Yawning is a common behavior for dogs, just as it is for humans. It can have many meanings, ranging from a simple need to stretch to a calming signal to communicate with other dogs or humans.

Dogs can yawn for a variety of reasons...

Fatigue

Unsurprisingly, just like humans, dogs yawn when they're tired or sleepy. This may be a sign that they need to rest or sleep.

Stress

Yawning can also be a sign of stress or anxiety in dogs. If your dog yawns frequently in stressful situations, he may express discomfort and seek to calm down.

A means of communication

Dogs sometimes use yawning as a way to communicate with other dogs or humans. It can be a calming signal to defuse a tense situation or simply a way to express their emotional state.

Calming signals are behaviors that dogs use to communicate peaceful intent and avoid conflicts (Learn more about dog calming signals...).

Yawning is one of these calming signals and can be used in the following situations:

• If a dog feels threatened or intimidated by another dog, it may yawn to indicate that it does not want conflict. This signal can help prevent fighting and keep the peace between dogs.
  
  
• If you approach your dog and he yawns, it can be a sign that he is feeling vulnerable.
  
  
• Dogs may yawn to self-soothe themselves when they are stressed or anxious. Yawning can help them relax and refocus.

When watching your dog yawn, it's important to consider the context in which they're in to determine how best to respond. Evaluate the situation and try to determine if your dog is yawning due to fatigue, stress, or to communicate with you or another dog. Pay close attention to their body language and surrounding circumstances.

Respond with empathy, if your dog yawns to express stress or discomfort, show support. Avoid forcing them to deal with the stressful situation and give them the space they need to feel safe.