Why Does My German Shepherd Yawn So Much? (7 Reasons)

  • By: Justin
  • Date: January 10, 2023
  • Time to read: 7 min.

Experts have considered German Shepherds to be among the most active dogs. They can, however, sometimes yawn excessively. 

You may be wondering, “why does my German shepherd yawn so much?”

Some of the reasons why your German Shepherd may yawn more than usual include anxiety, boredom, or even excitement. They could also yawn when stressed or when they feel threatened and want to avoid conflict. If your dog is yawning more than normal, it’s important to take note of other behaviors and body language cues to determine the cause. 

Read on to find out other reasons why your German Shepherd may be yawning excessively, and what you can do about it.

Why Does My German Shepherd Yawn So Much?

Reasons Why Your German Shepherd Yawn So Much?

Here are some of the most common reasons why your German Shepherd yawns:

1. Anxiety

Anxiety is a common reason why dogs yawn excessively. If your dog is anxious, they may pace back and forth, have their tail between their legs, or avoid eye contact. 

So, if you suspect your dog is yawning due to anxiety, it is important to try and reduce their stressors. This may include providing more exercise, mental stimulation, and positive reinforcement training.

https://twitter.com/gsdloverpage/status/1489202072184442886

2. Boredom

Dogs that are bored often yawn to release excess energy. 

If your German Shepherd is yawning excessively and also showing other signs of boredom, such as chewing on furniture or finding new ways to escape the yard, they may be in need of more mental and physical stimulation. 

Try increasing the difficulty of their training exercises, taking them on longer walks or hikes, and adding new toys to their repertoire.

3. Excitement

It’s not just humans that yawn when they’re excited – dogs can too.

If your German Shepherd is yawning and wagging their tail, they may be trying to tell you they’re excited about something. 

This could be anything from going for a walk to meeting new people or animals.

4. Stress

Dogs can yawn when they’re stressed just like humans. 

If your dog keeps yawning and showing such signs as drooling, panting, or shaking, they may be feeling stressed.

Dogs can feel stress for a variety of reasons such as being in a new environment, having too much change in their routine, or even separation anxiety. 

Try and identify the source of their stress and take steps to reduce it. This may include providing a safe space such as a crate, increasing the amount of exercise they get, or desensitizing them to the things that cause their stress.

5. Threat Avoidance

Sometimes dogs yawn when they feel threatened and want to avoid conflict.

If your German Shepherd is yawning around other dogs or people, and also showing signs of fear such as cowering, tucking their tail, or hiding behind you, they may be feeling threatened.

6. They Are Tired

Just like us, sometimes German Shepherds yawn because they are tired.

If your dog is yawning and showing other signs of fatigue such as sleeping more, being less active, or having a decrease in appetite, they may simply need more rest. 

Make sure they are getting enough exercise and try to stick to a regular sleep schedule.

7. Frustration

While not as common as some of the other reasons on this list, frustration can also cause dogs to yawn excessively.

If your dog is yawning and showing signs such as pawing at you, whining, or barking, they may need help learning how to better cope with their emotions. 

This can be done through positive reinforcement training, and providing them with more opportunities to exercise both their body and mind.

8. Changes In Diet

This is another possible reason for excessive yawning that is often overlooked. If your German Shepherd’s diet has changed recently, it could be the cause of their excessive yawning.

Dogs can be sensitive to changes in their diet and may experience digestive issues such as gas or bloating. 

Try sticking to a more bland diet and slowly introducing new foods to see if that helps reduce the amount your dog is yawning.

As you can see, there are a variety of reasons why your German Shepherd may be yawning excessively.

If you’re concerned about their health, it’s always best to consult with a veterinarian to rule out any medical conditions.

Is It Normal For A Dog To Yawn A Lot?

While it is normal for a dog to yawn occasionally, excessive yawning can be a sign of stress or anxiety. 

If your dog is yawning more than usual, it’s important to take note of other signs they may be showing such as panting, drooling, shaking, or hiding.

These can all be indicative of a more serious problem that should be addressed by a veterinarian.

You want to be especially mindful of excessive yawning if your dog is also showing signs of fear or stress.

If you’re unsure of what might be causing your dog’s stress, it’s best to consult with a professional trainer or behaviorist.

Check out this related article: Are German Shepherd allowed on planes?

Do Dogs Yawn To Show Affection?

Yawning can be contagious, even for dogs. If you yawn around your dog, they may start to yawn too.

 If your dog yawns when you yawn, it is a sign that they trust you and feel comfortable around you. 

It’s a way for them to show their affection for you, and let you know that they feel safe in your presence.

So, yes dogs can yawn to show affection, but it’s important to remember that yawning can also be a sign of other things such as stress or anxiety.

What To Do About Your German Shepherd Yawning A Lot

If you are concerned about your German Shepherd yawning excessively, here are some of the things you can do:

Rule out Health Problems

The first thing you want to do is rule out any potential health problems that could be causing your dog to yawn excessively.

 This can be done by taking them to the veterinarian for a check-up.

Some medical conditions that can cause excessive yawning include:

  • Allergies
  • Anemia
  • Dental disease
  • Heart disease
  • Hypogyny

Take note of other signs they are showing such as panting, drooling, shaking, or hiding. 

These can all be indicative of a more serious problem that should be addressed by a veterinarian.

Identify Potential Sources Of Stress

If your dog is showing signs of stress or anxiety, it’s important to try to identify the potential source of their stress.

 This could be anything from being in a new environment to having too much change in their routine.

check out this related post: Do German Shepherds need blankets?

Find Ways To Help Them Cope

Once you’ve identified the potential source of your dog’s stress, you can start to look for ways to help them cope.

This can be done through positive reinforcement training, and providing them with more opportunities to exercise both their body and mind.

Make Them Comfortable

Be sure to make your dog as comfortable as possible. 

This includes providing them with a safe space to relax, plenty of toys and chew items, and ensuring they have a consistent routine.

Be Consistent

You want to be consistent with your dog in order to help them feel safe and secure.

This means having a consistent routine, providing them with the same type of food and treats, and being consistent with rules and expectations.

why does my german shepherd always yawn

German Shepherd Yawning FAQ

Why Does My Dog Keep Whining And Yawning?

Whining and yawning can be signs of frustration, stress, or anxiety.

If your dog is yawning and whining more than usual, look for signs of stress.

Furthermore, make sure to consult with a professional if you’re unsure of what might be causing the problem.

Why Does My Dog Keep Yawning And Stretching?

Tiredness is often the cause of a dog yawning and stretching.

So, if your dog seems to be yawning and stretching more than usual, make sure they are getting enough exercise and sleep.

Why Does My Dog Yawn When I Rub It’s Belly?

If your dog yawns when you pet them or rub their belly, it’s a sign that they are enjoying the attention and feel comfortable around you.

Additionally, It’s a way for them to show their affection for you.

Should I Be Worried If My Dog Keeps Yawning?

Yawning is normal behavior for dogs, but if your dog is yawning more than usual, it could be a sign of an underlying health issue.
If you’re concerned about your dog’s excessive yawning, consult with a professional.

Final Thoughts

If your German Shepherd is yawning excessively, it’s important to rule out any potential health problems and identify any sources of stress or anxiety.

There are many things you can do to help your dog feel more comfortable and relaxed.

Such as, providing them with a safe space, being consistent, and finding ways to help them exercise both their body and mind.

If you’re unsure of what might be causing your dog’s excessive yawning, it is always advisable to consult with a professional.

I hope this article helped you better understand why your German Shepherd might be yawning a lot and what you can do about it. 

Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions or concerns.

Justin- Writer & Chief Editor of Bestwatchdogs.com

(Author)

Justin is a protection dog enthusiast. He has years of experience teaching and training dogs. He enjoys sharing what he’s learned. Read More

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