14 Signs Your Dog Loves You: How Do Dogs Show You Love?

For the most part, it’s pretty obvious when a dog likes you. The licks, the wags, the smiles! But just like people, some pups have reserved personalities. If you’re worried whether or not your dog is connected to you, take a look at their body language and then read the tell-tail signs below. Canines thrive on human companionship and love, so chances are, your pup would hold your hand if he could.

• Philip Tedeschi is the Director Emeritus and Founder of the Institute for Human-Animal Connection at the University of Denver and works with Rover to educate pet parents on how to build better relationships with their animals. He researches the interactions between people, animals and nature and teaches for the Human-Animal-Environmental Interaction Certificate at the University of Denver. 
• Dr. Michelle Dulake, DVM, is the Co-Founder and CEO of Fera Pets, a company that makes holistic supplements for dogs and cats to keep them healthy and increase longevity. 
• Dr. Gabre Denton is a veterinarian and veterinary surgeon in New York who works with TeachMe.To, helping pet family members learn training tips and techniques.  

Canines explore and interpret their environments through scent (they greet each other by sniffing butts, after all). “People rely more heavily on visual cues and recognition,” Tedeschi says. “Dogs rely more on olfactory information for this recognition and sense of connectedness.” When your dog sniffs you, it’s a strong indication they’re happy to see you. Since your smell is unique, not only does breathing in your essence ensure it’s really you, it triggers pleasure centers in your dog’s brain. Researchers from Emory University safely administered MRIs to dogs to determine what happens to their brains when presented with familiar scents. The result? Lots of activity in the caudate nucleus, the area of the brain linked to rewards and pleasure. In fact, nothing made the dog’s brain light up more than the smell of a human they knew well (that’s you!).

This may seem obvious, but greeting you at the door is a strong sign your dog feels connected to you. Sure, the greeting might be motivated by the promise of a potty break or dinner, but the alternative is a dog who retreats, which is a bad sign. “Dogs tend to express [their] deep connections by wanting to be in close proximity, often seen [in] behaviors of leaning in… vocalizing excitement when meeting,” Tedeschi says. So, a dog greeting you at the door with a wag and a whine means they’re happy to see you—and that’s a major win for the human-animal bond.

Dogs lick things to explore and interpret their environment. Kasey Stopp, DVM, CVA writes on PetMD that dogs use their tongues to improve their sense of smell and to let you know they’re feeling anxious. If your dog licks you, it could be their way of making sure you’re you. It could also be a sign that they need you to soothe some anxieties. Since mother dogs lick their pups, dogs may try to soothe themselves by licking you.

Tail wagging is a dead giveaway that your dog loves you. “Dogs are incredibly expressive animals, and they show emotion in a variety of ways,” Dr. Dulake says. “Tail wagging is the classic sign—when a dog’s tail wags in wide, happy arcs, that’s a good indicator they’re feeling joy.”  

Canines, even when asleep, protect themselves from potential predators. In the wild, they typically sleep in what VCA Animal Hospitals calls a “defensive position.” Picture a dog with its nose out (to smell anything unusual) and an entire pack with their backs facing in, forming a little circle of safety. Sleep is vulnerable! If your dog chooses to sleep with you or next to your bed, this means they trust you. You’re basically a pack member.

Like cats, dogs enjoy giving gifts to people they love. Unlike cats, who tend to present family members with nothing more than dead birds, dogs prefer toys. Of course, this is also a way to ask for something, like playtime. 

“Many canine behavior experts underline the importance of play as a method for communicating well-being and solidifying the friendly connection with others,” Tedeschi says. “Dogs use play to express friendship and love… If a person responds by starting to play, a dog gets the message that they are important, worth the time—playing together is an investment in one another.” 

What’s sweet about this behavior is your dog’s interest in you. Essentially, you’re friends and your dog is texting you to hang out.

According to The Kennel Club of the U.K., “If your dog follows you everywhere then it’s a sign that they trust and love you and that you make them feel safe.” As social animals, canines typically enjoy being around others (even dogs who are more reserved with other dogs tend to enjoy the company of humans they feel connected to). Similarly, if your dog follows you from room to room, snoozing in close proximity to you but not necessarily right on your heels, it’s still a sign they love ya. There are definitely some dogs who suffer from separation anxiety, though that behavior is more often characterized by what happens when you aren’t around.

As Dr. Denton says, relaxation is a key indicator your dog loves you. “Relaxed ears, soft eyes, and leaning into you are also signs of affection or contentment,” he says. “On the other hand, anxious dogs may exhibit behaviors like pacing, yawning, tail between their legs or licking their lips excessively.” All dogs are individuals, so take note of which signs your pup gives when he feels relaxed or playful. 

Now, similarly to cats, dogs will make direct and prolonged eye contact with you if they feel safe around you. While some research shows young puppies and playful dogs are most likely to make strong eye contact a habit, the American Kennel Club says all types of dogs lock eyes to figure out what’s going on with us. They’re literally trying to read our minds. Other studies have discovered dogs (especially females) pick up on and mirror human emotions and this bond deepens over time. Canine brains have even been known to release oxytocin while making eye contact with their favorite people.

Yes, dogs know to come when they hear their names, but what about yours? If you see your dog’s ears perk up (or their whole head swivel, if you’re lucky) when someone says your name, this means they are so connected to you they want to be involved at the mere mention of you. Whether you’re physically present or simply spoken of in passing, your dog is all ears.

Corgis, cattle dogs and just about every registered Belgian dog breed are members of the Herding Group. This means their instincts to wrangle groups into organized pods are strong. Though sort of funny to observe, this behavior could actually be a sign of affection. Herding breeds care about their charges and don’t want anyone to get lost. At the very least, this means your dog is observant and notices where you (or your kids) move—and wants to help protect.

“If your dog is licking you or rolling over to show their belly, it’s a sign they trust and love you!,” Dr. Dulake says. The belly exposure is huge because it puts dogs in a very vulnerable position. They are basically exposing their organs to you, knowing you won’t harm them. 

On the other hand, the Humane Society of Huron Valley says you have to check the context clues to really understand your dog’s message. Dogs with relaxed faces, legs splayed out, writhing around probably want belly rubs. Dogs with stiff bodies, tense faces, closed mouths and one leg in the air may not be interested in touching.  

If your dog carries the things that smell the most like you with him wherever he goes, he likely loves you so much he wants to keep a reminder of you with him all the time. This is different than tearing apart your slippers or eating your shirts. Nuzzling you-scented stuff is pure affection. 

“Dogs have evolved to be expressive beings to better connect with humans,” Tedeschi says, referencing a 2017 study out of the University of Portsmouth that revealed dogs make more facial expressions when humans look at them. Domesticated dogs have learned that when we’re looking at them, they can communicate with just a look. Pretty amazing. 

If you’re on the receiving end of any or all of these signs your dog loves you, it stands to reason they feel the love you give. If you’re not sure whether your dog senses that you love them, investigate their body language when you’re around. If they tense up or refuse to make eye contact, that could mean they don’t trust you yet or you’re doing something that makes them uncomfortable.  

“Quality time is something we identify in our human relationships as a measure of being someone’s priority,” Tedeschi says. “This holds true in the canine/human relationship as well… Putting your phone away, moving with your dog, getting off leash and sharing toys and treats are all familiar rituals we would do with our family and friends to express our connection, and dogs also appreciate being centered in our busy lives.”

“Dog parents can strengthen their bond [with their dogs] by spending quality time together, whether it’s through play, walks, or cuddling,” Dr. Denton says. He also recommends training sessions and teaching dogs tricks as excellent bonding activities. Not only does it improve your dog’s skills, it builds trust and affection between you. “Plus, just paying attention to what makes your dog happy goes a long way!”

Dr. Dulake agrees, adding that consistent routines and positive reinforcement are essential to strong bonds with pups. “Dogs love structure, so sticking to regular feeding times, walks, and play sessions builds trust,” she says. 

Tedeschi reminds pet parents that even small gestures have big impacts. “When your pet enters the room, it’s very important to them to hear you acknowledge them. ‘Good morning, Juniper’ goes a long way to knowing you see them.” 

Dr. Dulake encourages keeping your dog well-fed, too. “Don’t underestimate the power of healthy food and supplements…Giving your dog high-quality nutrition shows you care about their overall well-being,” she says. 

All of our experts note that actions speak louder than words. Dogs need your time.  

“Remember their whole world is you,” Dr. Denton says. “Even if you’ve had a long day and don’t feel like you have the energy, they have been waiting all day for their best friend to return home, so give them all the love.” 

At the end of the day, a dog who loves you is a dog who enjoys your company and seeks you out. Greeting you at the door with an eager face, a wagging tail, a toy or all three is a sign you’re the apple of their eye. In return, we suggest you hold their gaze, let them sniff you, take them for a long walk, then end the day cuddled up together in bed. But that’s just us.