When it comes to dogs’ behavior, not all dog yawns are the same. Aside from that, the reasons for yawning are not fully understood (in dogs or in humans). It was once thought that the reason a dog is yawning was a way to replenish oxygen supply in the brain, but science has yet to find any evidence of this.
Yawning also hasn’t been shown to wake up a tired brain, even though we yawn most when we are bored or tired. Since yawning is most likely to occur in a warm room, it’s thought that it does have some effect on cooling your dog’s system. However, more studies need to be done on this. The latest theory? It’s thought that yawning is a form of communication.
So what, exactly, are the different meanings of a dog’s yawn? What is your pet trying to tell you when they let a yawn loose in the car, during training, or right before bed? And how do you know if they’re using that yawn to try to send you a message?
What is a Dog Yawn?:
Before we jump into the different reasons why dogs yawn, as well as the types of yawns and what each of them might mean, let’s go over what a dog yawn actually is.
When your dog is yawning, it is pretty much the same thing as humans yawning . It’s a reflex where the mouth opens wide and the lungs take a deep, involuntary inhale. Because it’s involuntary, there’s no way to control any aspect of a yawn: when it happens, how long it lasts, or how much air is inhaled. That’s true for both humans and dogs. When humans yawn, it’s a completely normal behavior. A lot of the things dogs do are for the same reason.
In this article, we will take a look at some of the strongest theories on why your dog may have a serious case of the yawns, learn about your dog’s body language, and talk about the signs of frequent yawning.
Meaning of Dogs Yawning
Dogs Yawning Due to Stress:
Most dog trainers and behaviorists will advise owners to watch out for signs of stress in their dogs, and one of these is often excessive yawning. A dog’s yawn can tell a lot. This is accurate information, as dogs do seem to yawn most when they are feeling anxious.
For example, you might find during an obedience class that dogs feeling stress and displeasure from their owners will often yawn as if to display their understanding that punishment may be coming. Your furry friend may have anxiety and yawn as a way to calm themselves.
If you’re out on a walk and stop to talk to a neighbor or fellow dog owner, you may notice your dog yawn a few times. This is because your canine companion is either uncomfortable with the person, situation, or perhaps they are just anxious to get moving again. The most common reasons dogs yawn can be as a sign of stress, anxiety, or to calm themselves. Your pup may just need a break when they are stressed. After all, a dog excited to go on a walk certainly doesn’t want to stop and sit around for 20 minutes!
