My dog always seems to yawn right after I do. Is it contagious?
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and then
It definitely seems like dog yawns are contagious! While we don’t fully understand the exact mechanism, it’s thought to be related to empathy and social bonding.
Empathy and Mirror Neurons: Just like humans, dogs have mirror neurons in their brains. These neurons fire both when a dog performs an action and when they observe another individual (dog or human) performing the same action. This mirroring system might explain why dogs often yawn in response to their human’s yawns. It’s a way for them to empathize and connect with us on a deeper level.
Social Learning: Yawning can also be a form of social learning. Dogs might learn to associate yawning with relaxation and calmness. When they see their human yawn, they might interpret it as a signal to relax and unwind, leading them to yawn in response.