16 signs your dog loves you: a guide to canine contentment

Whether house sitting is your hobby of choice or you’ve got a pooch of your own at home and you welcome pet sitters on the regular, you’ll know the unrivaled feeling that love from a pup conjures in us humans. But, have you ever wondered how your pup really feels? How do dogs show affection? Are they just around for the biscuits, walkies and treats? Well here we’re cracking the case, exploring all the signs your dog loves you and the behaviors that show your pooch is totally smitten. So, is it puppy love? Let’s find out…

Signs your dog loves you

1. They go crazy when you get home
2. They lay on your feet
3. They squeeze in next to you
4. They lean on you
5. They follow you around
6. They want to sleep near you
7. They roll over for you
8. They give you eye contact
9. They’re relaxed around you
10. They kiss (lick) you
11. They nose you
12. They paw you 
13. They ‘happy sigh’
14. They herd you
15. They love sniffing you
16. They bring you presents

They go crazy when you get home

One of the sure signs your dog loves you is their reaction to your arrival home - find them wagging their tail, jumping up and maybe even doing a 360 in excitement for both you and other family members (and FYI, this is also a sign your cat is missing you, but it'll be more purring than jumping!).

They lay on your feet

Not only do they make lovely pets, dogs are also the perfect hot water bottles! If you find your pup heading over to your feet for a nuzzle and a cuddle, it’s a sure sign they love you just a weeny bit. 

They squeeze in next to you

Any dog lover will find this behavior totally endearing - if you’ve got a pup at home, you might notice that (no matter their size, and no matter how tight the space), they still squeeze in next to you, just so that they can be near you! 

They lean on you

Nope, your pooch isn’t being lazy - if they lean their body weight on you (and they’re showing other signs of relaxation like soft eyes and a lack of alertness), then they’re basically giving you their best attempt at a hug.

They follow you around

Another sure sign your dog loves you is that they follow you everywhere you go! Trotting along behind you shows your pup feels safe in your company - just be careful to watch out for those paws!

They want to sleep near you

Pups are pack animals, so as social creatures, it’s no surprise that dogs prefer to sleep near those they love, plus it’s a good sign that they trust you. Not to worry if you’re not keen on the idea of your pooch going upstairs, though. Simply get your furry family used to the sleeping arrangements you’d rather from a young age, and they shouldn’t feel the difference.

They roll over for you

Love and trust go hand in hand, and rolling over is a sure sign your dog is happy and loves you. Displaying their underside for belly rubs shows your pup feels safe in your company - it’s a harder position to get out of than simply laying down, and it shows off their most vulnerable body parts - so it shows they don’t feel at all threatened in your company (and love you enough to request a tummy tickle).

They give you eye contact

If your pup looks into your eyes, it’s a clear sign your dog loves you! Eye contact can be uncomfortable for our canine companions - in the wild, it was often used to establish dominance over other dogs. So, if they’re lovingly staring into your eyes (and they’re showing all the signs they’re relaxed), you can be sure they’re totally smitten!

They’re relaxed around you

You pup’s body language says it all - if your dog feels relaxed around you, then there’s a pretty good chance they hold you in high regard. A dog on high alert all the time shows they’re not in good company!

They kiss (lick) you

If you’re a new companion to members of the canine world, you might be wondering - do dogs have feelings? Well we can absolutely - without a shadow of a doubt - say yes! If the pooch in your company licks your face, you can be sure you’re in their good books - it’s a clear sign of affection (no matter how gross you find it!).

They nose you

While us pet parents can be sure of our devout feelings for our furry family, we can sometimes be left wondering - do dogs love us, or are they just here for the food? Well one way dogs show affection is through nose-bumping you. Totally adorable and completely affectionate, it’s your pup’s way of getting your attention!

They paw you

While your pooch might not appreciate holding hand to paw, they’ll certainly love you if you respond to their (ever so polite) request for a cuddle.

They ‘happy sigh’

If you were ever doubting whether dogs feel love, you can be sure they certainly do if your pooch snuggles up and produces a (seriously cute) ‘happy sigh’. It’s a sign of sheer canine contentment, so next time your pup lays down, pay attention to that adorable sound!

They herd you

If you’ve got a cattle dog or Corgi at home, you might have been shepherded around a little in the past! While this can seem a little uncalled for, it could easily be a sign that your pup feels totally comfortable around you, and wants to protect you.

They love sniffing you

As a fellow pooch fanatic, you’ll probably already know that our canine companions have a pretty impressive sense of smell. So, when you notice your pup cuddling up to your dirty laundry, don’t be grossed out - it’s a sign your dog loves you!

They bring you presents

If you were ever unsure about whether dogs feel love, trace your memory back to the time your pup left their favorite toy at your feet. Just like with us humans, sharing is a sure sign of love, so the next time your dog brings you their (drool-covered and totally well-loved) fluffy bone, give them a cuddle to say thank you!

Why do dogs stare at us?

All of this talk about puppy love might have you wondering why your pup gazes into your eyes so much, and why dogs you don’t know always seem to hold a stare in public! To find out, head to our blog where we explore why dogs stare at you.