How do you know for sure that your dog loves you? If your dog is like mine, you can see it in his eyes. He is always ready to go anywhere with me. But does that mean that he really loves me, or does he just have an unrequited love for the car? Well, let’s count the ways that canines show us their love…
1. Snuggle Bug
I have two dogs and they’re both snuggle bugs. They always seek my companionship and I oblige them. One of them refuses to snuggle at night, while the other does, and vice versa. So, in my case, I could have dog companionship 24/7 if I wanted to. Per WebMD A good dog cuddle can help lower blood pressure, relax you and help you live longer.
2. Making Eye Contact
According to this study, eye contact and positive interaction can produce the feel-good hormone, oxytocin, in both the dogs and their owners. It is this positive interaction that creates trust, comfort, and bonding to occur with our canine friends.
I trust my dogs completely and it really does bring me closer to them when I gaze in their eyes and tell them my problems. It feels like they understand what I am going through, when no one else in the world does. We have bonds with our own dogs that no one else has.
3. Their Eyebrows
Dog facial expressions are very interesting to watch. One of my dogs scrunches up his eyebrows and gets these adorable little forehead wrinkles when he wants a treat. He has trained me well, because I just can’t resist those eyebrows!
Did you know that dogs have developed the fine art of facial expressions in an attempt to communicate with us? No, it doesn’t just involve food, as one might assume. This dog led rescuers to his owner who was in a car accident. They have adapted to communicate their needs to humans. This includes the look of love, affection and adoration for you.
4. Sleeping with Their Pack
It is well known that the domesticated dogs have evolved from wolves, notorious pack animals. In my experience, dogs are most comfortable when they are with their pack. They are whole, and they can relax. You are their pack and when they choose to sleep with you, or near you, it means that they trust you completely.
5. Just Leaning
Ever notice how dogs lean in for more pets and ear scratches? This means that they can let their guard down a little bit because they feel comfortable with the situation. They want to be close to you, or they need your reassurance if they are a little nervous. Either way, it seems that most people I have encountered love it when a dog leans on them.
6. Big Smiles
When a dog is having fun, usually their whole body is smiling. You can see the happiness on their face just like this little dog, Layla. Smiles can happen at any time, but mostly it is when they are interacting and playing with you.
7. Welcoming Committee
Dogs miss us when we are gone, even if it is just for a few minutes. I get the welcoming committee when I come home, come in from taking the trash out, or when I come downstairs when I have been upstairs for a while. They are saying that they missed you and they are happy that a member of their pack has returned.
8. Wiggle Waggle
A dog wagging their tail is the biggest telltale sign of happiness. Sometimes you can just look at your dog and they start to wag their tail. Just like humans, they love when the person they love pays attention to them.
This is by no means an exhaustive list because there are a multitude of ways dogs show us they love us in their own unique way. While many of these listed things happen simultaneously, they can all show that your dog loves you. What your dog wants most in this world is to be with you, enjoying all the love and attention you can give him. He may like car rides, naps, dinner, kisses, squeaky toys and squirrels, but he LOVES you most of all!