Does My Dog Love Me? How to Tell

You go above and beyond to show your dog how much you love and care for them. You take them out for long walks at the park, you play a fun game of fetch, provide delicious treats, and water, give them lots of pets, hugs – the list goes on! 

Do you ever wonder if your dog loves you back? The answer is an absolute Yes! Dogs express their emotions in a variety of ways, including subtle to the most obvious signs. Every dog is different in the ways they show their signs of happiness. The way your dog acts around you can say a lot about how they feel. If your dog shows any of these affectionate behaviors, then you can sleep well at night knowing your four-legged fur baby does love you! Take a look at the ten signs of affection that your dog uses to show you love. 

1. Happy to See You 

Your dog may have a unique way of showing you their happiness when they see you walk through the door. It might be through wagging their fast-wagging tail, performing a happy dance, or spinning around in circles!  

2. Eye Contact

When your dog has relaxed eyes with normal pupils and looks directly into your eyes, it means they are looking at you with a loving gaze. When your dog looks at you in the eye, they are “hugging you with their eyes.” When they look at you, oxytocin is released, the same hormone new mothers get when they bond with their babies.

3. Share Toys

You may not care too much about your dog’s slobbery tennis ball, but when they bring you their favorite toy, it is their way to invite you to play with them. It is a sign that they want to share their toys and favorite resources with you. 

4. Following You Everywhere

If your dog has become your new shadow, consider this to be a true sign of love! If they follow you around everywhere, it is because they love to be around you and enjoy your company. When they cling to you, it is more than just a sign of security; They genuinely love spending time with you. They will also check on you when you are in your home, either when cooking, watching TV, or even during bathroom visits! 

5. Sleep near You

Dogs, by nature, sleep in a pack next to each other. In the wild, dogs will sleep with their backs to each other in a protective circle. During their sleep, they can pick up on any threatening and alerting signs in their environment through scent. They want to snuggle up with you on your couch or sleep in your room, which is a sign that they feel safe with you and consider you part of their inner family circle. How great of a feeling to know you will always have a snuggle partner! In addition, sleeping close to your dog can have several benefits, such as reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. When you sleep close to your dog, it can increase the release of oxytocin, a hormone that promotes feelings of happiness and love. Therefore, if you’re looking for a snuggle partner, your furry friend can be the perfect companion to cuddle up with.

6. Licking You 

Licking is a natural behavior for dogs, and it serves various purposes. For instance, mother dogs lick their puppies to clean them and stimulate their breathing. Adult dogs also use licking to communicate with each other and with their owners. Some dogs may lick excessively, which can be a sign of anxiety or other underlying health issues. However, in most cases, licking is a harmless and affectionate behavior that dogs use to show their affection.

If your dog approaches you and licks you, they express their love for you, equivalent to kissing you. If you are petting or playing with your pup, and they lick your face, they are telling you how much they love you. They lick to seek attention from you and are signaling they want to interact with you. So take in the joy of getting bathed with kisses from your dog! 

7. Herding

If your dog tries to keep you from wandering off when you are walking somewhere in the outdoor environment, they display herding behavior. For example, suppose you or someone in your family, including one of your dogs, steps off the sidewalk. In that case, some dogs will herd the family member back onto the sidewalk. Herding behavior is often more noticeable in breeds that were originally developed to control livestock, such as Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, Australian Cattle Dog. 

8. Carrying around Your Belongings

Dogs have a keen sense of smell, and they use it to navigate the world around them. Your dog’s sense of smell is so strong that they can detect even the faintest scents, such as your body odor on your clothes. You may catch your dog carrying around pieces of your clothing such as socks or your laundry. They may also sleep on top of clothes you left on the floor. They want to feel close to you even when you are not physically next to them. Your dog may feel a sense of comfort and safety if you leave an article of clothing such as a jacket or a shirt whenever you leave your home. They will find comfort in smelling your scent on your clothes. 

9. Leaning on You 

It is a clear sign of love and comfort if you find your dog curling up next to you; look for signs such as when they lean against your leg or rest their paw on your arm. 

10. Playing

Dogs are very playful, and it is one of the many reasons we love spending time with our dogs. They will be happy to play a game of fetch, chase, tug-of-war, hide and seek, or any other fun activities! 

Return the Love 

Dogs can’t bring you red roses to pour their heart out to you, and they can’t put their love into words, but they can express their affection for you in their doggy language. Paying attention to your dog’s body language will help you understand what makes them happy. Return the love and always be kind and affectionate to your dog. Most likely, they are always trying to signal to you, “I love you!” 

You go above and beyond to show your dog how much you love and care for them; ranging from taking them out for long walks at the park, a fun game of fetch, provide delicious food, treats, and water, giving them lots of pets, kisses, hugs, and the list goes on!