Yawning is contagious to dogs!

Discussion in 'Behaviour & Training' started by Jessi, May 17, 2012.

  1. Jessi

    Jessi Well-Known Member

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    I didn't know this!

    http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2012/05/dogs-feel-your-pain.html

    Go try it...does your dog yawn, too?
     
    Jessi, May 17, 2012
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  2. Jessi

    argon_0 Well-Known Member

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    Working on it. Shall let you know.
    That's an interesting article.There is no doubt a dog is really mans best friend.Their loyalty and love never ceases. I can imagine dogs having empathy enough to yawn with us.
    I was always led to believe though, dogs yawning was a calming signal when they were unsure or stressed.:confused:
     
    argon_0, May 17, 2012
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  3. Jessi

    Melody Well-Known Member

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    I noticed this with Sierra. It would be funny when I would yawn and then she would. It works the other way, too. I can get Misha to yawn, too. That's probably why I've been able to teach her "ask for dinner" which is the sound she makes when yawning. (Jack Russell's talk all the time.)

    Since this works with people, it sort of makes sense that it would work for dogs. They are so in tuned to us.
     
    Melody, May 17, 2012
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  4. Jessi

    argon_0 Well-Known Member

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    I tried a couple of times today at yawning and Mishka was looking at me wondering what I wanted. Maybe I should train her to yawn when I do? :confused:
     
    argon_0, May 17, 2012
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  5. Jessi

    zararina Well-Known Member

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    I am also not aware of that and have not observed that.
    I will try it tomorrow since he is already sleeping right now. ;)
    Maybe if I really feel sleepy and yawn it could work but if its a fake yawn, it won't. :p
     
    zararina, May 17, 2012
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  6. Jessi

    Jessi Well-Known Member

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    I wonder if it works the other way. If a dog yawns, are we more likely to feel the need to yawn, too?
     
    Jessi, May 17, 2012
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  7. Jessi

    argon_0 Well-Known Member

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    Well, I yawned and yawned and still Mishka did not return one. But when I talk to Mishka she will yawn. I still think dogs yawn, at least my dog ,when they are unsure. Maybe try it for yourself. Ask your dog a question using their name.
     
    argon_0, May 18, 2012
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  8. Jessi

    Jessi Well-Known Member

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    [​IMG]

    It looks like some of us have the dog on the far right who just doesn't care who else is yawning. ;)
     
    Jessi, May 19, 2012
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  9. Jessi

    argon_0 Well-Known Member

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    Cute photo. Thanks for sharing.:)
     
    argon_0, May 20, 2012
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  10. Jessi

    claudine Well-Known Member

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    I tried it today, I yawned a few times in front of Homer and...it didn't work. I wish it did, because it would be so funny. I guess he just isn't sleepy anymore, he spent most of the day sleeping.
     
    claudine, Aug 27, 2013
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