Dog Body Language and Behavior: Signs Your Dog Loves You

To help you decipher your dog’s body language, we’ve compiled a list of the various signs that prove your puppy loves and trusts you. According to the experts, there are reasons why your dogs tilt their head in such a way or raise their eyebrows. Which of these signs of love and affection does your dog display?

The Experts on Dog-Staring:
Laurie Santos, the director of the Yale University Center for Canine Cognition says, “Looking into one another’s eyes can increase hormones associated with social bonding.” She explains how dogs bond with humans as they spend more time together. The more time you spend together, the more often your pup will show comfort by staring into your eyes.

The Experts on Snuggling Dogs:
Snuggling dogs are a good thing. Three minutes is all it takes for the love hormone to surge in dogs. After that, they’ll begin getting more comfortable. Gregory Berns, an animal researcher and author, reminds us that snuggling after dinner is even better, as your pup is showing you they want more than food.

The Experts on Dogs Checking in on You Frequently:
Your dog wants to bond more often. Take it from Dr. Rachel Barrack, a veterinarian acupuncturist of Animal Acupuncture in New York City. “Bonding with your dog is good for you,” Dr. Barrack states. Don’t limit your dogs’ social interaction with strictly other dogs. Instead, get your pup around humans as well. He’ll soon keep himself occupied.

The Experts on Your Dog Licking You:
Dr. Mary Burch, a certified animal behaviorist says that a dog licking you is showing you affection. She says, “It might also give a dog a feeling of security and comfort, just as the dog had when licked by its mother in the litter.” So, take a moment to think of how important it is for your dog to lick you. Appreciate it as your pup’s form of affection.

The Experts on How a Dog Sleeps:
Dog whisperer Cesar Millan suggests you set some boundaries when it comes to a dog who likes to sleep in your bed. He talks about ventral contact (face-to-face or chest-to-chest) and explains that dogs don’t like this kind of contact the way we do. Millan says, “It is perfectly natural for a dog to sleep with other pack members, and it is also a powerful way to bond with your dog.” He reminds us also to set boundaries. It’s your bed, after all.

The Experts on Jealous Dogs:
Your pet wants your affection and yours only. Scientist Amelia Bastos of the University of Auckland in New Zealand compares that rivalry to a child that’s jealous because a parent is showing affection to another child. Your dog wants your attention, that’s all.

The Experts on Dogs that Body Slam You:
It’s okay, but if you’ve got a larger dog, you might want to be careful. VCA veterinarian Debra Horwitz also mentions that, “Dogs that jump up can also cause injury or scare the visitor.” Think about how you react to being jumped on. According to Horwitz, that reaction would later make a dog anxious about other visitors. Not so good if you’ve got a big family, right?

The Experts on Dogs Raising Their Eyebrows at You:
Dogs raise their eyebrows to trigger your instinct to nurture. According to the University of Portsmouth comparative psychologist Julianne Kaminski, dogs want to tell you they need your help. So, trust that your pup is only signaling the need of acknowledgement with his eyebrows.

The Experts on Dogs Bouncing on Two Legs:
Dr. Patricia Alderson advices that while dogs bouncing on two legs is fun, it can also be dangerous. She says, “If it’s chronic that they’re on their legs like that, then it’s not a natural posture for a dog to be in, so it does produce more wear and tear on the joints.” Your dog loves you, so be sure to look after him and not let him use his hind legs too often. He’ll be thankful for it later.

The Experts on Dogs Sharing Their Toys with You:
The bonding goes deeper. Michelle L. Szydlowski, a vet tech and Beacon College anthrozoology instructor, says that dogs will display affection for you by bringing you their food. She says that your pup is having, “faith in your intelligence by bringing you items that need ‘fixing.'” So, when your dog slides over his dinner, there is more going on than meets the eye.

The Experts on Dogs Dreaming:
Dr. Deidre Barret, a clinical and evolutionary psychologist from Harvard Medical School says that since dogs are attached to owners, they’re “dreaming of your face, your smell and of pleasing or annoying you.” Dreaming about you allows your dog to bond with you emotionally.

The Experts on Dogs Yawning:
Dogs get more attached as they see you doing new things. According to Teresa Romero, an animal behavior researcher at the University of Tokyo, “This attachment can shape the dog’s responses in a way similar to humans.” Your dog is more sensitive to a familiar yawn, but won’t mimic the actions of a stranger.

The Experts on Dogs with Helicopter Tails:
A happy dog is a dog that waves its tail in a circular motion, says Patricia McConnell, animal behaviorist and author of “The Other End of the Leash.”  The animal behaviorist says she sees this kind of tail-wagging on dogs who love a particular person so much. So, it looks like you’re the reason your pup is wagging his tail.

The Experts on Your Dog Leaning on You:
Dogs have bonded with their leaders for thousands of years, says the founder of Dog with Blog, Abhishek Joshi. “Dogs are pack animals, descending from the wolves.” The founder elaborates by mentioning that dogs have a “proximity-seeking nature.” That means all you need to do is trust that your dog will look up to you.

The Experts on Dogs Bringing You Their Food:
Think of what dog walking company Wag! says about a dog bringing you his food. “A big vote of confidence from your dog to you is when he brings you his food. He’s trusting you,” the company says. He appreciates you as the owner and trusts you to keep his food away from other animals. Your dog counts on you as much as he loves you.

The Experts on Smiling Dogs:
Dogs notice how your reactions match your feelings. Kim Brophey from the Dog Door Behavior Center in Asheville, North Carolina says that dogs excel in swaying us masters at human behavior observation and manipulation. Apparently, dogs like to know they’re doing what humans want them to do. “That’s their niche,” Brophey explains.

The Experts on Your Dog Sleeping Near You:
Puppies sleep close to their families. Dr. Stanley Coren, professor emeritus of psychology suggests you observe how your dog sleeps, “The tendency that many dogs have to cuddle when they sleep is a holdover from when they were puppies.” The doctor elaborates, mentioning that as dogs get older, they sleep close to you to remember the feeling of comfort experienced in puppyhood.

The Experts on Your Dog Rubbing its Face Against You:
You know your pup cares about how you feel. Jennifer Mayer and Dr. Deborah Custance from the Department of Psychology at Goldsmith’s in London says that nuzzling is how dogs express this empathy. Research from the journal, Animal Cognition, says that dogs may feel more emotions than any other animal. You can feel that firsthand when their furry face is pressed against yours.

Experts on a Dog Giving You its Paw:
Dogs adore belly rubs and want humans to understand they care about touch. DogLab consultant and Texas veterinarian Sara Ochoa, DVM, says, “Just as dogs adore belly rubs, they also seem to understand that their people like to be touched as well, and since they love us, they want to make us happy.” How adorable!

Experts on Dogs and Emotional Support:
Don’t feel alone if you’re sad or crying and your dog comes to comfort you. According to Julia Meyers-Manor, assistant professor of psychology at Ripon College, a dog’s behavior in reading our emotions becomes instinctual over time. Research shows that when you cry, your dog also feels distressed and will do what it can to try and help you feel better.

Experts on Why Dogs Know Your Name:
Your dog can interpret some language. According to psychologist and dog researcher Stanley Coren, your pup has the intellect of a 2 1/2-year-old toddler. That means they can grasp anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand words. Also, keep in mind, your dog also feels positive emotions when hearing your name. So, consider using your own name more often in the future to make your dog’s day.

Experts on Your Dog Knowing When You’ll Come Home:
Author Alexandra Horowitz talks about how dogs understand your scent. “A potent combination of two forces leads to a dog’s abilities. The first is the distinctness of our smell to our dogs.” She goes on to explain that the second force is “the ease with which dogs learn our habits.” For your dog, a decrease in your scent signals a passing day. He knows you’re coming home soon.

Experts on Your Dog Crying When He Sees You:
The truth is, a crying dog may feel sadness or anxiety and would try and alert you. Or, perhaps they’re looking for your attention. Dr. David Dilmore of Banfield Pet Hospital says, “Your dog may start whining if he’s looking for you to give him something.” Apparently, that includes playtime and petting, or belly rubs and food. You might even notice him crying when you pick up his leash.

The Experts on Dogs Sleeping with Your Clothing:
“Whether your clothes are clean or dirty, a dog can always smell our scent with their powerful noses,” says veterinary consultant Amber LaRock. “Sleeping in our clothes may be their way of connecting with you.” The dog’s bond with a human is strong enough that they’ll never ignore it. That means your dog will rest near your clothing when you’re not there. Just so he can better connect with you.

Experts on Dogs Sighing Around You:
You should know by now that dogs are emotional. If they’re happy, they won’t mind showing it, and if they’re bored, they may even sigh as you do. Veterinary surgeon Dr. Joanna Woodnutt explains that dogs need an outlet to express their emotions, just like humans. So, there isn’t any reason to think your dog isn’t comfortable.

Experts on Dogs and Watching You Walk Away:
Your dog still loves you, even if he is suffering from separation anxiety, but helping your dog keep calm is key to helping them change behaviors. “The dog will not wake up and just decide to be calm and relax,” says Becca Wood, owner of West Virginia’s Almost Heaven K9 Training. “This is a skill that must be taught and then practiced daily.” That means your dog should always be calm by the time you leave the house.

Experts on Dogs Tilting Their Head When Hearing Your Voice:
According to VCA Animal hospital doctors Ryan Llera and Lynn Buzhardt, “when a dog cocks his head to the side, he is trying to hear your words.” The doctors go on to explain that tilting their head helps them understand you. Understand, your pup is concentrating on every move you make.

The Experts on Dogs Showing You Their Bellies
“Dogs expose their bellies as part of a submissive display,” says veterinarian Dr. Margaret Gruen. She explains that this playtime means your dog trusts you. For that, you should reach down and rub your dog’s belly, confident that both of you trust each other.

Experts on Dogs Sniffing Your Crotch:
It’s awkward, but Professor Stanley Coren says that dogs have ways of gathering information. So, your dog might behave this way to learn how you’re doing. But mostly, they think of this behavior as an awkward handshake, nothing more.

The Experts on Dogs Chasing Your Shoes and Socks:
Dogs also chew on socks to get your attention. That’s according to Mary Jean Alsina, a professional trainer and the owner of The Canine Cure in New Jersey. “Dogs also may find when they grab socks, they get chased.” So, yes, it’s like a rewarding game to them. Ultimately, these signs your dog loves you are all in his behaviors, his reactions, his demeanor, and the way he stares into your eyes. There are so many loving signs. So, you can rest assured, you and your dog are destined to be together.