😲 Dog Sneezing Means WHAT?!

Your Dog’s Sneeze Means A Lot More Than You Think…

A few days ago I came across this post on Instagram, illuminating me to the fact that dogs often sneeze to let humans and other dogs know they’re friendly, and to signal that playing won’t turn into fighting.  This kind of sneeze is called a “calming signal.”  A calming signal is a behavior that dogs use to communicate when they are feeling stressed or uncomfortable and want to de-escalate a situation:

I had never heard about dogs sneezing for any reason other than a tickle or nasal congestion.  The Instagram post didn’t cite a source, so I had to do some digging on calming signals. Through various sources including this incredible group out of Milwaukee, here’s what I found out about sneezing and “calming signals” in dogs.

Sneezing As A Calming Signal

Sneezing is a calming signal that dogs use to communicate that they are comfortable or ready to play. It can also be a way to signal submission or to de-escalate a potential conflict. Dogs may sneeze in a series of quick, non-congested sneezes. 

Other calming signals that dogs may use include:

• Yawning

• Lip licking

• Turning their head to the side

• Paw raises

• Sniffing

• Looking away

• Showing whale eye (whites of the eyes)

• Play bowing

• Walking slowly

• Freezing (being still)

That seemed a little too simplistic so I did some more digging on visual communication cues in dogs:

That led me a study called Analysis of the intraspecific visual communication in the domestic dog (Canis familiaris): A pilot study on the case of calming signals.

This study suggests that certain visual cues in dogs—like particular gestures and behaviors—might play a role in easing tensions between them. But dog communication is nuanced, shaped by factors like emotion, body language, and individual traits. This research only scratches the surface; more in-depth studies are needed to reveal how each signal works, how cues differ across dog breeds and personalities, and how they affect interactions.

So, visual cues are layered, and dog behavior is more complex than it might seem—thanks, science! But is there more to sneezing than just a play signal or a simple sign of illness? You bet. What I found opened a whole Pandora's box of the surprising, complex language of dog sneezes.

Sneezing As A Vote??

Say hello to the African wild dog. These dogs are the kings and queens of the dog sneeze.

This 2017 Study studied sneezing in African wild dogs and it turns out, sneezing is serious business. When it’s time to move from a resting spot, they’ll hold “sneeze rallies.” A sneeze here and there rarely gets the whole group to leave, but with every failed attempt, the odds of a successful rally increase—by the third try, over 60% end in departure!

Native to places like Namibia and Botswana, these distant relatives of our pet dogs only head off to hunt when there’s a “sneeze quorum” at their pre-hunt rally.

In these rallies, the sneeze seems to act as a vote for moving, with dominant dogs having the final say. When a high-ranking dog initiates, just a few sneezes can get the pack going. But if a lower-ranking dog starts things, it might take ten sneezes to get everyone on board!

This “sneeze democracy” reveals a surprising social complexity. Despite a hierarchy where only the alpha pair’s pups survive and others help care for them, it turns out daily pack decisions are more democratic than they seem.

Who knew? Sneezing in dogs can mean “I’m sick,” “I’m stressed,” or “I’d like to vote on something.”

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Today’s Last Laugh:

Nala who?

@littleladdylarry

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