Ever wondered if there are signs your dog loves you that you may not be picking up on? Our canine companions communicate differently than us and they have their own unique ways of expressing their affection for their owners – something they do more often than you might think.
By paying attention to your dog’s behavior and learning how to read dog body language, you can quickly discover how they feel about you. If your dog comes running over to you with their favorite toy in their mouth or they get excited when you return home, those are clear expressions of love.
And there are plenty more signs where those came from. To learn all the different ways dogs say ‘I love you’, we turned to expert vet, Dr Rebecca MacMillan. Below, she shares the most common ways dogs show their humans how much they care. Oh, and spoiler alert: they’re all super cute!
Signs your dog loves you
1. They greet you when you come home
Does your pup race to greet you when you walk in the door? According to Dr MacMillan, that’s a great sign that they feel a deep connection to you.
“A dog that loves their owner will be pleased to see them arrive home again,” she confirms. “A joyful greeting is a clear indication that your dog is glad to see you,” she says.
It’s heartwarming to receive such an enthusiastic welcome when you arrive home, and each dog tends to have their own unique way of saying hello. Some will wag their tail or lick their owners, others will jump up or come running over with a toy in their mouth.
No matter which excited greeting you receive from your pup, take it as a sign they’re thrilled to see you – chances are, you feel exactly the same way (just minus the tail wagging, of course!)
2. Wagging their tail when they see you
One of the top signs of a happy dog who loves their owner is a wagging tail. While a dog may wag their tail for a number of reasons, Dr MacMillan says that “A friendly, waggy tail with relaxed body language indicates that your dog is feeling happy in your company.”
Learning how to read dog body language can help you to understand what your dog is feeling from moment to moment, and their tail position and movement give particularly strong cues.
Along with an upright, moderately wagging tail, some dogs may also do what’s known as a helicopter tail. This is a particularly adorable action where the wagging gets so strong that their tail whips about when they see you, just like the propeller on a helicopter.
3. Wanting to play with you
Is your dog enthusiastic about your daily play sessions? Do they seek you out and try and engage you in their favorite game? Dogs who love their owners want to spend as much time with them as possible, and that includes having lots of fun together through play.
“Play is a great way of engaging with you,” says Dr MacMillan. “Play is not only fun, but it helps pets and owners form strong, loving bonds.”
If you’re looking for ways to bond with your dog, engaging in regular play sessions is one of the best ways to do that.
4. Licking you
Some owners love it and others loathe it, but there’s no denying it – those slobbery kisses are a huge sign of affection on your dog’s part. Dogs love to lick, and while it can absolutely be an attention-seeking behavior, it’s also your pup’s way of communicating to you just how much you mean to them.
“If your dog licks you, then they are sharing the love with doggy kisses!” Dr MacMillan confirms. “Friendly licks are your dog’s way of reminding you how they feel.”
Is your dog licking you excessively? This could be a sign they’re feeling stressed, anxious, or bored, so if you’re at all worried about your dog’s licking behaviors, do speak to your vet, who will be able to offer advice and guidance.
5. Sleeping near you
While there are some hidden dangers of sleeping with your pet that you’ll want to be aware of (cleanliness being a big one) there are lots of ways you can make sleeping with your canine companion safer – which is just as well as many dogs like to sleep with their owners as a way of showing how much they love them.
Sleep is a really vulnerable time for dogs, so if they choose to curl up near you or beside you, that’s their way of signalling to you that you’re one of their pack.
“Many dogs feel secure and protected when sleeping with their human companions. This is a clear sign that they trust you,” explains Dr MacMillan.
6. Eager to go on walks with you
There are few things more adorable than having your dog wander over to you with their lead in their mouth – it’s a clear sign they want to spend quality time with you. And from your dog’s perspective, what could be better than going on a big walk with their favorite human?
“A dog that loves you will be keen to accompany you on walks, leaping up as soon as you jangle the leash,” says Dr MacMillan. “Walking alongside a companion is good for both of you.”
Don’t worry, though, we understand that doing the same walk through your neighborhood may feel a bit stale some days. So, if you’re looking for ways to freshen things up and add some variety to your exercise routine, check out these exciting ways to workout with your pet.
7. They roll on their back and show their belly
Nothing says I love you more than your pup rolling onto their back and asking for their belly to be rubbed.
“This is a vulnerable position, so if your dog shows you their belly, it can be a sign that they feel happy and content in your company,” Dr MacMillan explains.
It’s important to note that your dog may roll onto their back for several reasons, such as marking their territory or as an act of submission. But if this behavior is coupled with relaxed and content body language, it’s likely your dog’s way of expressing their affection.
8. Bringing you their toys
Why do dogs bring you toys? Why, to tell you they love you, of course! You know you’re special to your pup if they bring you their favorite dog toy because it shows they trust you with their most important possession.
“Bringing you gifts in the form of toys or slippers is a good sign of affection,” confirms Dr MacMillan. “They want to get a reaction from you, whether that’s in the form of some fuss or a game.”
Spending some time playing with your dog provides them with lots of physical and mental stimulation, and it’s great for strengthening your relationship, too!
Dr MacMillan says that eye contact is “a subtle sign that often goes unnoticed, but it is a big clue that your dog loves you. Holding your eye contact in a gentle, unblinking stare shows that your dog trusts you.”
Not only does softly gazing at each other help you and your dog to express your love for one another, it also triggers the release of oxytocin, the feel-good hormone that helps to strengthen the connection the two of you share.
A dog that loves you will often seek out physical contact.
“This could include sitting on your lap, leaning against your leg or nudging your hand with their head,” says Dr MacMillan.
Dogs are much like humans in that they won’t initiate physical contact with people they don’t love and trust. So next time your pup places their paw on you or leans up against you, know that they view you as a beloved member of their pack.
Read next: Things your dog hates that you keep doing
Rebecca is a veterinary surgeon who graduated in 2009 from the Royal Veterinary College in London. She has a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, having done a mixture of day-to-day routine work, on-call emergency duties and managerial roles over the years. Rebecca enjoys medicine in particular and she is proud to have recently achieved a BSAVA postgraduate certificate in small animal medicine (with commendation).
She writes on various feline and canine topics, including behavior, nutrition, and health. Outside of work and writing she enjoys walking her own dog, spending time with her young family and baking!
Edited by Georgia Guerin and Alexis De Leaver.
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