5 Telltale Signs Your Dog Truly Loves You

Every dog parent has gazed with love into the eyes of their beloved companion and wondered if the feeling was reciprocated. Are they actually excited to see you? Are they truly happy when you give them hugs and scratches?

Whatever concerns you've had about your relationship with your canine friend being one-sided, consider those worries gone. Research shows that dogs experience positive reactions to human scents , even more than they do to fellow dog scents! Clearly, our pets love us back, but sometimes, it can be hard to tell. So we've compiled a list of visible signs indicating your dog is experiencing a positive feeling towards you.

5 Signs Your Dog Loves You

Does your pup check any of these boxes? They probably do!

1. Eye contact

While an intense stare might signal some stressed or aggressive feelings, a gentle stare from your furry pal means that they trust you wholeheartedly. Like humans, dogs can eye gaze with love too! Look for that relaxed eye contact, and you'll know they're sending you love.

2. Body wiggles

Tail wags can mean a lot of things, but full-body wiggles usually indicate something specific: they're excited to see you! The faster the tail, the more love they have. You know you have a special bond when the wiggles start way up at their shoulders and travel down to their tail.

3. Gift giving

You know how kids will bring home their artwork from school and beg you to put it up on the fridge? How they bring you the bugs they found outside and the flowers they found in the garden? Dogs do the same thing. If your pup brings you their toys or backyard finds, chances are they count you as family.

4. Nap time snuggles

For a dog, sleeping in the arms of a human means total and complete trust. Since dogs in the wild tend to stay alert and poised during sleep , a dog that's totally relaxed on the bed or couch with you clearly sees you as someone they trust.

5. At your heels

It may be annoying when your pup follows you around the house all day, up and downs stairs, inside and outside. But they don't just do this for no reason! Dogs that follow you consider you a safe place and they could choose to be anywhere but. they would rather be by your side.

Chances are that the behaviors you spot all the time from your beloved pet mean that they have true puppy love for you! From sticking by your side to gazing in your eyes, your furry friend is constantly showing you how much they appreciate you. You just have to know how to spot it!