How to tell if your dog really loves you

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How to tell if your dog really loves you

Your dog loves you, and not just because you’re the one who fills the food bowl every day (though that certainly doesn’t hurt). Dogs are social creatures and hard-wired to connect with humans. Over thousands of years, they’ve learned to read our emotions, respond to our cues, and form real emotional bonds. So that attachment you feel to your pup? It’s genuine—and reciprocated.

You probably already recognize the obvious signs of love: the tail wags when you walk in, the happy spins, the face licks. But there are also plenty of science-backed ways your pup shows they care. Below, Ollie breaks down the signs your dog loves you, what’s happening in their brain and body, and how everyday care—like feeding and play—helps that bond grow even stronger.

Core signs of affection

If you’ve ever wondered, “How do I know if my dog loves me?”—these behaviors are some of the clearest, science-backed signs your dog is bonded to you.

The gaze
In humans, babies bond with their parents through sustained eye contact. With dogs, it’s surprisingly similar, which gives new meaning to the idea that dogs are part of the family. If your dog holds your gaze for several seconds in a relaxed way, it’s a strong sign of trust and attachment. And that’s because of oxytocin.

Oxytocin is well-studied in humans as a hormone linked to emotional closeness. And its presence is also a key indicator of bonding in your relationship with your dog. A study from Azabu University in Japan found that when dogs and their owners engage in sustained eye contact, oxytocin levels increase in both species. In science, this is known as a positive feedback loop. And in real life, it means that every time you and your dog share a moment of eye contact, you’re building up that mutual, trusting bond.

The eyebrow lift
Puppy eyes are a real thing, and they’re more than just cute. Like humans, dogs use facial expressions to communicate and convey how they feel. One of the most telling is the eyebrow raise, which gives dogs that adorable, wide-eyed, expressive look.

Another study from Japan’s Azabu University found that dogs raised their left eyebrow significantly more when looking at their owners than when looking at strangers. Interestingly, no extra eyebrow movement was detected when dogs were shown toys. You can take that to mean what you’re hoping it means: a sign that your dog loves you even more than their favorite stuffed animal.

Physical touch
Dogs can’t hug you or hold your hand, but they have their own ways of showing affection. When your dog leans against you, rests their head on you, or chooses to lie next to you, it’s a sign of deep trust. Leaning puts dogs in a more vulnerable position physically, which means they only do it when they feel safe and secure. Sometimes, leaning can indicate your dog wants something (like food, especially around mealtime).

Contagious yawning
Yawning is famously contagious among humans, but here’s a fun fact: It can also happen with your pup, too. Research from the University of Tokyo found that dogs were more likely to yawn after seeing their owners yawn, versus after watching a stranger yawn. This suggests that dogs are emotionally attuned to the people they’re bonded with, and may even experience a form of empathy. So, catching your yawn doesn’t mean your dog is tired. It’s a subtle sign your dog loves you and, on some level, shares your emotional state.

Deep dive: bonding vs. imprinting

When people talk about dog imprinting signs or signs your dog is bonded to you, they’re usually describing the same thing: that deep emotional attachment you and your pup share. Scientifically, however, imprinting and bonding aren’t the same.

Imprinting, also called filial imprinting, happens with certain animal species where a newborn forms an attachment almost immediately after birth. Some birds, for example, imprint on the first moving figure they see, regardless of species. (That’s why you see all those cute videos online of baby ducks imprinting on humans.)

With dogs, though, it doesn’t work the same way. Instead, they form attachments gradually through a process known as bonding. Puppies are especially receptive to bonding during the socialization period between about 7 and 12 weeks of age, when they’re learning who makes them feel safe and cared for. But that window isn’t a deadline. Dogs adopted later in life, including rescue dogs, are fully capable of forming strong and secure bonds.

So while hormones like oxytocin play a role in the strength of your relationship with your pup, shared routines and everyday care are just as important. Think of it as mutual “acts of service.” On your part, that could include going on walks, plenty of playtime, and feeding them nutritious food that supports their specific health concerns. And for your dog, that can mean bringing you their favorite toy, seeking out physical closeness, sleeping near you, or wagging their tail the second you walk into the room. These aren’t just random habits. They’re signals of trust, safety, and connection—and clear signs your dog really does love you.

The mood-food connection

Science shows that a healthy dog is a happier dog. What’s in your pup’s bowl doesn’t just affect their physical health. It affects their mood and emotional well-being, too. A poor diet can lead to all sorts of issues, including sluggishness from weight gain, itching and discomfort from food sensitivities, or energy highs and crashes from imbalanced nutrients.

That’s why feeding your dog food that’s thoughtfully tailored to their individual needs matters. When your pup is getting the right nutrients and feels good in their body, they have the energy to be themselves—whether that’s playing, learning, or spending time with their favorite human (you!).

FAQs

Does my dog know when I kiss them?
Your dog probably doesn’t understand what a kiss is in the same way that humans do. But they do learn what it means. Over time, your dog associates kissing with moments of affection: your tone of voice, your attention, your gentle touch. Since kisses usually happen during positive interactions, dogs learn to interpret them as a loving gesture.

Why does my dog follow me to the bathroom?
If you feel like you have a constant shadow, you’re not alone. Many pups operate on a strict “no closed doors” policy and don’t understand the concept of privacy.

Dogs are pack animals, and staying close to the people they’re bonded with feels safe and natural. Following you from room to room—including into the bathroom—is often just another sign your dog is bonded to you. Mild separation anxiety can play a role for some dogs, but curiosity does too. Bathrooms are full of interesting smells, sounds, and sights.

Do dogs feel “guilt” or just “love”?
Dogs experience emotions, but not with the same complexity as humans. Most experts believe dogs feel emotions roughly comparable to those of a 2-year-old child.

But what about that “guilty look” you see after your dog gets into the treats? It’s likely not guilt or shame, but an expression of fear or anticipation of punishment based on past experiences. What dogs do clearly feel is affection, trust, and attachment, which is why the signs your dog loves you are consistent and easy to recognize once you know what to look for.

This story was produced by Ollie and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.