I disagree. There's no evidence that the dog is mistreated and therefore afraid of his owner. We will put our dogs outside if they misbehave in the house. That's not much different than a kennel. If they fight with each other we've made them spend the night in their crates right next to each other to get them back to getting along. And one of my dogs has that same smile. Talk to her and she'll show you her teeth. That also works as a bonus when there's a stranger outside the gate and they think she's snarling at them. (I want people afraid to enter the property unannounced). And you should see how one of my dogs puts her head and tail down and drags her feet when she really does not want to go outside. You'd swear she was looking at a paddle or something. It's just their way of interacting with us. (and she does not like going out in the snow sometimes)

...... Kendra