Have you ever asked yourself the question, "does my dog really love me?" We're going to help you figure out all of the signs your dog loves you and does his best to show it.Â
1. You're part of his pack if he likes to sleep with you at night. By nature, dogs like to sleep in a pack next to each other. When your pup falls asleep next to you or wants to sleep in your room, it's a sign they trust you and feel safe with you.
2. Those eyebrows, they wiggle at you. Dogs use facial expressions to tell us how they're feeling. Studies have shown that dogs raise their eyebrows for their owners but not for strangers.
3. He likes to bring you his favorite toy to play with. If your dog delivers his favorite toy to you as a gift (and not just for a game of tug), he's showing that he wants to share his most prized belongings with you.Â
4. He makes direct eye contact with you. Dogs reserve prolonged, gentle eye contact exclusively for the people they trust and love. In the wild, direct eye contact can be used as an intimidation and dominance tactic, but when they hold your gaze without their pupils dilating, it's a signal of adoration. Â
5. When you yawn, he yawns. It's contagious for dogs as well as humans, which shows that your dog is emotionally connected with you. Studies show dogs that are bonded with people are more likely to yawn when their humans do.Â
6. He likes to plant some doggie kisses on your face. Your dog may lick you for a variety of reasons, but primarily it's a sign of affection.Â
7. It's a sign of affection when he leans against you. It shows he sees you as someone who will keep him safe. It's best to let them seek out these leans, cuddles and nuzzles on their own terms so they always feel safe with you.Â
8. His face lights up when you get home from work. Is there anything better than coming home to your pup who is thrilled to see you? The warm and excited greeting is a sure sign that he missed you while you were gone and he's so happy you're home.Â
9. After a meal, he likes to cuddle with you. Dogs live for immediate gratification, so he will choose food over human interaction. But when the meal is done, many dogs wants to snuggle up with their people.Â
10. He's fairly calm when you leave because he knows you're coming back soon. While your dog may occasionally follow your every move, a dog that feels secure will occasionally choose to relax and leave you be as you move around your home or even leave for a while. This shows that they trust you won't abandon them.Â
11. He likes to take articles of your clothing to bed. This is a way for your dog to feel close to you. It's also a way for your pup to combine your scent with his to bond the pack together.Â
12. He gets jealous if you pay attention to someone else. It's normal for dogs to guard resources that matter to them - including you. Whining or inserting himself physically shows he's a bit jealous, but be careful that this behavior doesn't turn aggressive.Â
13. Is protective when you're out on walks but listens to your instruction. Your dog considers you part of his pack, and with this he will try to protect you.Â