How To Tell If Your Dog Loves You: 7 Subtle & Not-So-Subtle Signs
Dogs have a well-known reputation for being loving and loyal companions, making them the quintessential “man’s best friend.”
Now, while they can’t put their love into words, dogs have an unexpectedly large repertoire of ways to show their love and care.
Some of these ways can be quite obvious, but sometimes the way they communicate their affection can be subtle. Though we believe love and affection should be a reciprocal affair, dogs are known for giving us their blind adoration – even when we don’t deserve it.
But underneath all the love, each dog is a unique individual with a unique personality and should be appreciated as such.
If you’ve ever wanted to know the subtle (and obvious!) ways dogs show us their love, you’re in for a treat.
We’ve rounded up 7 ways through which dogs show affection.
1. Eye Contact
Could you imagine holding prolonged eye contact with a complete stranger? The answer is most likely a resounding “NO”. Why? Because it’s a very intimate act. This is the same for many dogs. Holding eye contact is a display of deep trust and affection. If you notice that your beloved pup holds eye contact with you quite regularly, then this means your furry friend is highly attached to you. In fact, whenever your dog gazes at you, they release Oxytocin – otherwise known as the love hormone. This is the same hormone that mothers release with their newborn babies!
2. Nosing
This one’s a funny word, but we’re sure you’ve experienced it time and time again. Nosing happens when your dog approaches you and nudges you with their little nose. This act, when accompanied by a long and soulful stare – is a sign of great affection. It’s like a little doggie kiss! However, dogs often use their nose to communicate, so this can also be a sign that your dog needs your attention.
3. Jumping:
Have you ever noticed how jumpy and excitable your dog gets when you return home after a long day of work? Though many people find jumping an annoying habit in dogs (we have no idea why) – it’s actually a sign that your dog is enthusiastic about your arrival and thus a display of affection towards you. But there’s another good reason for why jumping is such an instinctive behavior for dogs of all breeds and sizes: they are drawn to human faces. Jumping helps them get a closer look at you and your facial expression.
4. Leaning:
This is one of our personal favorites and for good reason. When your dog sits down beside you and leans their full body weight against your legs – this is a sign that they implicitly trust you. Leans are much like the doggie version of a hug!
5. Rolling over:
Nothing is cuter than a dog rolling onto their back in hopes you’ll give them a much-needed belly rub. Rolling over is a unique act for animals like dogs, in that it puts them in a very vulnerable position. However, this means that they have much affection and love for you because they trust you. You might have also noticed your dog rolling over in the company of other dogs – this position signals that your dog wishes to befriend the other dog and poses no threat to them.
6. Licking:
This one is quite obvious; your pup probably loves to lick your hands and face when they’re in a particularly excitable mood. It is a declaration from them that you make them happy. Connected to this is how much your dog probably loves to lick or chew at your clothes. Though this may irritate you, it’s a sweet sign that your dog wishes to be close to you, after all, they can smell your scent on those items they choose to chew.
7. Tail wagging:
Isn’t this the cutest thing ever? Tail wagging is amongst some of the sweetest behavior you can expect from your beloved pup. And the good news is that it means your dog loves and trusts you. The general rule is that the looser a dog’s tail is, the more relaxed they feel.
Remember, dogs have been our constant and closest companions for thousands of years compared to any other creature. The history of domestic dogs is closely mirrored with own history, and no other animal is given the title of man’s best friend.
Our two species understand each other, and it’s our mutual undying love and loyalty that keeps us so close.
Check out these other great articles to give your dog their best life:
7 Pet Safety Tips for the 4th of July
Home Alone: How to Help Your Pooch Deal With Separation Anxiety
5 Signs of Stress in Dogs & How to Recognize Your Dog’s Stress