Do you know the ways your dog says “I love you”? Most dog owners know their dogs love them. At least hypothetically. There is, of course, truth to this. But wouldn’t it better if we can know for sure?
If you want or need to know for sure that your dog loves you, there are ways to find out. Here are just four of the many ways your dog says”I love you”.
When they Stare At You Straight in the Eye
According to dog-lover, Anderson Cooper, New York Times best-seller, Dr. Brian Hare once gave him a tip about dogs. He told him that when your dog looks you in the eye, they are embracing you.
Dr.Hare shared this tip with Cooper while promoting his book named The Genius of Dogs. To discourage dog lovers from trying to engage in eye contact with strange dogs on the street, he warned against doing so this with any dog other than your own.
A dog that does not know you will not be too keen on telling you they love you. Yes, the rules are quite the same as with human interaction.
Now if you wish to gauge how much your dog loves you, be on the lookout for how often and how long they look you in the eye. Similar to humans, the eye is the door to the soul of your dog as well. Observe their eyes if you want to see ways your dog says “I love you”.
Little girl and her small dog love each other
When they Raise their Left Eyebrow at You
When your pup raises their left eyebrow at you, they are not trying to be snobbish or mean. The opposite is true; they are affectionate. This insight we owe to a study released in 2013 in the Behavioral Processes scientific journal.
In this Japanese-led research, dog’s facial activities monitored through the employment of a high-speed camera.
Findings show that when strangers meet dogs, they use the right side of their face, which is controlled by the more analytical side of their brain–the left side.
Meanwhile, when dogs are around their owner, their facial activities happen more on the left side of their face, which is controlled by the more emotional side of their brain–the right side.
Therefore, a raised left eyebrow from your dog is an affectionate and emotional response. It is one of the ways your dog says “I love you”, among many other sweet things.
Leaning Against You Is One of the Ways Your Dog Says “I Love You”
When dogs press their entire weight against your body, such as on your legs when you are standing up, they are telling you how much they trust and love you. In Dog language, this simple act of learning equates to an elaborate show of affection.
Sleeping With You Is One of the Major Ways Your Dog Says “I Love You”
Dogs, just like any other animal, are in their most vulnerable state when they are asleep. If you notice your dog wanting to spend their sleeping time with you in your bed, or while your lounging on your couch, pay attention. This is as good as them telling you they are surrendering their entire life into your hands. If that does not equate to love, then what will?
A Boy and his Mastiff Napping
Beverly Conway
Maggie gets so excited when she sees me. I KNOW she loves me. She does lean on me, a lot, all 150#’s. She is not allowed in my bed, I love her but that is where I draw a line. I think she would rather be on the cool floor anyway. I wonder what it would mean if they lift their right eyebrow.