Looking for signs your dog loves you? You don’t have to look very far.
Dogs are incredibly adept at showing us how much they care and display behaviors specifically geared toward showering their favorite human companions with affection. And while, like us, dogs all have unique love languages, there are a number of things you can look out for if you want assurance that your pup loves you as much as you love them.
So, how do you know if your dog loves you? Here are five signs to watch for, plus a quick quiz to help you get to the bottom of this all-important question.
How to Tell if Your Dog Loves You
They might not be able to speak our language, but dogs still have plenty of ways of telling us how they feel. If any of these sound familiar, then you can rest assured that your furry friend is truly smitten with you.
1. They follow you wherever you go
If your dog is basically your shadow, then you don’t have to wonder if they love you. Dogs follow us around for the simple reason that they like being in our presence. It’s also one of the signs your dog is protecting you since it’s important to them that you don’t get out of sight.
2. They let you sit and lay with them
Physical touch is one of the best ways humans and dogs can show affection. If your pup is comfortable letting you snuggle up with them—or if they seek out snuggles themselves—then they’re letting you know they feel safe around you and want to be close.
3. They wag their tail when they see you
Dogs wag their tails for a lot of reasons. But if the tail wagging is combined with happiness and excitement at seeing you, then it’s an obvious profession of love. Other signs that a wagging tail is a sign of love are if the tail is being held in a higher than normal position and if it’s wagging at a super-fast pace.
4. They want to play with you
Every time your dog drops a toy, stick, or rolled-up ball of socks in your lap and asks you to play with them it’s a sign that they truly love you. It’s a special human indeed who gets this level of attention from a canine companion, and it indicates that your dog is wanting to engage with you—and is willing to share something important with you, too.
5. They sleep in your bed
Sleep is a vulnerable state for dogs since their defenses are down. So if your dog sleeps in your bed (or better yet, curled up next to you), that tells you they know they can be vulnerable around you and feel totally and 100% safe and loved. How’s that for creature comforts?
Does My Dog Love Me Quiz
The more of these questions you answer “yes” to, the more clear it is that your dog really and truly loves you.
- Does your dog sleep in bed with you?
- Does your dog greet you at the door when you return home?
- Does your dog feel comfortable spending time in another room when you’re home?
- Does your dog make eye contact with you?
- Does your dog play with you?
- Does your dog lick you?
- Does your dog steal your clothes and carry them around?
- Does your dog perk up when they see you?
Remember, dogs have their own personalities, so some dogs might naturally be less affectionate or playful. If that’s the case with your dog, it doesn’t mean they don’t love you! It just means they might have different ways of showing it.
If you want to show your love right back, make sure your dog is taken care of—even when you’re not there. Learn about our at-home pet care services in Boca Raton, Highland Beach, and Delray Beach, and give your dog the TLC they deserve.