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Dog Body Language & Behaviour: 10 Signs Your Dog Loves You

Dog Body Language & Behaviour: 10 Signs Your Dog Loves You

by Georgia Hansen in Blog

There are many reputable scientific studies that support the idea that dogs truly love their humans. So, no, you’re not just imagining that your dog loves you, they really do! A dog’s love is something truly magical. It’s unconditional and can be felt deeply despite the fact they can’t express it in words. Instead, dogs have many other ways of showing their love and affection. If you’re ever in doubt, look out for any of the signs on this list. All 10 of these canine behaviours and forms of body language are solid signs your dog loves you and enjoys being around you.

 

1. Warm greetings

If you’re anything like us here at Chomp & Chew, your dog’s greeting when you get home is probably one of the highlights of your day. The jumping up, licking, intense tail wagging, and general excitement at you re-entering their presence are all huge indicators of your dog’s love for you. After all, would they really have a full body response to you simply walking through the door if they didn’t think much of you? Additionally, your dog may adopt what some refer to as the ‘I love you’ stretch, which is when they perform downward dog. It involves them stretching out their front legs while sticking their rump in the air. This is typically reserved as a greeting for their favourite people, so partaking in this greeting is a great sign that your dog absolutely adores you.

Some dogs, especially puppies, may urinate slightly due to the intense excitement they feel when they see you. However inconvenient and frustrating this may be, the silver lining is it’s a sign they love you so much their body can’t contain it! Thankfully, this tends to dissipate as puppies grow, gain more control of their bladder, understand that they shouldn’t urinate indoors, and develop the muscles necessary to avoid unexpected urination. However, it may also be worth involving some positive reinforcement training for this issue if it seems to be persisting longer than it should.

 

2. Sleeping near or with you

Your dog choosing to sleep with you in your bed, or even near you, is a huge indicator of their love for you. Not only this, it shows that they trust you, and that you make them comfortable enough to be vulnerable in your presence. Sleeping next to you or up against you is also a sign that they consider you a packmate, signalling their loyalty to you. Other positions, such as sleeping between your legs, can mean they seek comfort from you as you make them feel more secure and safe.

Even if your dog isn’t much of a snuggler, their solo sleeping position can still indicate the love they feel for you. For example, if your dog sleeps on their back, they are taking on their most vulnerable position while also letting their guard down entirely by falling asleep. So, if your dog does this in your presence, you can rest assured they trust and love you wholeheartedly.

 

3. Physical touch

As is the case between humans, physical touch is a natural way for dogs to show their love. This can come in many forms, including leaning up against you, laying on you, nudging you for pets and attention, licking you, and snuggling with you. As the beloved leader of their pack, your touch and affection brings them great comfort and happiness. Your dog may also find it easier to fully relax when they’re touching you or receiving physical affection from you, as they feel safe with you and reassured by your presence.

Dogs are very intuitive, so their desire for physical touch may not always be about their own wants or needs. For example, when they nudge you for attention, you may think they simply want some physical affection, and this may well be the case. However, if you are sad or distressed, your dog may pick up on this. Nudging you and wanting to be close to you to help comfort you while you’re upset shows how much they love and care for you and want you to be okay. Some dogs may even go as far as licking away your tears!

 

4. Eye contact

Eye contact with your dog may be something you overlook as a given. However, eye contact, especially when it’s sustained, is a sign of love from your pooch. In fact, when dogs are uncomfortable or stressed, they’re much less likely to make eye contact than when they feel happy and safe. Instead, they will avoid eye contact and shy away from other forms of contact as well. So, when your dog looks into your eyes, especially for extended periods of time, they’re telling you they love and trust you.

This phenomenon is comparable to when humans gaze lovingly into each other's eyes. In fact, when mutual staring occurs (with eye contact) between you and your dog, it can release oxytocin, which is the hormone associated with love. The release of this chemical helps strengthen the bond between you and your dog, while increasing feelings of love, security, loyalty, and trust.

 

5. Attachment to items that smell like you

Have you ever noticed that your dog likes to curl up on your clothes, or carry your socks around the house? This may be a little annoying at first glance, as they cover your clothes in fur and slobber. However, this behaviour is a sign that your dog loves you and always wants to feel you close to them. Some dogs may even struggle to sleep or relax without the scent of their humans, especially if they’re alone or find themselves in unfamiliar surroundings. In fact, studies have found that dogs prioritise the scent of their humans over anything else.

It’s very common for dogs to experience separation anxiety. This can manifest in many ways, from soiling themselves to whining and barking to engaging in destructive behaviour. It’s a tough issue that many dog owners struggle to cope with, as it feels impossible to choose between living life outside the house and keeping beloved dogs happy and secure. Thankfully, there are numerous ways to address separation anxiety, from training to medications and beyond. One simple way to curb feelings of separation anxiety is to offer them something that smells like you, like a recently worn t-shirt, that they can snuggle with. This helps them feel your presence, which in turn helps them feel safer and less alone. In addition to when they’re being left at home, this is a useful tactic for when they’re somewhere new, such as staying at a pet resort or a trip to the vet.

6. Checking in

Do you spend time away from your dog, even though you’re both in the same house? Maybe they’re busy snoozing in the living room while you cook in the kitchen, or perhaps you work from a home office while they hang out in bed. Regardless of the specific scenario, the likelihood is that your dog will come and check in with you at least once while you spend time apart. This behaviour, similarly to when humans do it, is meant to show you how much your dog loves and cares for you. The simple explanation is that they want to know you’re okay and show you affection by making the effort to check on you.

In addition to making sure you’re okay for your sake, your dog may check in on you because they recognise you as the leader of their pack. Knowing where you are and that you’re okay is comforting to your dog as it means that all is well with their leader. Additionally, they may have been missing you while in a different room, and want to be back in your presence due to their undying love for you and desire to feel comfort and security.

 

7. Relaxed demeanour

You know that feeling you get when you’re around someone you love, when your whole body relaxes? Well, dog’s feel that, too. Their love for and trust in you can translate to an overall relaxed demeanour. This may present as soft eyes without a fixed gaze, floppy ears that aren’t pinned back, a lack of rigidity in the shoulders, and a general aura of floppiness and relaxation. When dogs are stressed or uncomfortable, they present with much more rigidity and stiffness, reflecting their physical or emotional discomfort.

The looseness of your dog’s body may also lead to the wiggles. So, yes, that full body wag that your dog launches into at the sight of you really is them telling you that they love you and are so happy to see you. If they were tense or stressed, these wiggles would likely not be possible. So, it’s not just a cute little show, it’s a huge indicator that your dog is happy and you’re the reason why.

 

8. Eager to play with you

Dogs love playtime, so if they love you, they want you to be part of it. If you find your dog is always trying to get you to play with them and their toys, this is because they want to spend time with you. Seeking you out to be part of their playtime activities is a great sign of a strong and loving connection. Mixing their favourite person with their favourite pastime is doggy heaven, so it’s no wonder this is one of the ways they choose to show their love.

Playing between dogs and humans actually serves as an excellent bonding opportunity. It can improve the trust and adoration your dog feels for you, strengthening your bond. Playing can also help the cooperation between you and your dog, leading to a healthier relationship and a more obedient pooch. So, when your dog insists on playing with you, whether it be tug of war, fetch, or any other of their favourite games, take it as a sign of their love for you and an opportunity to further strengthen your bond with them.

 

9. Following you around

Do you have a dog, or do you have a fluffy little shadow? Sometimes it may be difficult to tell the difference. You may find your dog travelling with you from room to room, sitting outside the bathroom door waiting for and guarding you, or sitting in uncomfortable spots just to be closer to you. Adorably, the reason your dog wants to follow you everywhere is likely that they love you and crave your company. Dogs love to be around their favourite people because it makes them feel safe and happy. As social creatures, they don’t tend to like being left alone, and would much prefer to be in the company of their loved ones.

As part of your dog’s cherished pack, the leader, no less, you are also someone your dog wants to protect. They’re fiercely loyal to those they love and their pack mentality makes them want to stick close to you. This makes them feel like they can protect you and keep you safe from any danger, further proving how much they love and care for you. It’s, of course, a largely unnecessary behaviour in the safety of your home, but when your dog loves you, they’re always looking for ways to make sure you’re okay.

 

10. Bringing gifts

Does your dog ever offer you their favourite toy, household items, or their half eaten chew? This could mean they’re trying to give you a gift to show their love and affection for you. If you are offered their favourite toy or item, this is an even bigger indicator of their love and trust, as they wouldn’t offer up their prized possession to just anybody. You may find your dog brings you gifts when you get home, or they may be offered randomly throughout the day. Either way, your dog is likely trying to offer a token of their love.

If your dog doesn’t do this, it doesn't mean they don’t love you. Some breeds are more predisposed to this type of behaviour than others, and some learn it from the other dogs around them. For example, golden retrievers are trained to, well, retrieve, so bringing things to their humans is second nature to them and therefore serves as a natural way to show their love. This behaviour may then rub off on other dogs in the house. Other breeds may not find this as natural and will therefore develop other ways of expressing their affection, like those listed above.

 

Final thoughts

The unconditional love of a dog is so strong that no words are needed to express it, just a group of adorable behaviours and body language. So, while it’s not something they can say, it’s something they make you feel deeply. While this list includes 10 great indicators that your dog loves you, it is not exhaustive. There are still lots of other ways dogs can show love, with some being specific to individual canine companions who come up with their own behaviours and forms of affection.

The bottom line is, if you feel that your dog loves you, they do. If they’re acting in ways that make you feel cherished and adored, there’s no doubt the love they feel for you is strong and everlasting. These actions are not an accident or a coincidence, they’re just part of the long list of reasons why dogs are man’s best friend.

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