How Common Is Yawning in Dogs?

How Common Is Yawning in Dogs?

In dogs, not all yawns seem to be the same. There are ample reasons why your dog yawns. At one point in time, it might be a sign of happiness and excitement. At another point, it might be  a sign of frustration or tiredness. So, why does your dog yawn so much? Are you eager to learn the reasons? If yes, welcome to this all-encompassing post.


Yawning in Dogs: Signs of Boredom, Stress, Love, and More


Have you ever heard the phrase: happy yawning in dogs? Truth be told, happy yawning is about relaxation, although it might be present for various types of happiness. The following pointers are key indicators of your dog being happy while yawning:

  • Lying down with four paws underneath
  • Rolling onto the backs with exposed belly
  • Ears in a natural and relaxed position
  • Play bow
  • Tail wagging

Frustration and boredom can also take a toll on your dog’s life. In case your pet is bored, it will manifest itself in different ways, including the below-mentioned ones:

  • Excessive whining and barking
  • Chewing on shoes or furniture
  • Digging
  • Pacing back & forth

Did you know you can easily differentiate between frustration and boredom? All you need is to look at your dog’s reactions. If you find the pet without any cue or it stops training, yawning is a warning indicator that comes accompanied by paw-holding.

Signs of Tiredness

Tiredness and fatigue may also be a cause behind your dog’s excessive yawning habit. If it does not get enough sleep, it will simply yawn the next day. The other indicators include the following:

  • Drooping eyes and ears
  • Heavy panting
  • Lack of energy
  • Lack of playing interest

How to Help Your Dog That Always Keeps Yawning?

Whether your dog is anxious, stressed or fearful, you must never force your pet into doing something that it does not like. Instead, it is best if you can engage them in communications with children, individuals, and other dogs.

You can easily prevent your pet from yawning, which might be a warning signs of frustration or tiredness if not happiness and joy. So, you should always allow people around them to approach them in making the scenario more intense. The dog should be forced to use overt signs of anxiety, fear, as well as fear like the following:

  • Biting
  • Snapping
  • Growling

If the dog yawns a lot or looks too scared, you can do the following things to help them:

  • Avoid scenarios that are causing the dog to feel fearful or make them stressful
  • You can create a safe corner for the pet and introduce fun activities there
  • You must learn the signs of fear, stress, and anxiety in a dog. That will help your dog feel safer when around you
  • If stress and fear are the part and parcel of your dog’s everyday life, you shouldn’t neglect the situation. Instead, you must help them feel less fearful

With these things kept in mind, you can assist your dog in overcoming the situation.