5 Ways Your Dog Shows They Love You

We all love our dogs like they are our children. We cuddle them and kiss them and give them treats as a sign of our love. I try not to anthropomorphize dogs (attribute human characteristics to dogs), but it is fun to think that little things they do on a daily basis may be their way of communicating that they love you too. If they do any of these five things, consider yourself loved!

1. They follow you wherever you go and/or always know where you are. Dog instinctively are protectors of their owners and very social animals. Even if they are sometimes on their own they will often check in on you to make sure that things are ok. This is a sign of loyalty and love.

2. They make eye contact with you. In the dog world eye contact can mean that they are trying to assert dominance, but if they have a calm, relaxed gaze in their eyes they are showing they trust you. Eye gazing also causes a release in a hormone cause Oxytocin which makes you feel good and loved. Oxytocin is the same hormone released when a mother bonds with her new baby child.

3. They lean on you or want to be in physical contact with you. When your dog leans against you it means they trust you and that you make them feel safe. Dogs will often lean on their parents when they are nervous or scared, hoping that you will help protect them from any dangers.

4. They are happy when you come home. They greet you at the door with a relaxed happy face, maybe even a smile. (If your dog smiles, you are among the luckiest of pet parents!) Your dogs love to spend time with you and they miss you when you are gone. A true sign of being bonded to their parent.

5. They bring you their favorite toy. When your dog gives you their favorite toy it is a sign of trust and connection. They are willing to give up their prized possession with the trust in you to return it. It is a sign that they consider you part of their pack and are trying to bond with you. It can also be a sign that they are trying to get your attention, especially if they bring you a toy but then do not let you take it.

Do you think your dog loves you? Chances are they do!