Why Huskies Yawn

Far from being a trait unique to humans, huskies can and do yawn. In fact, their yawn is not only similar to ours, it’s usually accompanied by the same characteristic sound. While we tend to associate yawning solely with fatigue, huskies may yawn for other reasons as well.

Your husky may yawn if he’s sleepy after you’ve gone on a long walk or played energetically together. Gently rub his ear and cuddle him when it’s time for a nap and he’ll also yawn. After he wakes up, fully rested, he may yawn again and even stretch to relax himself more.

Your husky may yawn repeatedly in a stressful situation, from sudden, unexpected sounds to being at the dog park or in an unknown area filled with strangers. This is his way of trying to calm himself down. He may even yawn repeatedly when he’s in the waiting room of your vet’s office because he’s feeling stressed.

Your husky may yawn to let other dogs know that he’s not a threat and has no intention of attacking them, thereby avoiding the possibility of any conflict erupting between them. He may even yawn if and when a stranger approaches him while you’re out for a walk. Why? His yawn is the polar opposite of a threat because it contains no elements of aggression, dominance or fear.

Your husky may yawn when he’s bored. Example: If you take your husky to the park and then simply sit on a bench far longer than he would like, he can get bored. After he’s sniffed all the scents in that area, no new people are passing by and/or you’re not interacting with him, he’ll begin to yawn. Hint, hint … he’s bored and would rather engage in something ever so much more interesting.

Your husky may yawn when he’s relaxed. Examples: You can see him yawn in his doggy bed even if he doesn’t intend to take a nap or settle down for a deeper sleep. You can see him yawn when he’s amusing himself by playing with one or more of his favorite toys. Yawning, in these instances, equals contentment, complete -- perhaps even enviable -- contentment.

Your husky may yawn when he’s excited. Since all dogs prefer being on a schedule – your husky will learn his very quickly – they’ll be “programmed” to know when it’s walk time, mealtime, playtime and bedtime. If, for example, you take your husky for a walk every morning before you leave for work, you can see him pacing, jumping, running in a circle and even yawning because he knows that he’ll soon be going outside – to exercise, sniff around, potty and burn off his husky energy.

Your husky may yawn when he’s confused. This applies more to a puppy than to an adult during your early training sessions together. Far from being a yawn of frustration, it’s one of confusion since he doesn’t yet understand what you want from him. Always remember that patience is key and carry on, slowly but surely, with the training.

Your husky may yawn when you yawn. Yes, yawning is indeed contagious -- even for dogs. Yawn and see if your husky yawns as well. Huskies will yawn after their owners do as a way of expressing empathy, but they won’t yawn if a stranger does!