why do dogs yawn when they are happy/excited?

Question

I especially notice it while they are wildly wagging their tails and waiting for me to put on my shoes for a walk.

Answer 1

It's a calming signal (usually)

DEFINITION: That doesn't mean they're calming down as in going to fall asleep.. it means they're NOT YET calm and are trying to calm themselves (OR OTHERS) down. They do this for themselves or many of the times for others in the pack (you're part of the pack of course). Shaking their whole body, licking their lips or nose, sitting, sniffing the ground or air, etc. these are all calming signals and are good things.

They could be too excited, and they're trying to calm themselves.. or they could be stressed.. or freaked out about their surroundings. When they do give the calming signal, that usually means they either are or going to be very shortly a bit calmer than the point at which they were before they gave the signal. (or that they're trying.. but usually it bumps them down a notch) - but totally depends on the dog. Ours is a nutcase.. she can give a calming signal and then 1/2 second later be a complete spaz again.

YOU CAN GIVE CALMING SIGNALS TOO: You can give your dog calming signals to encourage them to calm down. If your dog is uncomfortable with it's surroundings, it can actually help for you to yawn or stretch.. they will see you do it and it will rub off on them.. knowing that their master is showing calming signals. Yawning does this also. It may not happen over night., but if you do it often enough, they'll actually get used to it and put two and two together and respond quicker in the future.

USUALLY they're not doing it because they're bored or tired. Bored is when they lower their head to the floor, sigh with disgust and their nose starts twitching coz they can't sit still for longer than 2 seconds - at least that's my dog! LOL ;)

This is a pretty important concept to understand.. dogs give so much communication aside from barking - every dog owner should know these things. And CALMING SIGNALS are the most important to know. (in my opinion)

I found a web site if you're interested. It was the first one that popped up when I typed in calming signals in google. And it summed up everything pretty well.

http://www.lonewolfkennels.com/calming.html

VERY good question - very few people notice things like this!

Answer 2

Dog's yawn often a sign of stress

The Veterinary Information Network

Does your dog yawn at the veterinary office? It's more likely he's stressed than bored or sleepy. Dogs yawn both to charge themselves up and calm themselves down.

A yawn increases the flow of oxygen and boosts the heart rate -- actions that give the brain a wake-up call. If you go to a canine agility competition, you'll often spot dogs yawning at the starting line while waiting for the signal to race for the first obstacle. You'll also see dogs yawning at the veterinarian's as well — a sure sign that they're stressed and trying to calm themselves.

In training classes, dog owners will often interpret a yawn as a sign the dog is bored. Not so, argues Turid Rugaas, author of "On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals" and a popular lecturer on canine body language. The dog who's yawning in obedience class is more likely stressed than bored, either from nervousness or from wanting to please, but not yet understanding how.

Just as with humans, yawning can be contagious to dogs. If you catch your dog's attention and yawn, you may well get a yawn back. Some experienced dog handlers actually use this to their advantage, training their dogs to yawn on cue as a way to get them either focused or relaxed.

By the way: We bet you yawned while reading this section.

Answer 3

Mine yawns when you make a fuss over her she gets shy. She yawns then starts rubbing her head on the floor & turns over on her back then goes like a bullet all over the house into the garden then back again!! shes not stressed at all when she yawns!
So yeah I think they do it whn they are excited

Answer 4

Yawning is many times a sign of stress, or it can be excitement, it helps to calm themselves down.

Answer 5

My dog does that too. Seems like a happy reaction to them for some reason. Who knows. Let's just be glad they love us and are thrilled to see us. I know I'm equally as happy to have a true friend.

Answer 6

Training your dog will be a huge part of your interaction with him for the first few months. Learn here https://tr.im/crAOY
This includes housetraining, leash training, obedience training, socialization, and problem solving. In addition to providing your dog with needed skills, this time will also be a great opportunity for you to bond with him. Take the time to really get to know your pet while training him and a loving relationship will easily develop.

Answer 7

Dogs Yawn

Answer 8

CUZ THEY WANT TO GET KISSED

Answer 9

THEY ARE TIRED