CockersOnline Forum

Cocker Specific Discussion => General Cocker Spaniel Discussion => Topic started by: leisl on February 16, 2007, 10:04:15 PM

Title: Does your cocker.......
Post by: leisl on February 16, 2007, 10:04:15 PM
Yawn?

I have notice recently during Muppets waking hours she is constantly yawning.  She does not have a particularly taxing day.  Sofa, bed, sofa bed, 3 miles on the bicycle, sofa, bed.

I swear she had sleeping sickness but I am pretty sure we have not been to Africa recently.

She yawns about once every 10 mins.  Lazy dog. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Title: Re: Does your cocker.......
Post by: lexi on February 16, 2007, 10:16:43 PM
Holly yawns a lot, much more than Byron. (Maybe it's an orange thing!) ;)
She's also an expert in sighing...
Sorry, I can't tell you if it's due to boredom or fatigue. :D
Title: Re: Does your cocker.......
Post by: Shelley on February 16, 2007, 10:21:39 PM
Yes mine yawn ;)
Title: Re: Does your cocker.......
Post by: Abby on February 16, 2007, 10:24:29 PM
Clive has two very distinct yawns - one when he is generally tired, or just waking up, and the other which is frustration. This generally happens when he's not getting his own way  :005:

Used to happen all the time when we were lead training him  ::)
Title: Re: Does your cocker.......
Post by: Max X 2 on February 16, 2007, 11:26:34 PM
Yes Max always yawns.  On our early morning walk he'll often yawn with a shake of his head too.  :luv:
Mind you he does sigh alot too  :005:
Title: Re: Does your cocker.......
Post by: Annette on February 17, 2007, 12:16:32 AM
Dog yawn for other reasons too.

I think it is Jean Donaldson who explains that they use yawning as an appeasement signal too. Buddy often yawns when we do any close, face to face petting. I think it's a sign that he is becoming a bit uncomfortable with the direct attention, so I usually look away, or back off.

I also read somewhere else that by doing a full, eyes closed yawn myself is a good way of relaxing him. I only did it once: I didn't really enjoy his tongue reaching the back of my throat!!!
Title: Re: Does your cocker.......
Post by: Cob-Web on February 17, 2007, 09:01:35 AM
Yawning, lip-licking and other behaviours have been defined by Turid Rugaas (a Scandinavian dog trainer) as what she calls calming signals - there are loads of books and articles if you are interested, but this is one of my favourites:  ;)

http://www.lonewolfkennels.com/calming.html
Title: Re: Does your cocker.......
Post by: Lee67 on February 17, 2007, 09:29:22 AM
Yep! Poppy is always yawning too!  ;)
Title: Re: Does your cocker.......
Post by: GingerLeo on February 17, 2007, 10:06:10 AM
Leo's got all different yawns, i like his 'will you hurry up and take me out' yawn. He almost swallows his head andthen lets out this high pitched noise to go with it.

Impatient little b*****  ;)
Title: Re: Does your cocker.......
Post by: cazza on February 17, 2007, 11:32:03 AM
Yawning, lip-licking and other behaviours have been defined by Turid Rugaas (a Scandinavian dog trainer) as what he calls calming signals - there are loads of books and articles if you are interested, but this is one of my favourites:  ;)

http://www.lonewolfkennels.com/calming.html

I'm interested, I've just bought Jean Donaldson's book, can you recommend others?
Title: Re: Does your cocker.......
Post by: bernie on February 17, 2007, 12:39:51 PM

Ruby usually yawns when she has done something naughty (like when I find her in the middle of  pulling a new roll of toilet paper to pieces.... again) and I tell her off or she is anticipating that she might be told off, I have always taken it to mean that she is feeling uneasy/feeling guilty or maybe she is just fed up having to stop in the middle of doing something fun. :005:
Title: Re: Does your cocker.......
Post by: Cob-Web on February 17, 2007, 12:49:05 PM
Turid Rugaas (who is not a "he" as I put in my last post, sorry  ph34r) has written a book:

On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals - it is available from Amazon and has a good review but it's not one I have read myself  ;)

Other links I have bookmarked include:

http://www.canis.no/rugaas/onearticle.php?artid=1
http://www.carolark.com/calming2.html (she has a cocker with her in the picture on this site  ;))
http://www.takingthelead.co.uk/2/Commun/calm.htm
http://www.canis.no/rugaas/gallery.php (this is a gallery of pictures, illustrating the different signals)

But not everyone agree's - there is some critisism of her book and principles too:

http://www.kateconnick.com/library/rugaascalming.html

Title: Re: Does your cocker.......
Post by: leisl on February 17, 2007, 12:55:00 PM
Yeap, we do a lot of sighing too.  Looked at that calming thing and whilst it is interesting I am not sure I whole heartedly agree as Muppet is never in a frightening, confrontational situation when she is doing it so maybe back to the drawing board with that one..    I also agree with annette in so much as Muppet can be miles away when I stretch and yawn but it is normally interupted with a furry nose in my mouth!
Title: Re: Does your cocker.......
Post by: Cob-Web on February 17, 2007, 01:06:55 PM
Yeap, we do a lot of sighing too.  Looked at that calming thing and whilst it is interesting I am not sure I whole heartedly agree as Muppet is never in a frightening, confrontational situation when she is doing it so maybe back to the drawing board with that one..    I also agree with annette in so much as Muppet can be miles away when I stretch and yawn but it is normally interupted with a furry nose in my mouth!

As a calming signal, yawning is said to be a response to stress rather than fear/confrontation - the examples used are when at an obedience class or in the vets waiting room - or even being hugged tightly  ;)
Title: Re: Does your cocker.......
Post by: LoveCatz on February 17, 2007, 03:28:51 PM
Both mine yawn - Pepsi rather noisily at times  :005: She is also the Queen of large sighs and dirty looks  :shades:
Title: Re: Does your cocker.......
Post by: leisl on February 17, 2007, 04:50:30 PM

As a calming signal, yawning is said to be a response to stress rather

Oh no, I can feel a large bill coming on.  Looks like Mupps needs therapy as she is stressed by the beanbag, the sofa and BBC2!   :005: