Moment Deaf Dog Realizes Owner Is Home Delights Internet: ‘That Smile’

When a dog owner returns home, they are often met with excitement and enthusiasm, but this wasn’t the case for Emma Lot, a pit bull owner.

Instead, Lot must wake up her deaf dog Noomi, who has recently gone viral on TikTok (@emmalot143), racking up over 901,000 views. Speaking from behind the camera, she says Noomi has no idea that the owner is home because she cannot hear her. So, Lot gently taps the peacefully sleeping canine to let her know she is back, and then is greeted with a “pretty smile” that has also melted many viewers’ hearts.

Newsweek discussed the viral video with a pet expert and a veterinarian, who has provided tips on how to care for a deaf dog.

Can Dogs Smile?

Axel Lagercrantz, CEO at Pets4Homes, the U.K.’s largest pet rehoming site, told Newsweek about canine behavior and how they have learned to mimic humans’ happy emotions.

Lagercrantz said: “While dogs don’t smile for the same reasons humans do, their ‘smiles’ are often a clear signal of relaxation, contentment, and trust. Canine behavior has evolved alongside humans, and dogs have become masters of reading our emotions and body language.

“As a result, they’ve learned that their ‘smiles’—those openmouthed, tongue-out expressions—tend to make people respond with affection, approval, or even treats. This positive reinforcement encourages dogs to smile more often, not as a reaction to humor like humans, but as a way to show they feel calm and happy.

“It’s important, however, to interpret these smiles within the broader context of their body language. A relaxed dog will often smile while wagging its tail in wide arcs, moving loosely, and showing signs of excitement or approachability,” Lagercrantz said.

“On the other hand, a dog that feels threatened or anxious may also bare its teeth, but their body will be stiff, their movements slow, and they may show other signs of discomfort or stress. Knowing the difference between a friendly grin and defensive behavior is crucial to avoiding misinterpretations that can escalate a situation.”

How to Take Care of a Deaf Dog: 5 Tips and Tricks

Dr. Anna Foreman, a veterinarian based in the U.K. who works for Everypaw Pet Insurance, has provided the following tips:

1. “Teach commands using hand signals, or even teach sign language to intelligent dogs. Rather than using vocals, hand movements to signal a dog to sit, stay, lie down, that it is dinner time, or time to go to the toilet, will help with communication.”
2. “Make sure not to startle your dog when approaching them, particularly if asleep. If approaching from behind or if asleep, make sure to approach slowly and make vibrations with your steps so they can detect the movement before being touched. Let the dog sniff you and see you before interacting physically with them.”
3. “Be careful allowing a deaf dog to roam freely, particularly in a built-up area. Dogs particularly rely on their hearing to detect traffic and so will be more prone to accidents if deaf. Rabbits will be less aware of predators, too, and so reinforced enclosures are important to prevent contact. Build up independence slowly. A deaf dog should ideally be kept on a lead when outside of the home, as they will not respond to verbal communications if distracted by another dog, human, or animal when out and about. This may leave them vulnerable to becoming injured. Leads, collars, and even microchip details can be adapted to inform others that a dog is deaf.”
4. “In the dark, the use of lights as a signal to an animal can make them aware of your location, particularly valuable when out on walks with a deaf dog.”
5. “Deaf dogs will still have a very strong sense of smell, and so scent work is great to occupy their brain to prevent boredom or depression.”

TikTok Reacts

The touching moment has been a huge hit online, and Lot has said in the comments why she speaks to her dog, even though she cannot hear.

She wrote: “Noomi really pays attention to our facial expressions and lips. That’s why I still talk to her, so she knows and feels we love her so much.”

“Awww she’s the purest form of love,” wrote one user, and another commented: “That smile put a smile on my face. She’s beautiful.”

Newsweek is waiting for a comment from @emmalot143 via email.