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We’re sure you’ll agree, to say we love our dogs is an understatement!
Dogs are fully-fledged members of the family and our love for them knows no bounds. But how can we tell if our dogs love us in return? It's not like they can tell us, so that leaves us wondering, what body language translates to, ‘I love you too’?
So if this Valentine’s Day you find yourself looking at your dog’s longing gaze thinking, ‘Does my dog love me as much as I love them?’, this article is for you. Read on as we go through all the tell-tale signs that your dog truly loves you.
There’s a reason humankind is so obsessed with our canine companions; the bond between people and dogs goes back thousands of years. In fact, evidence suggests we may have begun slowly domesticating dogs around 15,000 years ago.
Dogs feel a keen empathy and protective instinct for humans and can bond deeply with us. When humans realised this all those years ago, they nurtured that bond, fed the dogs, and provided them with care and shelter. It’s a rewarding, mutually beneficial relationship that has continued to the present day.
Though it’s hard to measure the ‘love’ a dog feels in the same way that humans understand it, it has been proven that dogs get a rush of oxytocin (the ‘love’ hormone) when they feel deeply bonded with their owners, which increases a sense of trust and comfort.
So, yes - dogs do feel strong emotions towards those they care about. These feelings can be boosted through positive experiences, such as providing your pooch with affection, fun activities, safety and consistency.
When asking resident Vet Linda Simon on how this impacts us and our dogs, she said:
'One of my favourite things about our relationship with dogs is the scientifically proven human-animal bond. We know that when we stroke them and give them cuddles, not only do we release lots of feel goof oxytocin, but so do they!
It is a mutually beneficial relationship, and lots of oxytocin can lower stress levels in both you and your furry friend. For dogs, the oxytocin boost also serves to deepen their connection with you, and to build that all important trust.'
One of the fascinating parts of being a dog owner is interpreting your dog’s behaviour and body language, as dogs are constantly expressing their feelings to you. So which signs should you look out for to know your pooch is your biggest fan?
Let’s get into the main indicators and signs that show your dog loves you…
One of the biggest signs your pooch appreciates you is how happy they appear whenever they see you!
Whether you’ve been away for hours or only 20 minutes, if your pooch jumps up excitedly and gets the zoomies when you return, it’s a sure sign they think of you when you’re not there.
If your pooch feels like a shadow, even when you move from room to room in the house, that’s a sign that they feel so bonded to you that they want to be around you at all times.
Does your dog rest their body weight against you when you’re sitting down? Do they push their body against your legs when you’re cooking or washing the dishes? This is another way to feel close to you and get your attention. Take it as their way of giving you a little cuddle.
You’ll recognise that lingering puppy gaze - it seems full of love! Dogs make lots of eye contact with the humans they’re most connected to, as it brings them a sense of calm and safety, as well as a boost of oxytocin. Be sure to return that eye contact as you scratch behind their ears to let them know the feeling is mutual.
A dog who’s crazy about you will perk up at the sound of your name alone. This is especially true when you’re not there, and someone mentions you could be arriving soon - it’s telling how alert they become!
Remember, this might not actually be your real name - if you’re commonly called, ‘mum’ or ‘babe’ around the house, the dog will associate this with you.
When a dog loves you, you are their favourite playmate - so they will instigate games of fetch, they’ll jump up and bow (with their head down and back legs in the air), pretend to run away from you when you put their lead on, and generally be cheeky with you to have fun.
If your pooch brings you their most treasured possessions, it’s because they trust you to take care of them. It’s a way of displaying true faith in your doggy-human relationship.
Rolling onto their belly is a submissive position for a dog, and is a way of communicating to other dogs that they don’t mean harm. When done with a human, it means they’re happy for the human to be in charge, and can be a sign of open affection. Put simply, they’re inviting you to rub their belly!
However, always air on the side of caution when dog’s show their belly. If it’s paired with showing you the whites of their eye or even licking their lips, this could mean they want you to back away - especially if you’ve disturbed them whilst sleeping or relaxing. If this is the case, give them some space and wait for them to come to you.
Dogs often show their connection to others by being outwardly protective. That means expressing warning signals - like barking or ‘back off’ body language - to anything that seems a threat to your safety (which, to a dog can be a knock at the door or a stranger they’re not familiar with).
This kind of behaviour isn’t always positive, and some training can help them become desensitised to some noises and events so they recognise there’s not always a threat.
When a dog loves you, being in your presence is when they feel at their best. That means they are calm, chilled out and at rest when you’re nearby.
Along with being calm, a dog who sleeps near you feels so comfortable and safe that they’re happy to be totally vulnerable in your presence. This shows total trust in you.
A dog that feels strong trust in you will become alert when you tell them something, and have a sensitivity to the sound of your voice. They will attempt to respond and communicate when you speak to them, and if they’re trained, they will obey if you give a command or instruction.
How could we leave this until last - doggy kisses! Dogs show affection by licking those they love, so they will lick your hands, feet, face - wherever they see skin, to prove you’re special to them. Based on their canine instincts, licking is a sign of nurturing and care; but it’s also a way to soothe themselves, as licking releases oxytocin and helps them feel connected to you.
Dogs also express love through lots of micro-movements. Here is some more subtle dog body language that shows your dog is very happy to be with you.
To have your pooch feeling calm and content, check out Pooch & Mutt’s range of calming dog treats, gut-friendly fish treats and calming dental sticks. Made with natural ingredients and powerful supplements to keep your dog happy and healthy.
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