Why Does My Maltipoo Keep Yawning?

Yawning in Maltipoos is an involuntary reflex that involves opening the mouth and taking a deep breath to fill the lungs. Humans and dogs alike both experience yawning, but the reason for yawning can't be identified entirely. Several theories have been developed to explain the common occurrence of yawning, and we'll discuss those below.

Why Do Dogs Yawn?

Even though yawning can't be pinned down to one single cause, we have several resources and studies that suggest there are several different reasons your Maltipoo may yawn. But don't worry, many of these are not cause for concern. In fact, most yawning is relatively harmless (Yawning could be painful if your Maltipoo suffers from a medical condition) and may very well serve as a form of communication! All good things.

Your Maltipoo could be yawning for one or multiple of the following reasons:

• Tiredness

Unlike humans who thrive on a healthy 7-9 hours of sleep each night, the average Maltipoo needs about 12-14 hours of sleep per day. To get the proper amount of sleep, your Maltipoo might take a healthy 8 hours at night accompanied by several daytime naps. If your house is particularly disruptive and noisy, or your Maltipoo had a busy day following the family for an adventure in the park, they will start to feel drowsy, worn out, and tired. If your Maltipoo is yawning a lot near bedtime or after a big activity, it might be time for him to get his nap in for the day.

• Indifference

The Maltipoo being a small breed dog leaves him less equipped to handle any kind of altercation or physical fight. Frequently if your Maltipoo keeps yawning when faced with an aggressive or overly assertive Maltipoo (or other dogs), he will yawn to pacify the offending dog. Yawns can be offered as a sign of indifference, communicating the lack of interest in the conflict. Yawning in this manner can prevent a dangerous situation from escalating further.

• Confusion

Maltipoos can suffer from confusion. This confusion is often seen when they are taught something complex like obedience training. It's not uncommon to see dogs yawn during a training session. During the phase where a new command is introduced, you might find that your Maltipoo takes a few repetitions to understand fully. The reason for confusion-based yawning is believed to be a way of relieving some of the pressure, reducing tension in the face, taking a deep breath, encouraging oxygen to circulate will help your Maltipoo relax, refresh the brain, and focus on the task at hand.

• Stress

Suppose your Maltipoo is yawning excessively before a vet visit or other events known to trigger stress. In that case, it's entirely possible that the yawning is in anticipation of the stressful situation that lies ahead. That same release of pressure when the muscles are tensed and then relaxed can help your dog cope when he's worried or anxious about what's going to happen next. Increasing the oxygen intake with the large deep breaths of yawning also naturally prepares your Maltipoo to fuel his muscles and brain with oxygen-rich blood in preparation for "fight or flight" mode if something awful were to happen.

• Excitement

We already know yawning is a somewhat calming sensation meant to soothe or ease a Maltipoo when they face difficult situations. But what about excitement? Like stressful situations, the extreme excitement in anticipation of an activity can be overwhelming. Often Maltipoos will pace and circle excitedly, crying and whining. During this excitement, Maltipoos will yawn when they know something great is coming their way. If your Maltipoo keeps yawning, this can be a way of tempering their excitement and staying calm enough before that excitement bubbles over.

Are Yawns Contagious?

Beyond the situational yawning your Maltipoo may exhibit, you may be surprised that your Maltipoo can actually catch a yawn from another dog or even another human. Yawning is known to be contagious among people and dogs, and as a result, you'll often see your Maltipoo Yawn in response to someone (or some-pup) yawning nearby. Some forms of yawning are just a normal part of life and can be attributed to your dog showing empathy for others around them.

When does excessive yawning become a concern?

Yawning is not an alarming behavior in itself. Still, when you notice your Maltipoo keeps yawning, and it seems excessive, it might be time to remove your pup from the situation, giving them time to recuperate.

When your Maltipoo yawns excessively in the home, you may need to watch closely to evaluate any potential triggers and identify the cause. Stress in Maltipoos can be attributed to any change in the environment. An absence of a family member, loss of a pet, new pets in the home, or moving to a new home are common reasons your Maltipoo may be stressed in the home environment. 

If this is the case, offering comfort items (stuffed animals, familiar smelling shirts/blankets or toys) as well as providing distractions and activities can ease your Maltipoo into the changes around them and make for an easier transition, putting an end to the frequent yawning.