"This attachment can shape the dog's responses in a way similar to humans, that is, to be more sensitive to a familiar yawn than to a stranger." So: It isn't too much of a stretch to say that your dog yawns when you yawn because it loves you.
The answer is that dogs will fake yawn for a variety of reasons. It might be they are echoing your behavior and mirroring what you do in order to fit in. However, another important reason dogs fake yawn is because they are anxious or fearful. To prove a point, watch the dogs in a vet's waiting room.
A study outlined in the New York Times found that dogs can “catch” yawns from humans, which researchers believe may be a sign of bonding between canines and people. So, if you notice your dog yawning, it might just be because they're taking a cue from you.
Dogs will yawn in response to another dog yawning, and they will also yawn in response to humans yawning, especially if it's a human they know very well. Many believe this is a sign that dogs are empathetic to both fellow canines and humans alike.
Taken together, experts believe that contagious yawning may be a social communication tool specific to higher-order animals. In the context of the brain-cooling theory of yawning, perhaps yawning evolved to become contagious as a means to increase the cognitive performance and vigilance of people within a group.
Simply put, dogs yawn when they are stressed. According to Turid Rugaas, Norwegian behaviorist and author of On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals, yawning is one of many signals dogs use to calm themselves when they are stressed or uneasy. A dog could feel stressed when: Entering a veterinary clinic.
It is your dog's attempt to "wake" things up and get ready for the day. Some dogs adopt yawning noises as a means to gain their owner's attention. Our ears are naturally attuned to pick up on sounds, and our dogs quickly learn that the quickest way to gain an audience with us by making noise.
Stress. Most trainers and behaviorists will advise owners to watch out for signs of stress in their dogs, and one of these signs is often excessive yawning. This is accurate information, as dogs do seem to yawn when they are feeling anxious.
Why does my dog keep yawning and stretching? It's believed that dogs yawn and stretch for similar reasons as we humans do! Humans and hounds alike will most often yawn and stretch after waking up or after a rest. It's a sign of the body shifting from a relaxed state to an awake and alert one.
The mere sight of another person yawning causes many of us to open our mouths wide in mimicry. And we're not alone—other social animals, such aschimpanzees and lions, can also catch so-called contagious yawns. It's likely that all vertebrates yawn spontaneously to regulate inner body processes.
Your dog might be anxious during the ride because they're nauseous. Motion sickness can happen in dogs just the same as humans. If your dog is nauseous, they might be drooling excessively, yawning, lip smacking, or whining.
They Are Excited Dogs will often yawn when you pet with or talk to them. This is not because they are bored with you, but they are just so happy you give them attention. This might also happen when you are about to take them for a walk or driving to a dog park.