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Originally Posted by diannenet  Every time we pick Toby up or love on him, he yawns..........and he doesn't just do it once, he does it several times while you are holding him unless he's sleeping. Just curious..........I was thinking maybe it's because he's nervous but he's always jumping up in our laps so you wouldn't think that would be the cause. |
It's most likely a sign that he's nervous - yawning is an "appeasement" signal.
Dogs do not see approaches the same way we do. In his mind, coming to you is a very different thing than you approaching him.
How big is he, btw? I've been told that "appeasement" behaviors are much more common in small dogs. Thor is super-submissive with me, even after almost two years. When he comes up to me he licks and smacks his lips like he just finished an ice cream cone.
Anyway, it's probably not a big deal. Maybe rather than picking him up or petting him, give him a signal that you want him to come to you (pat your lap, etc).