Your dog craves your attention and even just a few minutes of back massage, belly rubs and ear scratches go a long way. Speak to him in quiet, soothing tones. Tell him he’s a good boy. Give him a safe and healthy treat that’s made just for dogs. Treat him like he’s part of your family, because he would do anything for you, no questions asked.
What are some things you do to let your dogs know you love them in their language? Let us know by tweeting us @FetchPetCare. At
Any intuitive dog owner can attest to the fact that one of the most beautiful gifts dogs have to offer us is their unconditional love. A dog will always be happy to see you, cuddle you, play — whatever it may be! Dogs will love you because they are loyal and because you are their master and caretaker. For this they are eternally grateful and brimming with unfiltered love for you — which lends itself to the title of “man’s best friend”. Do you know how to tell your dog you love them in their own language?
An excellent way to communicate your love is through positive reinforcement. Dogs thrive off of structure and learning. Training will let present your dog with their favorite forms of motivation, whether that’s food, praise, or play, and your dog will come to see you as a provider of the things he loves the most. He’ll see that when he works with you, he’s making you happy, and your rewards will make him happy in return. When you both work to make each other happy, you’re both showing your love for each other.
Dogs respond to your gestures and body language in a way that you may not be aware of, so, we’ve provided you with five easy techniques that will help you tell your dog you love him or her in dog language. Give these a try and you may be pleasantly surprised at how much of a deeper connection you will feel with your dog almost instantaneously.
Signs Your Dog Knows You Love Them
Your dog shows you love them through body language and behavior. For example, they will stare at you and make direct eye content. This is their way of saying they trust and love you. They will also have obvious signs like a big smile, a wagging tail and a bottom-wiggle.
They recognize your name
Dogs understand language more than we may realize. In addition to learning their own name, they have the ability to learn your name – and be visibly excited when someone uses it.
They want to share their toys with you
Sharing toys is another way dogs express love. If a dog really loves you, they will often bring you their favorite toy. This is their way of showing they care.
They will guard and protect you
Some dogs will naturally protect you from dangers such as people trying to break into your home, and they will guard your home day and night to ensure this doesn’t happen. You might even notice they are “on guard” while you’re eating. This is their way of showing you belong to their pack.
They might try to herd you
Some breeds are known for their herding tendencies. If your dog tries to make sure all family members stay together, they could be displaying herding tendencies. This is their way of showing affection for their pack.
They will rub their face on you
Rubbing their face on you is your dog marking you as “theirs” and is a common way to show affection. Of course, if your dog is rubbing his or her face on everything in sight, you might have them checked by a veterinarian to make sure they don’t have a skin problem, like mites or dandruff.
Your dog might climb onto your lap if they sense you are upset. Most dogs are very in tune with their owners’ emotions and will often try to be close to you during times of stress.
They lean on you
Dogs lean on you to be close to you. This is their way of showing affection. They might even lay on your feet!
They will bring you things to “fix”
Some dogs will bring you a broken toy or other object. This is showing they have faith you will fix the broken item for them.
They cuddle with you
Because dogs have a pack mentality, they consider you as part of their close-knit pack, meaning they want to show you love and affection. If your dog is cuddling and snuggling with you, it’s a sign they love you and know you love them.
Dogs are one of the most observant animals out there when it comes to interpreting and reacting to human expression. One behavioral study actually showed that they were more attuned to human expressions than apes. Another more recent study indicated that dogs communicate with us in similar ways. That raising of the eyebrow? That’s your dog indicating something to you in a completely nonverbal way.
I learned this with my dog a long time ago and it’s worked wonders for our relationship. According to Canidae, dogs lean their heads on each other as a sign of affection. Something as simple as leaning up against your leg is a sign your dog loves you and if you do the same thing, they will know you love them back. It’s a subtle gesture, but it’s effective. On top of that, some dogs might feel threatened if you go in for a big ol’ hug.
This is perhaps the most important one. We all have things that keep us busy or distracted throughout the day, be it work, our cell phones, chores, or the internet. Pet parenting is more than just picking up a dog, training them, and taking them for granted. You are everything to your dog, so take a few minutes now and then to show them that they matter. It’s good for your mental health and it’s good for theirs. The love you give is, and always has been, the love you get in return. AdvertisementMore from Green Matters
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Talking with your dog is a good way to show that you regard them. Studies using MRI technology have shown that dogs do possess a cursory understanding of human language. In this case, they mostly respond to words like treat, stay, walk, or good. Even if they cannot fully understand you, they know you’re talking to them, and they will appreciate the attention from their favorite human. Article continues below advertisement
9 Ways to Tell Your Dog You Love Them
As a puppy parent, you’re probably used to giving your dog all manner of attention. If your dog is anything like mine, they probably demand it of you. We feed them, walk them, pick up their… well you know, but are all these things “love” to a dog? In some ways, they are, though some things might get lost in translation. So, how do you tell your dog you love them in a way that they will fully comprehend? The answers might surprise you. Article continues below advertisement