Hi, I have a 2 yr old golden retriever and I have been noticing recently that she has been yawning quite a lot, not just at normal times, like when she has just woken up but all throughout the day (and quite often) I only think I have noticed it because I am with her all day, my husband says he hasnt really noticed anything (but then again, he isnt the most observant of people!)
I just wondered if anyone knew of any reasons why she would suddenly start to do this? Everything I have read seems to say that yawning is a calming signal and they do it when they are nervous and anxious, but I just know that this cant be the case, she is a very happy dog, she is so laid back she is almost horizontal! she just cant be stressed! She has a very comfortable and happy doggy life! AND she has only just started doing this, and nothing that I can think of has changed that could possibly make her anxious. Could it be a medical thing? I keep trying to take peeks down her throat as I maybe thought she was trying to dislodge something (they are very quick yawns, not in the normal stretching way) but from what I can see, all seems normal.

any ideas anyone?

Many thanks in advance

Shannon

I have read that too, that dogs yawn when they are stressed, but my goldie yawns a lot as well and if thats the we his family must really stress him out and i know thats not that case as all other body language indicate differently.

I would be wondering is  she has toothache or something hurting.

That would also be my first thought Brainless ;) Especially if it is a recent thing.

Perhaps a quick checkup at the Vet would do no harm ;)

Once any medical prob's have been ruled out, then these are my (probably useless) :rolleyes: observations on yawns.

One of my dogs is also of the horizontal attitude to life sort, even guns going off, firework night and 4ft singing swinging reindeers don't upset his happy existance but whenever I'm late feeding him, the manical yawning comes into play. He'll do it in my face, complete with tremouring head just to make his point. If my little minx who knows she's Alpha, gives him a hard time for any reason (she really doesn't need one):rolleyes: then he'll also do it to her. If we have a disagreement in the family, he'll also display it.

It's an appeasing behaviour IMO but also is done when he starts to get aggitated.

My bitch doesn't do it nearly as often and when she does, it's normally at me when I have to unclamp her teeth from his face.

I've had dogs in the past that didn't have such a happy start to their lifes, yet didn't yawn like him.

So in my limited experience of observing my different dogs behaviour over the years, to me, it seems that the more Alpha they are in status, the less likely they are to yawn in any given situations. :)

No doubt there will be others who have had differing experiences.

Thanks everyone for your opinions on this...I have had a good feel and look about in her mouth (with an assistant holding a torch!) and I cant see any aggravation or anything that looks abnormal in there (she was also knawing on a raw marrow bone last night, and didnt seem to be in any pain) but I will certainly mention it to the vet and ask her to have a look as we are due in next week anyway.

Thanks Hairypooch for your observations, I am still trying to think of anything that could have caused her to be even remotely anxious or unsettled, as although she is a very happy girl, she is still quite sensitive to changes (not in a particularly nevous way,) but she notices absolutely EVERYTHING, but nothing has even changed in the house or with us at all.
As soon as I rule out any medical problem then I will be happier...but as long as she is still as ravenous as ever and is still playing like a lunatic, they cant be TOO much wrong with her I guess??

Hi Shannon,

Excessive yawning, licking of the lips or "air licking" can also be signs of GI discomfort either temporary or resulting from an undetected problem so although all may appear OK on inspecting her teeth, tongue, gums etc. it's certainly worth discussing further with your vet.

Hopefully it's nothing to be alarmed about :)  Best wishes, Teri

My eldest girl yawns a lot, when she's feeling nauseous. That, combined with licking her lips and a general apperance of discomfort, is the first sign of her feeling sick. Nine times out of ten she will throw up within ten minutes, and then she's fine again. Noticed you saying your girl is always hungry. Maybe an empty stomach makes her feel ill, it can sometimes. Could be worth trying, giving her a doggy-biscuit, to see if it helps.
It doesn't sound too serius, though, if she's eating and plaing like she normally does. Never hurt to have a check up at the vet's, though.
Good luck!
Karen