Dogs and Yawning – What’s The Deal?

Does your dog yawn?  Have you yawned lately and noticed your dog followed suit?  Sasha yawns often, sometimes even making a funny little “aarreeeooooo” sound as she does so.

I recently read an article with a study about dogs and yawning and it showed that many dogs yawn when they see people yawning, kind of trying to commiserate with their pet parent.  Some do this because the study suggests dogs are masters at picking up social cues from their owners and are trying to empathize with them.

Wouldn’t that be amazing if that really was the case?  We are more connected to dogs than we (or they) realize.

On the flip side, yawning can also mean a dog is stressed and that they are showing that by yawning.  This can be from observing their owner’s tense or stressed state.

I find it very interesting that dogs can take cues from people and possibly sympathize with us.  I know that dogs are very observant.  Sasha will sense when I am sad or tired or in need of cuddles.  She will jump up on the couch beside me, put her sweet face in my lap and let out a content sigh and fall asleep, which quickly turns to cute little snores.  There is quite possibly nothing better than having an animal fall asleep, content in your lap.

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