How to tell that your dog really loves you

There’s nothing quite as strong as the bond between a dog and their owner. We shower our pets with affection whenever possible. This could be verbally by saying words and phrases like ‘I love you’ and ‘You’re such a good boy.’ It could also be in the form of kisses and cuddles, or it could be by playing fetch at the park or rewarding them with treats. However you choose to show your pet how much you love them, there’s no denying that the feeling is mutual. 

While pets aren’t able to tell us how they’re feeling, there are some telltale signs that let us know that our love is reciprocated.

They display excitement when they see you

When you arrive home after being out for a little while, you’ve no doubt experienced the excitement your dog displays on your return. Running, jumping, tail-wagging, trying to lick you – these are all good signs that your dog is over the moon to have you home again.

They seek physical contact with you

Dogs love to have close contact with the ones they love. Whether it’s snuggling up on the sofa next to you or climbing into bed for a cuddle with you, being close means they feel safe and comfortable with you. (And this close contact has benefits for us humans too! The act of stroking a pet is said to lower high-blood pressure)

They make eye contact with you

Catching your dog’s loving gaze means that they truly trust you and feel safe around you. This kind of eye contact can strengthen your bond too as it triggers a release of oxytocin, the love hormone, in your dog’s brain.

They will come and ‘check’ on you

Even if you have a more independent dog that doesn’t necessarily snuggle all the time, it’s likely that they’ll often come and find you around the house. You’ve probably noticed them popping their head round the door and then trotting off, seemingly for no reason. This is your dog making sure you are still nearby and that everything is okay and is a sure sign that they love you.

Fri Sep 23 2022