Dogs tell us they love us in so many uniquely special ways that only they can convey. Whether it’s them going nuts every time you open the front door. Or the way they lay at your feet when you read a good book. It’s the adorable way they nudge right into you when you are lying in bed.
Dogs show us they love us, just by being themselves. By leaning on you, following you around, and giving you their complete attention. Their sweet kisses, when they nose you, paw you, bring you gifts, or let out a perfectly pleased puppy sigh.
Dogs all over the world for centuries of time have shown humans their unconditional love and friendship. So as caring humans, we want to show them that love and affection back. So as pet owners let’s look at how to tell your dog you love them.
How to Show a Dog We Care About Them
We can show our pups we love them and that we care by:
Facial Expression
A simple smile can speak volumes. Our dogs rely on our facial expressions and mannerisms as a way to communicate with us. The more you understand the way your dog communicates with you and even with other dogs, the better you will be able to communicate back to them.
Try expressing your love through your face and how you move around them. Mimicry is an interesting word that explains how dogs learn and know each other through an evolving set of mimicked movements.
This is why when you stay calm, your dog is more likely to follow suit. Or if you go into sudden action, your dog will jump up at the first sign of your alert. They are looking to you for emotional guidance, and you definitely can give that to them through expressions and movement.
Eye Contact
From the moment your eyes meet you know it’s true love. Making eye contact with your dog can be a really important way to communicate that to them. Eye contact in any language has proven to help make and strengthen a real bond. It helps develop trust in the relationship and much more easily set up a way to speak together in a language that’s more universal.
What is nice is once you establish eye contact with your dog, it becomes that much easier to talk with them and give commands. Sit. Stay. Love. And remember, by giving them your full attentiveness you are already letting them know, “Hey, I Love You So Much!”
Playtime
Dogs are our natural best buddies. They enjoy hanging out with us just as much as we love spending quality time with them. Remember, if your dog likes to go out with you to run errands and take walks, those outings together create a bonding experience with them each time.
Play with them often. Throw around a ball in the backyard. Take action photos at the local dog park. Host a dog party and invite other dog friends over, if your dog happens to enjoy the company of other pups.
You will enjoy the company too and any time spent together with fun activities and tasty treats will always be remembered. Love through actions like play, is how to tell your dog you love them!
Cuddles and Pets
There’s always time for cuddles, isn’t there? If not, try and take some time out of your day to give your dog extra pets and love. Be fully in the moment. Put your phone aside, and turn off the TV. Maybe even get on the floor for a few moments. Daily cuddles and rubs show your dog you care about their comfort and you genuinely want them to be happy.
Petting techniques such as a gentle ear rub will give your dog a sense of calm and give them a natural euphoria. There is a spot right behind the ears that alerts their nerve center and triggers impulses that release endorphin hormones throughout their bodies. These hormones can actually act as a painkiller too and leave your dog feeling relieved after.
Attention
When a dog has your full attention, they know exactly how you feel about them. Puppies love learning new things daily. You can teach them new tricks and play games to keep them from getting bored or becoming overly complacent.
In the same way, you can learn about the inherent traits that your dog has. All dogs are different and love to be treated in a way that suits them. Creating a safe space where they feel seen, and know you have their back. This will allow for a common understanding between each other and a direct way to show them your real affection.
Speak to Them in a Kind Tone
Some people talk with their dogs incessantly and some people don’t as much, and that’s okay. They may not understand your exact language but they love hearing your voice. They pick up quickly to tones and feed off sounds of adoration.
Speaking with dogs in a kind calm tone reassures them that everything is alright. You love them, and all is well. Louder raised voices and sudden noises can make dogs anxious, so it is always good to check on them in a room with higher audio volumes.
Treats and Toys
Perhaps we saved the best for last! One of the absolute best ways to show your dog your love is by giving them a quality treat every now and then. Dogs love yummy surprises, and providing them with a tasty chew or special meal will truly make their day brighter.
The look on their faces, when they realize they are getting something special, will make your day too! When it comes to food and pet edibles it is important to find something that is quality-made and will become a treat they will look forward to.
Protein treats such as chews, beef cheeks, white bones, and bully sticks are great for your dogs. Show your dog you care with a grass-fed, free-range, sustainably sourced chew by Barking Buddha Pet.
And don’t forget the cuddle session and nap afterward! And that’s how to tell your dog you love them.