12 Signs Your Dog Loves You So Very Much
Do you wish you knew how much your dog loves you? How about 12 signs your dog loves you? You aren’t alone in wondering if your dog feels the same level of love for you that you feel for him.
Sure, you could ask other dog moms and dads, but there are some scientific studies that explain how dogs show love to humans. Amazingly, there are a variety of ways dogs show love to other animals.
You’re a pet parent, dog owner, mom or dad to your pup. To your dog, though, you are his whole world. I mean, what’s not to love about unconditional love, a wagging tail, and total devotion?! We want our furry family members to feel the same level of love for us as we do for them. Here are 12 signs your dog loves you. Oh and let us know if we missed any in the comments at the end.
Does My Dog Love Me?
One of the top canine scientists in the world says the true gift of dogs is their affection. Clive Wynne, a psychologist and founder of the Canine Science Collaboratory at Arizona State University, acknowledges that dogs are smart.
However, the ability for dogs to form affectionate relationships with other species, including you, is their greatest gift. They are man’s best friend, and woman’s best friend, too!
“Dogs fall in love much more easily than people do, and they also seem to be able to move on much more easily than people can,” Wynne says. “I’m not saying human and dog love are identical. I’m just saying there’s enough similarity between how dogs form strong emotional bonds and how people form strong emotional bonds that it’s fair enough to use the love word.”
Scientifically, Wynne thinks dogs polished their cognitive abilities by living with humans for over 15,000 years. Years ago, a scientific experiment was performed where dog parents pretended to have a heart attack. Ironically, their dogs didn’t react or try to “save them.” Participants interpreted this as a sign their dogs did not really love them.
Wynne’s reaction to this feedback is uncanny. He says, “Well, how are you supposed to know what to do under those circumstances?”
Dogs show us love, and the purest form of proof in the form of the hormone oxytocin. It is called the love hormone because the level goes up when two people are in love. This feel-good hormone is also evident when dogs bond with their humans. The human-dog bond is a very real connection.
A Japanese research group analyzed the levels of oxytocin in dogs’ and humans’ urine when they looked at one another. Amazingly, the oxytocin levels went up for the dogs and their people. True love is simply amazing and can be scientifically measured.
12 Signs Your Dog Loves You Very Much
Science is great, but you probably aren’t rushing out to a laboratory anytime soon to check your dog’s oxytocin levels when he looks at you. Here are 12 ways a dog shows their love to humans:
Your Dog Follows You Around
If you have a “Velcro” dog, congratulations. A dog with an innate desire to be next to you and by your side shows you love. Yes, he likely also is curious and wants to know what you are doing and where you are going. In a dog’s brain, this shadowing behavior indicates he loves you.
Some pet parents find it incredibly annoying to have a dog follow them around and others love it. I’m in the latter camp and am coming clean here. I haven’t peed alone for over three decades, as Cocker Spaniels love to be with their humans, and that includes following me to the bathroom. It’s a dog’s way of saying, hey you pee with me outside, so I will pee with you inddoors.
Your Dog Wags When He Sees You
Whether he has a stump, a long flowing tail, or doesn’t even have a tail on his back end, your dog will wiggle to and fro in your presence. Some tail wags can clear a coffee table, such as with Golden Retrievers or German Shepherds.
Dogs wag their tails to show a range of emotions: nervousness, fear, excitement, pain, and happiness. If your dog is wagging his tail in your company, he just can’t hold his emotions in. Dogs who are happy and feel good in the company of a human will often wag in response.
Your Dog Makes Eye Contact With You
You now know that science says the feel-good hormones go up when you and your dog look at each other, so believe it. Dogs can’t fake natural eye contact.
If you ever tried Facetime or Skype with your dog and they look away, don’t take it personally. Most dogs have no clue you are trying to talk to them and make eye contact. My dog used to get excited hearing my voice on Facetime when I traveled. Eventually, he realized I wasn’t there and went on to do something else. Dogs are like that.
“From the time they are puppies, dogs appear to be driven to establish eye contact with humans, which can be a marker of attachment,” according to Rebecca Greenstein, veterinarian and medical advisor for Rover.
Sometimes a dog can perceive a stare as a threat, as dogs may perceive that as a threat. A hard stare, unblinking eyes, and a stiff posture indicate the dog feels threatened. Dogs will often stare at their humans when they are trying to communicate something. Food? A toy is stuck? Time to potty? They love you?
Your Dog Displays Certain Facial Expressions
Dogs have special facial anatomy that allows them to engage in a variety of expressions. Dogs can raise their eyebrows and give you those “puppy dog eyes.” This is a clear sign you can look for in your dog.
Most mammals can produce facial expressions, but science decided to prove if dogs can really express emotions this way. In the canine experiment, a human was tending to the dogs or turning away from them. Sometimes she had food and other times she did not.
The results showed that dogs produced many more facial movements when the human was attentive to them than when she was not. The study concluded dogs are sensitive to a human’s attentional state when producing facial expressions. There’s no doubt you are your dog’s favorite human if these signs are starting to add up.
Start paying attention to the various facial expressions of your dog and when he displays them. Dogs who raise their eyebrows (one or both) while looking at you are showing signs of alertness and interest. Your loving dog is wondering what you are up to.
Your Dog’s Body Language
Does your dog ever lean against you or appear to snuggle by your side? Yeah, that’s love. Your dog loves you but also trusts you if he does this. Physical contact is a sign of affection, especially if your dog connects with you on his own terms. If the lean seems more fearful or nervous, he might be indicating anxiety, so pay attention to when and how he does this.
Rolling over is a common way dogs show trust and relaxation. They want you to know they completely adore you and it’s okay that you rub their tummy. The submissive ‘gimme belly rubs’ pose gives me butterflies in my tummy every single time.
Your Dog Brings You A Toy or Object
Does your dog ever greet you at the door and have something in his mouth on arriving home? Maybe it’s a favorite toy or a treat. He is so excited you are home; he is gifting you with something. If he’s meeting you at the front door the next time you arrive home, that’s canine love at its finest.
Maybe your dog even pees when excited. If you have a Cocker Spaniel, you know all about excitement piddle or glee pee. Dogs who just can’t control their sheer bliss at seeing you will display a whole range of behaviors and emotions.
Your Dog Gives You Kisses and Licks
Dogs will often lick and kiss their loved ones and favorite people to show affection. Sometimes they are grooming you because you are part of their pack Pretty cool, right?
Your Dog Loves Sleeping Near or By You
If your dog chooses to sleep in the same area, bed, or location as you, it could indicate a very strong bond of love. Dogs will often cuddle with their pack mates, and that includes you.
Your Dog Barks or Vocalizes Around You
Not all vocalizing or barking should be deterred. Dogs may whine or express themselves by barking, making noise, or trying to get your attention.
Your Dog Paws At You
We’ve all probably experienced a dog pawing at us. Sometimes it’s for attention, and other times, it’s their way of saying how much they love you. They may couple it with leaning into your body, too.
Your Dog Yawns In Your Presence
Nope, your dog is likely not bored with you. Dogs yawn for a variety of reasons, and that includes expressing comfort and trust in your presence. Now that’s love!
Your Dog Sniffs or Snuggles Your Scent
Do you ever watch your dog on a hidden camera while you are away? Dogs love to snuggle in our blankets, sheets, clothes, or even shoes. My Cocker Spaniel, Alvin, loves to put his snout in my bedroom slippers. They are breathing in your scent. Talk about puppy love!
Why Do Some Dogs Show Love More Than Others
Like people, all dogs are different. A friend of mine rescued a dog from the shelter and they bonded over the course of a few months.
The dog was seized in a drug bust and had been through a lot in her short life. Over the course of her life, Zola remained steadfast and unwavering in her devotion to her mom. However, the dog was not a cuddler or a snuggler.
“My dog moves away from me whenever I try to snuggle with her on the couch,” my friend would complain. Zola went through a lot in her life, and we have no idea if something happened on a couch if she didn’t feel comfortable being “crowded,” or perhaps she just wanted space.
Not all dogs enjoy physical closeness. My first Cocker Spaniel followed me from room to room and had to know where we were at all times. However, she wasn’t fond of being cuddled, hugged, or smothered with love. I respected that and let her do her own thing. Dogs show affection in many ways.
Dogs have different temperaments and personalities, and each dog is different. Some people love a clingy, cuddly breed, such as a Cocker Spaniel. Not all Cockers like to be cuddled. Dogs look to their humans for security, safety, food, and love. He may not display certain behaviors, but the love is there inside your pooch.
How Do I Know If My Dog Has Bonded With Me?
Signs of a strong bond include all of the indicators listed above, but there’s so much more. If your dog loves being in your company, is mostly attentive when you call for him, and genuinely cares about where you are and what you are doing, you’ve bonded.
Some dogs prefer to sleep with their parents, stay by their side, sit by their feet while at work, and wait for them by the door to come home. These are all classic bonding signs.
How Can I Show My Dog I Love Him?
With all of these ways dogs show you they love you, there are plenty of ways to reciprocate. Here’s how to show your dog you love them, too:
- Keep up with his health and wellness visits. Log your records and notes into our DogMinder.
- Spend time away from the phone or computer and play with your dog, take him for a walk, and make sure the time together is quality.
- Perform 10 touches a week to ensure your dog’s good health.
- Don’t shout, yell, or berate your dog.
- Never put your hands on a dog in anger.
- Talk to him, even if he can’t hear you. Dogs know when you are talking to them.
- Pet him in his favorite spot: behind the ears? His butt? On his belly?
- Don’t leave him alone for hours and hours on end. Provide a pet sitter, someone to check in, and plenty of things to do in your absence.
- Praise him for the big and little things he does and just for being your furry best friend.
- Understand his body language.
- Take time for training and guidance. My dog earned his AKC trick dog beginner and intermediate titles just for fun and bonding when he was 11 years young.
- Provide good nutrition, cool clean water, and don’t let him get overweight.
- Plan for days away. There is nothing in the world like a day spent with your dog doing whatever your heart desires: an indoor picnic, a day trip, a drive to his favorite park, visiting local pet supply stores.
- Keep your dog bathed and groomed, trim his nails, and be sure any lumps or bumps are checked by a veterinarian.
- Visit with other doggy friends. My dog loves seeing his canine pals.
Your Turn
How does your dog show you he loves you? Do you ever catch him staring at you or doing something else that shows love? Do tell in the comments below.
Love our content? Help keep Fidose of Reality going.
