The majority of behaviorists and trainers would advise owners to look out for indicators of stress in their dogs, and excessive yawning is frequently one of these signs. This information is true because dogs do appear to yawn when they’re feeling stressed. For instance, you might notice in an obedience class that dogs that are under stress or displeased by their owners frequently yawn as though to indicate that a punishment may be forthcoming. Your dog might yawn a few times if you’re out on a stroll and stop to chat with a neighbor. This is a sign that your dog is either uneasy with the human or is eager to resume walking. A dog that is eager to go on a walk won’t want to stop and wait about for 20 minutes, after all.
Why does my dog suddenly yawn?
Things start to become intriguing at this point. It turns out that dogs yawn for reasons other than exhaustion and boredom. There are numerous hypotheses regarding the physiological, emotional/sociological, and physiological purposes of yawning.
Physiological Reasons for Dog Yawning
According to certain physiological research, yawning may stimulate the neural system in a similar way to how caffeine does. Additionally, yawning may “cool down the brain as its temperature rises.
Numerous studies on yawning by neuroscientist Robert Provine reveal that in humans, dogs, and other animals, yawning frequently occurs while one behavioral state is changing, such as:
Emotional and Sociological Functions for Dog Yawning
Dog yawning appears to serve emotional and social purposes as well. Dogs yawn when they are anxious, to put it simply.
Dogs utilize a variety of signals to relax themselves when they are nervous or restless, according to Norwegian behaviorist Turid Rugaas, author of On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals. One of these signals is yawning. A dog might experience worry when
A dog’s peaceful intentions can be communicated to others by yawning and other “calming signs,” according to Rugaas, helping to prevent conflict or defuse a potentially dangerous scenario. To fully comprehend how the dog is feeling, we must examine the rest of their body language.
A stressed-out dog, for instance, may yawn while licking their lips, tucking their tail, holding their ears back, and maintaining an averted stare or large, open eyes.
A dog’s yawn can also convey tension to the rest of its pack. Researchers at the University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College recently examined the impact of owner present on the behavioral and physiological signs of fear in dogs during standard health examinations.
They discovered that there were more yawning episodes, fewer vocalizations, and drops in body temperature while the dogs’ owners were present. Researchers hypothesized that a dog’s yawning during the examination may have served as a social cue to its owner. They came to the conclusion that owners should be urged to stay with their dogs at routine veterinary visits where it is practical to do so.
In earlier research, comparable findings were seen. One study found that dogs yawned more frequently around familiar dogs than around strangers. In a further experiment, handlers who patted shelter dogs as they were taken out of their cages saw that these canines yawned more, sought out the person’s touch more, and exhibited more relaxed postures.
Dogs’ yawning may likely demonstrate that they can experience empathy, says Nick Dodman, BVMS, Dipl. ACVB, Professor Emeritus at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine.
Dogs yawn more frequently when they see their owner yawn than when they see a stranger yawn, according to a new study that examined the infectious effects of human yawning.
This demonstrates the emotional bond between dogs and their owners. This suggests that dogs are conscious of their own sentiments as well as those of others.
Why do dogs yawn while not being tired?
A yawn can also be an indication of stress or anticipation. Your dog may yawn repeatedly while waiting at the veterinarian’s office as a coping mechanism for anxiety. Dogs will occasionally yawn before a fun activity, like a walk. This is a technique for reining in his exuberance.
When you pet a dog, why do they yawn?
While you may believe that your dog enjoys a good hug, it’s more likely that they are yawning because they are uncomfortable.
Although most dogs like their owners’ tender touches, hugging your dog is a human snuggling technique, not a canine’s. Dogs don’t comprehend hugs and frequently seem uneasy while being hugged or cuddled at their level.
A dog’s anxiety may be released through shaking and yawning in response to the perplexing body language.
Try waiting and letting your dog approach you for cuddling if you see they seem stressed by your hugs; they’ll teach you which forms of hugging make them comfortable when they’re in charge of the encounter!
Why does my dog constantly stretching and dozing off?
Dogs are said to yawn and stretch for the same reasons as people do. Both humans and dogs frequently yawn and stretch after waking up or after taking a nap. It indicates that the body is transitioning from a calm to an awake and alert condition. Additionally, stretching after a while of lying down surely feels great!
Stretching can occasionally be used as a greeting. You’ve probably seen your dog trot over to you as you enter the house or when you return from work, stopping to stretch its front legs and wagging its tail in the air. They appear to be bowing to you! A yawn may also accompany this greeting stretch, which is known as a greeting gesture. It’s actually a pretty good sign if your dog yawns and stretches in front of you when you get home because dogs only do a greeting stretch to welcome someone they know and trust.
What does yawning too much mean?
You may be exhausted, drowsy, or tired if you yawn a lot. But it can also be a symptom of a health issue, such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, or a drug reaction.
It would be best to make an appointment with a doctor to find out why you are yawning excessively. Once the underlying problem has been addressed, the excessive yawning could go away in some circumstances.
Do canines only yawn under stress?
The word “stress” is frequently used to refer to pressure or strained feelings. There are a wide variety of stress-related factors. Maybe your job is making you worried, maybe you get uncomfortable when you meet new people, or maybe you get anxious when your daily routine is interrupted.
You can find comfort in a number of methods to lower your stress levels. You might find comfort in the companionship of a reliable friend. Perhaps you get stress relief when engaged in common tasks like housecleaning. Or perhaps you work out to let off some steam.
Even our dogs are susceptible to stress. Since we are aware of how stress affects us, we undoubtedly want to assist in reducing stress in our pets. However, how can we tell when our dogs are stressed out when they don’t express their emotions, slam the phone down, or throw a fit? In dogs, worry frequently shows itself in subtle ways. In actuality, certain stress-related behaviors resemble those of unwinding.
What are some of the indicators of stress in dogs?
shaking or pacing After a bath or a roll in the grass, you’ve probably seen your dog shake. Except when it’s a reaction to stress, that whole-body trembling can be funny and quite acceptable. Dogs, for instance, frequently experience worry when visiting the vet. When they land on the ground after leaving the test table, many dogs “shake it off.” Dogs pace when disturbed, just like people do. While they wait for the vet to enter, some canines circle the examination room repeatedly.
barking or whining. In dogs, vocalization is a common form of self-expression, albeit it can become more intense under stress. Dogs who are anxious or fearful may whine or bark to attract your attention or to calm themselves.
licking, yawning, and drooling. Dogs yawn when they are exhausted, bored, or under stress. A strained yawn is longer and more powerful than a sleepy one. Additionally, anxious dogs may lick and drool excessively.
eyes and ears change. Like agitated individuals, stressed dogs may exhibit dilated pupils and fast blinking. They could appear shocked by opening their eyes extremely wide and exhibiting more sclera (white) than usual. Normal alert or relaxed ears are pressed back against the head.
alterations in posture. Dogs often support their weight evenly on all four legs. A healthy dog that has no orthopedic issues may be showing signs of stress if he shifts his weight to his back legs or cowers. Dogs may tuck their tails or become very rigid when they are terrified.
Shedding. When show dogs get anxious in the ring, they frequently “blow their coat.” Dogs shed a lot while they are at the vet’s office. Even while it’s less obvious when the dog is outside, like when visiting a brand-new dog park, anxiety causes more shedding.
Panting. When they are overheated, excited, or stressed, dogs pant. Even when he hasn’t exercised, your dog may be stressed if he is panting.
alterations to how the body works. Like anxious individuals, anxious dogs may have an unexpected urge to use the restroom. Your dog may be claiming his territory and responding to the stress at the same time when he urinates quickly after meeting a new canine friend. Food refusal and gastrointestinal dysfunction are further signs of stress.
Displacement or avoidance behavior. Dogs may “leave” an unpleasant circumstance by concentrating on something else. They might sniff the earth, lick their private parts, or just walk away. Even though ignoring someone is not courteous, it is preferable to becoming aggressive. Do not push your dog to engage with people or other dogs if they avoid it. Observe his decision.
hiding or running away. Some anxious dogs literally move behind their owners to hide as an extension of avoidance. Even so, they might nudge their owners to get them to move on. They may dig, circle, hide behind a tree or a parked car, or engage in other diverting behaviors as a means of escaping.
How can I help my dog handle stressful situations?
You must be familiar with your dog’s typical behavior in order to distinguish stress symptoms from routine activity. Then you will be able to determine whether he is licking his lips out of anxiety or desire for a treat.
He will have semi-erect or looking forward ears, a soft mouth, and round eyes when at ease. He’ll balance himself equally on all four paws. You may alleviate an uncomfortable situation fast and efficiently by distinguishing between normal behavior and stress symptoms.
Remove the stressor from your dog if he’s stressed out. Find him a peaceful area to rest. Refrain from trying to soothe him too much. Make him work for the attention or rewards you wish to give him by engaging in an activity first (e.g., sitting). The dog is diverted and given a sense of normalcy when it responds to routine commands. Amazingly, the commands sit, down, and heel may sooth a distressed dog.
Visit your veterinarian if your dog exhibits signs of stress on a regular basis. Your veterinarian might suggest hiring a trainer or veterinary behaviorist to assess stress-related problems after making sure that your dog’s behavior is not caused by a medical condition. If necessary, they could also recommend anxiety drugs.
Just like with humans, exercise has a powerful calming effect. Walking or playing fetch are two exercises that might help you and your dog relax. It’s also a good idea to give your dog a secure area of the house where he may retreat from stressful events. A serene setting is appealing to everyone.
Finally, keep in mind that stress is not necessarily negative. Stress-related emotion called fear makes us steer clear of potentially unsafe circumstances. Therefore, stress might really be a safeguard. Whatever the case, stress is a normal part of life for both us and our dogs, therefore we should acquire effective coping mechanisms.
How do I get my dog to stop yawning?
An occasional yawn is normal, but if your dog yawns frequently, it could be an indication of stress or nervousness.
Observe your dog’s yawning patterns, including where, when, and how frequently. A brief yawn before bed or while out for a walk is acceptable. But if you see your dog yawning repeatedly in potentially stressful situations—like meeting a new person or going to a training session—the odds are your pet is feeling overstimulated and uncomfortable.
As an illustration, one of my coworkers at Rover has observed that her dog, Scout, yawns constantly whenever she tries to cover her head with anything. Since Scout’s distress is so clear, she has given up trying to dress her. (So much for Scout’s cute spring dog sweater. Oh, the potential photo opportunities!) Knowing how to interpret your dog’s indications will enable you to comprehend their emotions at any given time, even if they are unable to express them verbally.
Do what you can to get your dog out of the stressful situation and help them relax if you notice that they are yawning as a result of stress. For instance, if your dog is tension yawning during a training session, ask the trainer for a break so you may take them outside and give them some pets or treats to help them relax. Your dog’s excessive yawning should stop once she feels more at ease.
If your dog experiences persistent anxiety, you might want to explore consulting with a canine behaviorist. Your veterinarian or trainer can suggest a few in your neighborhood.
Why is my dog licking her lips and yawning constantly?
Any one of the behavioral clues listed on the next five pages may point to your dog’s anxiety or dread. However, some of these symptoms might appear in other circumstances (e.g. dogs often lick their lips when given a treat, but lip-licking is also shown when a dog feels uncertain, anxious or fearful). So, bear the following in mind while determining whether your dog exhibits certain behavioral traits out of anxiety, fear, or for another reason:
- If your dog exhibits multiple anxiety and/or fear-related behavioral traits, such as licking lips, arching the ears, and stiff facial expressions, it is likely that they are feeling worried or afraid. However, the combinations of indications might differ between dogs and even within one. Additionally, certain dogs’ behavioural warning signs may be more difficult to see due to physical variances. As a result, even if you only observe one of the behavioral indicators, it may still be significant.
- It is likely that your dog is experiencing anxiety or fear if you notice an increase in the frequency of any of the behavioral indications (for example, repetitive lip licking).
- It’s likely that your dog is experiencing dread or anxiety in those particular circumstances if they occur only in those contexts and not in others.
- If your dog licks his lips, pants, salivates, or yawns without any obvious physical cause (such as heat, exercise, exhaustion, or the availability of food), it is likely that he is scared or worried.
- Some of these actions are frequently believed to indicate different motives. However, studies and clinical experience suggest that they can all be symptoms of dread and anxiety, particularly when several symptoms appear simultaneously.
