Yawning as a sign to communicate indifference has been observed in both domesticated dogs and wild canids. This could occur if you are petting your dog during a fearful time, such as during a thunderstorm, and when you are petting your dog in a new area that makes your dog anxious. Yawning is contagious in humans, but studies have shown that also extends to our dogs.
It’s What Experts Call A Calming Signal.
This behavior is known as empathetic yawning , and dogs often do it when they see their owners yawn. In addition, your dog may also be anxious if a lot of new people are around. It's a dog's way of saying that he feels threatened or anxious, but that he is not going to attack.
Yawning In Dogs Seems To Ultimately Share A Few Similarities With Human Yawning, But Dogs May Also Yawn For Their Very Own Reasons.
Another common reason dogs yawn is to avoid a conflict with a potential aggressor. These puppies showed a delayed yawn response, with 39 percent yawning sometime in. However this is still a controversial hypothesis, on the cutting edge of our understanding.
The Result Is An Instant Energy Boost And Increased Alertness.
They would also try putting the other’s entire nose and mouth into their own mouth. Many times, when a dog is faced with an aggressive dog , he will offer a yawn in response. Yawning causes the lungs to expand and a deep breath to occur, which increases oxygen levels in the brain and releases excess carbon dioxide.
In Fact, A 2008 Study Conducted At The University Of London Showed That Out Of The 29 Dogs That Took Part In A Contagious Yawning Experiment, 21 Of Them Yawned When They Saw A Human Yawn.
Yawns can be a signal your dog is stressed. A yawn in this situation is a nonverbal means of saying, “i’m not a threat” or “i don’t want a problem.”. If your puppy’s cries occur primarily in the time leading up to meals, it could be a sign of hunger.
