It is said that dogs are man’s best friend. When we interact with our favorite four-legged friend, it’s easy to see why that expression exists. Dogs seem to have a natural ability to bring out something extraordinary in us.
Do dogs love us? It’s possible. That’s why we put together a list of signs your dog loves you.
10 Signs Your Dog Loves You
Eye Contact
For people, eye contact is a significant thing. Looking someone in the eye is a sign of respect. It also lets the other person know that you are giving them your attention.
Dogs don’t really value eye contact with other dogs. In fact, they often see eye contact with another dog as a sign of aggression. Dogs do seem to give eye contact to their preferred humans, though.
Have you ever tried to make a sandwich or whip up a snack? Usually, the rustling of a bag is enough to call your dog into the kitchen too. They might take a seat right next to you and give you “the eyes.” It’s hard to say no when they are so intently focusing on you. Reward that eye contact! It’s a sign your dog loves you. It might even do you some good too. When our dogs make eye contact, our brains release oxytocin, which is the same hormone a mother’s brain releases when they look at their baby.
They Lean on You
There are a couple of different times your dog might lean on you. If they are in a new or unusual situation, they might feel scared. In this case, they might lean on you because they think that you are their protector. They find comfort in your presence.
Your dog might also lean on you because they can. You’re not likely to lean on someone you don’t know. The same goes for your dog. They lean against you at times because they feel comforted by your presence. Next time you’re on the couch and your pup leans into you, take it as a sign of love.
They Sleep in Your Bed
Your dog loves you and wants to be as close to you as possible. They might want to get right up next to you or even sleep between your feet at night. While this might make it hard to move around in bed, it is a sign your dog loves you.
They Love Seeing You
You’ve probably experienced the mad rush to the door when you get home. You show up, and your dog just can’t get enough of you. They might jump or lick your hands or face. While this is something that you should not reward, it’s sometimes hard to say no when you’re being showered with that much love.
They Steal Your Stuff
You might not love that your dog runs off with your shoes or dirty laundry. Take it as a compliment, though. Dogs who care about their owners will want to be as close to them as possible. This means snuggling up with anything that smells strongly of you.
They Make Sure You’re Alright
If you have a dog who is more aloof or independent, they may not be at your side all the time. If your dog loves you, they’ll at least check in on you. Your dog might come to remind you to take a break if you’ve been working at your desk for too long. Though they might just be telling you that they have needs also.
They Demand Your Petting
Physical contact comes with close relationships. This goes for dogs too. The closer they are to you, the more they’re going to want your attention. Feel free to hug, cuddle or just pet to their heart’s content.
They Piddle
Your dog piddling when you walk through the door is probably one of the last things you want to see after a long day of work. Piddling is a sign that they love you, though. It means that they are very excited to see you. It can also be submissive urination, which happens when your dog knows you’re the leader.
They Share with You
While it may not seem the case, dogs like order. If you’ve done an excellent job raising your dog, they’ll see you as the pack leader. It only makes sense that they’ll want to make you happy. This means they’ll want to share what they have with you. It’s one of the signs your dog loves you.
They Smile
It’s no joke. When you and your pup make eye contact, they can pull those lips back and give you a big grin. Reciprocate by giving some lovely pets.
With all the little things our dogs do for us, is there any doubt they love us?
