How To Tell If Your Dog Loves You: 10 Signs to Look For

Dogs are loving and curious by nature. They thrive in social groups, and their long history alongside humans has fostered a deep connection with us.

Yet it's normal to wonder, “Does my dog really love me?”

Building trust with a new dog takes time and patience, and it's why dog matchmaker Heather Dickeson of Austin Pets Alive! offers the three-three-three rule for newly adopted dogs: they need three days to decompress, three weeks to learn your routine, and three months to feel at home.

Wherever you are in your life as a pet parent, it’s likely your dog signals their growing love and trust in their own ways.

Do Dogs Feel Love?

Studies suggest that dogs might feel love for their people. While their understanding of love may differ from our own, the underlying mechanisms are remarkably similar.

Like us, dogs who are lovestruck experience a delightful chemical rush in their brains. Dopamine lights  up their reward center, signaling that the feeling they're experiencing is positive.

Simultaneously, oxytocin levels surge.

This chemical messenger is dubbed the “love hormone” due to its role in creating secure bonds. These chemical reactions occur when pet parents simply gaze at, speak to, pet, or otherwise interact with their pet.

So, what does the love of a dog look like?

Let’s look at 10 signs that your dog loves you.

Signs Your Dog Loves You

1. They Wag Their Tail When They See You

One way to decipher your dog’s feelings is by paying close attention to their body language, like tail position and movements. A tucked tail signifies fear or stress, but a slightly upright, moderately wagging tail indicates happiness.

Another sign your dog loves you is a "helicopter tail"—when the wagging intensifies, causing the tail to whip about with excitement when they see you.

To strengthen your bond with your dog, pay attention to their different tail wags and dog body language as a whole. The better you know your dog’s language, the better you can understand them and meet their needs.

2. They Keep Eye Contact with You

Have you ever locked eyes with your dog to share a soft, loving look? The sentimental moment isn’t your imagination. Studies show that domesticated dogs have learned to use eye contact differently than their wild ancestors.

A hard stare from a dog can still signal a threat, so give them space if the look is intense, is accompanied by stiff body posture, or they’re guarding a resource such as food or a toy.

However, soft eye contact is a special way pet dogs communicate with us, like how humans connect with each other. What’s more, softly locking eyes with your pooch triggers an oxytocin release, strengthening your special connection.

3. They Greet You When You Come Home

Few things compare to an exuberant greeting from your furry bestie upon returning home, even if only after a short absence. Their excitement isn't about wanting a walk or playtime; it's an expression of their pure joy at your presence.

As long as your dog doesn’t suffer from separation anxiety, go ahead and join the celebration!

4. They Lick You

Speaking of excitement, while every dog has their own way of showing affection, you're probably familiar with those wet, slobbery dog kisses.

There are a few reasons why dogs lick their human companions, but one of the most heartwarming is that it's a natural continuation of their puppyhood experience. Puppies lick to maintain relationships with their mother and littermates, and your dog does the same now with you because you’re their family.

5. They Bring You Their Toys

You know your dog loves you if they bring you their favorite toy. This behavior is an invitation to play and a sign of affection. It shows they trust you with their prized possessions, and they enjoy spending time with you.

Engaging in playtime with your dog strengthens your bond and provides them with much-needed exercise, so take them up on the offer when you can.

6. They Raise Their Eyebrows at You

You might be an expert at reading other people’s facial expressions, but have you ever noticed your dog’s facial gestures?

Dogs make more facial expressions when their human is paying attention, suggesting these expressions are deliberate attempts at communication.

The most notable is the doggy smile, a sign of a happy pup. The eyebrow raise can also be an expression of love.

When dogs raise their inner eyebrows, their eyes appear larger and even more puppy-like.

Can't help but say "aww"? Scientists believe this expression is a deliberate attempt to trigger a nurturing response in humans, persuading us to shower them with more attention.

7. They Follow You Around

"Follow you around like a puppy dog" isn't just a saying; it's a sign that your dog loves you. Dogs are pack animals, and you're a favorite pack member.

Knowing they feel safest by your side is nice. However, if your furry shadow seems to be trailing a bit too much, offer them some mental stimulation like a puzzle toy while you go about your day.

8. They Sleep with You

Sleep is a vulnerable time for any animal, but your dog doesn't feel that way when curled up next to you. Studies indicate that dogs who have a secure relationship with their humans sleep better when they're close.

So next time your dog takes up half the bed, remember it's not just about the warmth—it's about the deep sense of security they feel nestled up with you.

9. They Rub Their Face Against Yours

There's nothing quite like the feeling of your dog nuzzling their face against yours. This adorable act of doggy love doesn’t just feel like it could melt your worries—it does. Physical contact between pups and humans, like those gentle nudges, lowers cortisol levels (stress hormones) in humans and dogs.

10. They Wiggle Around You

Dogs wear their hearts on their sleeves, and a full-body wiggle is a telltale sign your pup is head-over-heels in love. Unlike a tense or stiff posture that might indicate fear, a happy, lovestruck pup is loose and wiggly, and simply can't contain their excitement.

So while we may never know exactly what our dogs are thinking, there’s no doubt in most pet parents’ minds that dogs are capable of love. Which is just one of the reasons why we love them right back.