Allen Wags & Woolies

07/12/2026

07/12/2026

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THE YAWN - SLEEPY OF SELF SOOTHING?

Sometimes there’s far more to a yawn than being tired, just woken up or bored.

The yawn is one of the most commonly misunderstood signs in dog body language.

While dogs do yawn when they are tired, yawning is also used as a calming signal - to navigate social situations, self-regulate emotions, avoid conflict or communicate peaceful intentions.

The concept of yawning as a calming signal is credited to Norwegian dog behaviourist - Turid Rugaas, who observed that dogs frequently yawn in situations not related to sleep or fatigue.

A yawn in a dog that isn’t triggered by being tired is usually longer, more intense, mouth opened wide or with the tongue curled up at the end.

Neuroscience shows that yawning is also triggered during moments of transition from one behavioural state to another, like waking up, falling asleep, moving from boredom to alertness or from an anxious to a calm state of mind.

Yawning can also be contagious. Dogs can "catch" yawns from people or other dogs. Research suggests that contagious yawning may be linked to social bonding and emotional connection. Dogs are more likely to yawn in response to people that they know.

Although we may be completely unaware of it, we also use types of calming signals.

Think about how we may behave when in a situation that doesn’t allow enough personal space, like getting into an elevator with a group of strangers. We may instinctively use the body language of not facing anyone directly, will look down at the floor, watch the indicator buttons, focus on our phone or avoid eye contact - these are all “calming signals” that people might use.

If you notice more yawning than usual, or yawning in a specific situation, look into what may be causing this.

Yawning can provide important clues to our dog's emotional state.

The more we learn to recognize these subtle signals, the better equipped we are to understand, support and advocate for our dogs.

07/12/2026

Fun Fact Friday (Canine Edition) - On average, a one-year-old puppy is as physically mature as an adolescent teen. However, large dogs age faster than small dogs.

07/12/2026

LOST DOG IN NIXA AREA

Our dog has been missing. since July 3, he’s been spotted at the nixa community center. and in the area of Fremont and Trevor. If anybody sees him, can you please call me at 417?) 860.-9261. My name is Lewis thank you

MELISSA BOYETT

07/11/2026

***NEWLY LISTED FOR ADOPTION!***
Donnie in GA - Sweet & Well-Mannered!

This sweet, 1-year-old boy came to us from Alabama, where he was found chained to a house, skinny and neglected. But you'd never know it from the happy, gentle soul he is today. He has excellent house manners and a playful, moderate activity level. Plus, he's a total social butterfly who adores meeting new people, and he gets along beautifully with dogs of all sizes and genders, cats (though he's pretty indifferent), children, and even chickens!

*** Learn more about Donnie at nationalpyr.org/adoptable-dogs/donnie

07/11/2026

LOOK AWAY

Looking away is part of a group of calming signals of body language – used by dogs in an attempt to reduce tension or conflict, communicate peaceful intent or help themselves, other animals or people to feel calmer.

Just like a hard stare or prolonged eye contact may be a precursor to a dog that’s about to react, looking away is intended to calm a situation down.

As with most body language, context is always relevant. It’s always important to look at the specific situation and what the rest of the body is doing when deciphering body language.

Dogs also look away for other reasons—they may have heard a sound, caught a scent, or something else has caught their attention.

Body language can be subtle and fleeting, but with careful observation and knowing what to look for most of us can learn to recognize and interpret what our dogs are saying

Being able to understand a dog’s emotional state helps to predict behaviour, prevent potential problems before they happen or just allows us to enjoy observing their unique way of communicating.

The look away is the wisdom of a dog that chooses to create calm over conflict.