 clips

Cheryl explains how some intelligent dogs mimic human smiles to appease their owners, revealing a learned behavior.

The episode begins with hosts Cheryl Shaw and Dr. Fiona Giblin exploring the topic of dogs smiling. They explain that some intelligent dogs mimic human smiles as a learned behavior to appease owners, with breeds like Aussie Shepherds and Dobermans showing teeth. Dr. Giblin warns that a dog's smile might signal anxiety rather than happiness, advising owners to assess the whole body, including hackles and tail wagging. The show then transitions to listener calls, starting with Michelle from New Lambton, who describes her rescue cattle dog's hair loss, warts, and itching. Dr. Giblin addresses canine papillomavirus, noting it's self-limiting and more common in younger dogs, and suggests allergy-related issues instead. Next, Lorena from Raymond Terrace asks about her two indoor rabbits toileting outside the litter box; the advice is to separate them to reduce stress. Anne from Aberglaston calls about her eight-month-old puppy's fabric-eating obsession, termed pica, with Dr. Giblin recommending vigilance to prevent surgical obstruction. Victoria from Raworth inquires about her 13-year-old miniature poodle's snoring, which may indicate anatomical changes. Shane from Fennel Bay describes his Labradoodle burying socks, attributed to poodle traits of collecting owner-scented items. Sam from Singleton asks about reverse sneezing in her Cavoodle, and Dr. Giblin explains it's harmless and self-limiting. The episode concludes with Pets of the Week: Russ, a five-year-old Australian cattle dog, and bonded cats Fox and Panda.

As heard by us

A brisk call-in episode moving from canine smiles to litter stress, clothing eating, and a lively-plus-cuddly pairing.

Pet Chat takes a light, useful path into animal behaviour by asking what a dog's smile might mean. Cheryl Shaw connects human smiling with feel-good neurotransmitter release, then explains that dogs can read facial expressions and, in some cases, appear to mimic them.

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Why you'd press play

You want a warm pet-advice stop that starts with how some dogs can mirror human smiles, then moves through real household pet problems without losing its light touch.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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