Do dogs know you love them

Does Your Dog Know You Love Them? What Science Says

Have you ever wondered if your dog truly understands how much you love them? Your actions, the tone of your voice, and even your facial expressions say a lot more than you know. Your dog can read these signs just as you can interpret their signals of love for you.

Something as simple as a rub behind the ears or going for a walk at the same time each day can speak volumes. There's a good chance your dog already knows how much you love them, but adding these eight actions to your day can reinforce the sentiment.

Fast Fact

Science provesdogs can feel love. When they display emotional responses to you, their brains release oxytocinthe "love" hormone which is associated with trust and affection, and yes, love.

Do Dogs Feel Love?

Dogs are social animals who show and are shown affection as soon as they're born. Their mother licks their face and nuzzles them. Puppies also engage in these behaviors with their littermates as ways to bond.Dogs not only feel love, but they also have their own unique ways of expressing and receiving it. Just a few of these include:

• Cuddling or leaning against you
• Soft eye contact with you
• Following you around
• Joyfully greeting you
• Licking you

RELATED: 10 Ways Dogs Show You They Love You

Quick Tip

You can mimic similarbehaviors as a way to say "I love you" in dog language.

8 Ways to Tell Your Dog You Love Them

Want to tell your dog you love them in ways they'll understand? These eight simple actions will express the deep adoration you have for your dog to strengthen your special bond.

1. Stick With a Routine

This may not seem like an act of love, but it is to your dog. Canines are creatures of habit and thrive off knowing what to expect and when they can expect it. An easy way to show your dog you love them is to stick with a routine. Feed them their meals at the same time every day, go for regular walks, and try to stick with a standard bedtime. This will build your pup's trust in you and show them you love them.

2. Engage in a Petting Sesh

Dogs love a gentle massage; not only does petting release feel-good hormones in their brain, but it's also how they show affection amongst members of their pack. Make time every day to give your dog lots of gentle pets behind their ears, on their chest, or wherever else they enjoy. This is also a great opportunity for you to feel their skin to catch any early bumps or areas of pain.

3. Nap Together

Dogs sleep on or near you as a way to show their love, so do the same. Take a nap while lying next to your dog. If you're not tired, you can read or give your dog some gentle pets. Just being there provides them with security and the knowledge that you're essentially standing guard over them, which is absolutely an act of love!

4. Offer Verbal Praise

Do you want your dog to know you love them? Tell them! They won't understand the words, but they'll get your tone. Speak to your dog softly and lovingly while you stroke their head or ears. Use positive words you know they respond to, like "Good dog" or "Who wants a treat?" Of course, you'll need to make good on your offer, too!

5. Give Them a Tasty Treat

The way to a dog's heart is through their stomach, amirite? Tasty treats or a special meal can show your dog you love them, although you don't want to overdo it. Make sure treats don't make up more than 10 percent of your dog's daily caloric intake.

6. Get Moving

Exercise is important for everyone, and engaging in it together can be a great way to show your dog you love them. Take them for a stroll around the block or to a park you've never explored so they can bask in the new scents. This is also a great form of enrichment, and it shows your dog they are part of your pack.

7. Play Fun Games

Who doesn't love to play? Puppies roughhouse as a way of bonding and socializing with each other. You can mimic this behavior by initiating playtime with your dog. Invite them to play a game of fetch or tug-of-war with your dog to express your love.

8. Make Soft Eye Contact

A hard stare can be seen as a sign of aggression in dogs, but studies show that a soft, relaxed gaze is associated with love. When you and your dog gaze into each other's eyes, you both experience a rise in oxytocin levels. That's the same hormone associated with mothers and newborn babies. And, let's face it, your dog is your fur child, so that tracks.

Need to Know

Keep in mind that a soft gaze can be interpreted differently by dogs who don't know you well. Never stare a dog you don't know in the eyes.

Let Your Dog Know You Love Them

Dogs have lived with humans for more than 30,000 years, which means they truly are our best friends. They're grown to understand our expressions of love, just as we've learned theirs. There's no doubt your dog knows just how much you love them, but if you're ever worried, use these simple tricks to remind them.

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Do Dogs Know We Love Them?

Can dogs understand that we love them by how we care for them and the affection we give them? Dogs are actually able to understand more than what we give them credit for. In this AnimalWised article we're going to explain how dogs know we love them.

We will also answer other questions related to this subject, such as how to tell your dog you love them, whether dogs actually understand kisses and how to tell if your dog is happy. Keep reading to learn more!

Do dogs know we love them?

Many caregivers wonder whether their dog can actually understand that they are loved. According to science the answer is yes. Dogs mentally understand you love them and that they are part of your family.

We especially know this because a dog's oxytocin level goes up when we look at them, and so do ours! This hormone is often referred to as the love hormone as it is normal to see its levels rise when humans have a child, however it also rises in romantic relationships. This is why this hormone is often associated with affection, empathy and trust.

This is what makes dogs feel loved when we look at them, call them softly or cuddle with them. Both of your levels of oxytocin rises making both of you, you and your dog, feel happy and loved!

How do I tell my dog I love him?

Now that we know that dogs can indeed understand our love, here are some things you can do to show your dog you love them:

• Take them on a walk: dogs like to go out for a walk, and even more so with a member of their family with whom they have a strong social and emotional bond. So going for a walk with your dog is one of the best ways to show them how important they are to you and how much you love them.
• Give them more freedom on walks: taking them out for a walk and giving them the freedom to sniff, mark a tree or socialize with other dogs is something that dogs will also appreciate. However, caregivers must also understand that this is also vital to the wellbeing of the dog.
• Do not punish them: punishment, in addition to not being effective, can seriously damage the relationship between you and your dog, so it is always advisable to opt for positive reinforcement. Treating your dog with love and understanding will also be another way of making them understand that you love him.
• Give them attention: your dog depends on you and will often call you or want your attention. To show your dog that you love and care for them it's very important that you give them the attention that they need. Keep in mind that each dog is different and some will need more attention than others.
• Protect them from danger: your dog will look to you when they are frightened, whether it is lightening, fireworks, etc., they will need you to be there with them and let them know that everything will be okay. Don't leave them alone when they are scared.
• Spending time with them: dogs are pack animals that enjoy being with their family all day. That's why it's important you spend time with them, not only when feeding them or taking them out for a walk, but also when you are relaxing.
• Play with them: perhaps the most obvious thing you can do to make a dog feel loved is to play with them. When a dog associates their companion with entertaining moments of play, they will feel a deep bond with them. So don't forget to play with your dog today!
• Give them affection: dogs need to cuddle and relax with you just as much as a child needs love from their parents. Your dog may even demand some affection at certain times when they are feeling particularly affectionate, happy or even sad and need some reinforcement. Give your dog affection to let them know they are loved and cared for.

Now you know how your dog knows that you love him, but... what about vice versa? In this other AnimalWised article we explain how to know if your dog loves you.

Do dogs understand when you kiss them?

Yes, dogs associate kisses with affection and love. If we give them kisses from a young age, they will understand that it is how we give affection. However, if a dog has never been given kisses and out of the blue received a kiss, they will most probably not understand what we mean by it as it is human behaviour, not canine.

If your dog isn't used to kisses, or doesn't really enjoy them, try to show them your love and affection by being close to them, talking softly and petting them gently. It always takes time for a dog to understand their companion and form a bond with them. You may also be wondering if dogs like being hugged.

How to know if a dog is happy

Lastly, how can we know if our dog is happy? Here are some common signs that your dog is happy:

• They are playful and curious
• They have a good appetite
• They sleep enough hours
• They demand affection
• They give you affection in their own way
• They pay attention to any changes
• They interact with other dogs and humans on walks
• Their body language demonstrates they're happy

Basically, they will show no behavioural issues and will be experiencing a happy and healthy lifestyle. For this, you will need to make sure all of their needs are met, this includes a healthy diet, plenty of walks throughout the day, play time, socialization and affection. You will also need to keep up with their regular veterinarian check-ups and also keep up with their deworming and vaccination schedule. By making sure our dog isn't ill, we ensure that they live a high quality life and can enjoy their life with us.

Watch our video below to learn more about how to make a dog happier!

Bibliography

• Desmond Morris. (nineteen ninety six). Guide to understand dogs . Ed. EMEC.
• Konrad Lorenz. (1985). Considerations on animal and human behavior . Ed. Planeta-Agostini.

Does My Dog Know I Love Them? 8 Ways to Tell

When you see your dogs adoring eyes and happily wagging tail, its clear how much they love you, and theres no doubt about how you feel about your dog. You express your love for them through your words and how you look after them.

But do dogs really understand how much their owners love them? Its easy to imagine that they do, but knowing for certain would be nice!

It turns out that dogs do know of our great love for them. Here, we go over how you can tell that your dog not only appreciates but also understands how much you love them.

The 8 Ways to Tell if Your Dog Knows You Love Them

1. The Eyes

When dogs feel loved, they will show you love right back. One way that your dog does this is by staring at you for no discernible reason.

Dr. Brian Hareis a member of the Center of Cognitive Neuroscience and an expert in canine cognition.¹ He says that when your dog stares at you like this, they are essentially hugging you with their eyes.

2. The Lean

When your dog leans against you, it indicates that they love and trust you. Strong physical contact like leaning on your leg or lying on your feet means your dog is comfortable with you and feels reassured that youre there with them. A dog wouldnt do this if they didnt feel loved by you.

3. Herding Behavior

Not all dogs will herd their family, but herding breeds are more likely to start herding you and other household members. This behavior is their way of keeping their humans together so they are protected. This also tells you that you are part of your dogs pack.

4. Body Language

Dogs may stare at you, lean on you, wag their tail, happily wiggle their bottom, and give you a lovely doggy smile.

5. Sharing

When your dog brings you something like their favorite toy or blanket, its a clear sign of their love. They recognize that you do nice things for them, so they want to do something nice in return.

They might even bring you one of their belongings that needs fixing, which shows that they trust you enough to repair it for them.

6. Guarding

Dogs that take a protective stance with their family are demonstrating their guardianship of their pack. Your dog may also guard you while youre having dinner (if they arent giving you sad eyes as you eat).

7. Comfort

When dogs sense that youre unhappy and in need of a little TLC, they might attempt to comfort you. This is when you might get a full-body lean, or theyll try to crawl onto your lap. When dogs feel loved, they are more likely to be in tune with your emotions.

8. Cuddling

An obvious sign that your dog loves you and knows that you love them too is physical affection. When your dog comes to you for snuggles, they consider you a part of their close-knit pack and will show you love that they know that you will reciprocate.

Science Tells Us Why We Bond With Dogs

Oxytocinis a hormone responsible for our bonds with our loved ones, though it is primarily known as the love hormone for its function in childbirth.

When you interact with your dog, the levels of oxytocin in your and your dogs brains go up, which makes you both feel good. It can also happen during playtime and when youre giving and receiving affection. This is how bonds are formed.

Basically, science can explain why it makes us so happy when we spend time with our dogs and why we both feel such a strong bond.

Top 6 Ways That You Can Show Your Dog How Much You Love Them

There are a few simple ways to leave no doubt about how much you love your dog.

1. Gentle Touch

Giving your dog gentle and soothing pets and strokes can convey your love for them. Pay special attention to their ears: Rubbing your dogs ears helps release oxytocin because they contain nerve endings, making them feel great!

2. Talking to Them

Studies have shown that dogs can understand an average of89 words and phrases, so theres no doubt that they at least know their names. They especially enjoy it when you use your dog voice for them.

Spend time just talking to them, even if they dont understand your words. You can even read something out loud to them; the sound of your voice is what makes them feel loved.

3. Walks

Walks are an everyday necessity for dogs, but we dont always take the time to go for a leisurely walk or a hike with our dogs.

Spending time with your dog outdoors forces you to be more present rather than just watching TV and fiddling with your phone. Long walks with your dog can also help you form a stronger bond.

4. Training Sessions

Doing extra training with your dog allows you to interact more with them, and using positive reinforcement will also strengthen your bond.

Training helps form routines, and your dog can have their good behavior rewarded with treats, playtime, and verbal praise.

5. Leaning

A dog leaning on you is like the dog version of a hug and their way of letting you know that they love and trust you.

Try leaning gently on your dog, as this will communicate to them that you love them back, which will develop into a deep trust between you.

6. Eye Contact

Making eye contact is a dogs way of hugging you with their eyes, and you can do the same to them. In fact,raising your left eyebrowwhile gazing into your dogs eyes is a sign of affection. Speak to them softly and pet them while maintaining loving eye contact.

However, direct eye contact with a dog that doesnt know you well will see this as a challenge and a sign of aggression.

What You Shouldnt Do

We sometimes do things with our dogs that we believe show affection but arent always welcome or a good idea.

• Hugs:While we might love hugging our dogs, most dogs dont. Hugs can make them feel trapped, and they might construe it as a threatening action. Stick with leaning against your dog as a way to hug them, as they will appreciate this.
• Kissing: This is unhygienic for you both, and some dogs just dont like it when you put your face close to theirs.Your dog leaning away from you and looking in another direction, licking their lips, and showing the whites of their eyes are all signs of stress. Dont kiss your dog if you notice any of these signs.
• Treats: Treats should be used primarily for training and special occasions. Too many treats can lead to obesity. There are better ways to show your dog how much you love them.

Conclusion

Dogs show us how much they love us in unique ways, though they are perfectly normal for a dogs pack. When you learn how to read your dogs body language, youll be able to understand them better.

Dogs do seem to know how to read your emotional state, and if you want to show your dog how much you love them, your bond can only grow stronger.

Featured Image Credit: Ryk Porras, Unsplash