- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
We give our pups belly rubs, delicious treats, and plenty of snuggles to show them our love. But do they really love us back—or are they just in it for the snacks? What are the signs your dog truly loves you?
The good news is that dogs do love their humans. When dogs interact with people and have a positive experience, they get a feel-good dopamine rush, explains Amanda Modes, DVM, a behavior veterinarian for VetMind. This chemical response creates strong social bonds and trust among pups and their pet parents.
So, how can you tell what your pup is feeling? Dr. Modes explains that, similar to humans, dogs show love in different ways. She adds that while it’s impossible to know every unique indicator of dog love, there are some common things to look for. Here are 12 signs your dog loves you.
Dog Love Language: How Dogs Show Affection
1. Your dog greets you at the door
Many pet parents are familiar with this scene: you open your door, and your dog is immediately attached to you at the hip, welcoming you home. Your dog might even bark, whine, or happy cry when you get back. “For most dogs, the fact that we leave, and they just wait patiently for us to come home is pretty special,” Dr. Modes explains.
2. Your dog wags their tail when they see you
Your dog’s tail is an essential communication tool with you and other dogs. If your dog’s tail is furiously wagging whenever they see you, this is love in its truest form. Dr. Modes also notes that if your dog’s tail is slightly raised or straight up, it can indicate happiness.
3. Your dog licks you
Dogs love to lick. When a dog licks you, they’re giving you kisses. Kissing is a universal sign of affection, even among dogs! Licking for dogs is also an attention-seeking behavior. So if your dog licks you, they might be asking you for playtime, cuddles, or pets. You might even get a nibble or two.
4. Your dog leans or rubs against you
When your dog comes up to you and leans their full weight against your legs, they’re showing you they trust and love you implicitly. For many dogs, the lean is akin to hugging. Dogs also show affection by rubbing against you. Dogs have scent glands in their face, so when they nuzzle against you, they may be purposely leaving their mark on you to show the world you’re their human.
5. Your dog makes eye contact with you
Another sign your dogs love you is if you catch them staring at you from across the room. Eye contact can be very intimate and create a deeper bond. “Just like humans gaze into each other’s eyes to show love and affection, so does your dog,” says Gary Richter, DVM, a veterinary health expert on Rover’s Dog People Panel.
6. Your dog recognizes your name
It’s well-established that dogs recognize their names, but over time, your dog will learn your name and be visibly excited when they hear it. “[There’s] no reason to believe they wouldn’t be able to recognize their [pet parent’s] name,” explains Philip Tedeschi, the director emeritus and founder of the Institute for Human-Animal Connection and another member of the Pet People Panel.
He adds that if dogs recognize your name and show signs of happiness, like tail wagging and barking, they associate you with good things.
7. Your dog plays with you and brings you gifts
Tedeschi says that if your dog seeks you out to play, it indicates a very strong connection that could be perceived as love. “[Your dog’s] decision to choose you and be in close proximity is one of the ways I would define love,” he adds. “Play is one of the most important behaviors in all species.”
Dogs also express their love by bringing you gifts, just like cats. The most common dog present? Their favorite toys! These are treasured items, so it’s a clear sign of affection when your dog brings them to you.
8. Your dog sleeps with or near you
Sleep is a vulnerable time for your dog. So it’s an act of love and trust when your pup curls up right next to you or near your feet. If you’re one of the 46% of adults in the U.S. who let their pups sleep in bed with them, you’re also creating an environment to encourage more bonding with your dog.
9. Your dog steals your clothes
One quirky way dogs show their love is by stealing your clothes, socks, or underwear. Dogs navigate the world using scent, and according to Dr. Modes, a dog’s sense of smell is thousands of times more sensitive than ours. If your pup has become a laundry thief, they might just want to be close to your smell.
10. Your dog’s emotions match yours
If you feel like you and your dog’s moods are synced, you’re probably right. Research suggests that dogs and humans mirror each other’s emotional states. Studies have found that a dog and their human’s heart rate variability match up when they spend time together.
11. Your dog wiggles or dances around you
A dog’s love language may also come in the form of wiggling, dancing, and tippy tapping around you. These joyful movements show your dog is excited to see you, so much so they can’t sit still.
10. Your dog lifts their eyebrows at you
We’re all familiar with the infamous puppy eyes, but dogs have other ways of expressing their love. For instance, studies from Japan show that when dogs see their pet parent, they immediately lift their eyebrows (especially their left brow), demonstrating their close bond and positive emotions to their pet parents.
Why Do Dogs Love Us So Much?
Canine affection toward the human race traces back to thousands of years of domestication. In the Americas, researchers believe humans and dogs co-existed as far back as 12,000 years ago. Early humans likely provided food scraps to tamed wolves, and in turn, dogs became helpful companions for hunting and guarding.
Humans and dogs are also naturally social and are inclined to form bonds, making them well-suited for each other. Positive associations and interactions (like cuddling or making eye contact) also trigger oxytocin, the hormone known for building love, affection, and bonding, in both humans and dogs.
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Responding to Your Dog With Love
The key to nurturing this love? Healthy communication and respect between you and your dog. “When we learn what our dogs are telling us and respect those feelings and emotions, we empower our dogs to continue to communicate with us, and that level of communication will foster any bond,” Dr. Modes says.
Understanding our dog’s emotions and behaviors is the first step. The next is responding to their signs of affection and showing them we love them back. Here’s how.
- Becoming well-versed in reading your dog’s body language
- Prioritizing one-on-one time with your pup to play their favorite games
- Ensuring your dog’s mental and physical needs are met daily
- Respecting your dog’s preferences for touch and showing them lots of affection if they enjoy being pet
- Give your dog plenty of praise and speak to them in a loving tone
- Maintain eye contact for that mutual boost of oxytocin
- Invest in quality training to grow your bond
Sure, our dogs may not experience love exactly like us. But evidence shows they do form strong attachments similar to human love that makes for a lasting relationship full of affection, trust, and companionship. A dog is a human’s best friend, after all!
