Why Does Your Dog Yawn?
We can assume that when a human yawns that they are bored or tired. Does the same assumption apply to our four-legged friends? It is natural for dog owners to assume that their pets do things for the same reasons that they do. However, this is not the case when it comes to yawning. We have compiled a list of some of the most common reasons why dogs yawn. Continue reading – you may learn a thing or two!
- Excitement – Who would have thought that excitement could bring along yawns. Active dogs tend to yawn when they are especially excited about what they are doing (or about to do).
- Anxiety – On the flip side, yawning can indicate negative emotions like stress and anxiety. If this happens with your dog, pay close attention to other forms of tense body language such as wide eyes, tense muscles, and/or flattened ears.
- Confusion – Perhaps your four-legged friend is confused and does not know what to do. Examine the current environment and this cold be quite the possibility!
- Communication – Dogs communicate with each other in several different ways. A yawn is considered a “calming signal” and may be used upon introduction. Dogs can yawn in front of other dogs to tell them that they are nonthreatening.
- Contagious – As humans, we witness another person yawning and then we want to do it ourselves. The same applies for canines. If they see it, they may do it!
We hope that you learned more about why our dogs tend to yawn. If you thought it was an insult before, you should not now! As you can see, there are many reasons behind the simple yawn. Pay close attention to the cues the next time your pup opens up wide!
