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10 Ways Your Dog Tells You He Loves You

by Cory Brannon July 14, 2016

We’d like to think our dogs love us…and most of us would swear that they do. We can tell by how happy they are to see us when we get home and they loyal companionship. And now, thanks to a recent study, it seems that scientific data finally backs us up.

Not only does your dog love you, but he tells you he loves you in his own way, every day. Here are 10 ways he lets you know:

1. Licking your face.

Dogs lick people’s faces for a few different reasons, but in many cases it’s a sign of love and affection. The behavior comes from wolf cubs, who lick their mothers’ faces to signal hunger so they can be fed. Dogs don’t feed their pups the same way, but the licking instinct is still there.

2. Jumping on you.

It might be annoying, but your dog jumps on you to greet you and to get a whiff of your face. He missed you!

3. Sticking by your side when you’re sick.

Dogs have a natural instinct to care for their “pack.” So when your dog notices that you’re stick, he’ll stay by your side to “take care of you” and watch over you.

4. Following you around.

Do you have a shadow when you’re at home? As the alpha in your dog’s life, you’re his leader, and he knows he should stay by your side. Besides… you might eat something eventually that he’ll need to help you with.

5. Leaning on you.

Leaning against you is your dog’s way of both showing you attention and asking for it in return. When it happens, try to take a moment to sit down and pet him. That way, he’ll know the feeling is mutual.

6. Sleeping close to you.

Dogs are pack animals, and since you’re part of his pack, it’s only natural for your pup to want to curl up on your bed (or near it) when you sleep. It’s up to you if you’ll allow it, of course.

7. Playing with you.

A bit of roughhousing is your dog’s way of playing with you and showing affection. It’s perfectly healthy, and it can actually strengthen your bond. Just don’t let him get carried away (no biting!).

8. Staring into your eyes.

Does your dog make eye contact with you? When he looks into your eyes, oxytocin is released. That’s the same hormone that helps new mothers bond with their babies. But let your dog make the first move… he might seem a little creeped out if you try to engage in a staring contest.

9. Cuddling with you after a meal.

This might be one of the biggest indications that your dog truly loves you. Dogs are, obviously, very motivated by food. But according to some experts, once the dog finishes his food, his next action (after he relieves himself) can signify what’s most important to him besides eating.

10. Bringing you his favorite toy.

When your dog comes to you with his toy of choice in his mouth and drops it at your feet, it doesn’t just mean he wants to play. It also means he thinks of you as his pack leader and he doesn’t mind sharing.