14 Signs Your Dog Loves You - Pawfect Dog Tips

Have you ever wondered if your dog loves you or if they’re just tolerating you for treats?

While our four-legged friends might not be able to say ‘I love you,’ they have plenty of other ways to show their affection—their love language is just a little different from ours.

Some of these signs may not be super obvious, but if you pay attention to their behavior, you can pick up clues about how your pup feels about you.

In this post, we’ll break down the different ways to tell if a dog loves you, from tail wags to face licks and everything in between.

Signs Your Dog Loves You: 14 Things to Look For

1. They Follow You Everywhere

If your dog follows you everywhere, they likely see you as their pack leader, which is a huge compliment.

This means they trust and love you and view you as a source of comfort, all of which wouldn’t be possible without a strong bond.

For example, they might follow you from room to room. It doesn’t matter if they were sleeping or lying down comfortably before—the moment they see you walk out the door, they’ll be right behind you.

They just don’t want to be away from their favorite human.

2. They Wag Their Tail When They See You

Tail wagging is one of the main ways dogs express their emotions; it’s similar to how we use facial expressions to convey our feelings.

If they’re excited to see someone they love, they’ll naturally wag their tail – they might even wiggle their butt.

In addition to tail wags, they might jump up excitedly or bounce around. Their ears and eyes will probably be relaxed too.

For example, many dogs will show these signs when their owner comes home from work—they just can’t stop the excitement from bubbling out from within them.

3. They Look Into Your Eyes

Dogs will inevitably look at their owners, but if they gaze at you with soft eyes and a relaxed face, chances are it’s out of affection.

For example, your dog might stare into your eyes when you’re cuddling with him on the couch.

If your pup has light-colored eyes, you might even be able to see their pupils dilate—it’s a sign that they’re feeling calm, happy, and comfortable.”

Direct eye contact also triggers the release of oxytocin, a hormone associated with trust, joy, and affection.

4. They Bring You Their Favorite Toys

For most dogs, their toys are their most prized possessions. If they bring them to you, it can only mean one thing—they love you and want to share their favorite things with you, and for them to do that, they would have to trust you completely.

Nine times out of ten, it’s also an invitation to play. They’re giving you their favorite toy because they want to spend quality time with you—and that wouldn’t make sense unless they loved you in the first place.

5. They Sleep Near You

Dogs are pack animals and it’s their natural instinct to sleep with their group for warmth and protection.

What does it mean when your dog sleeps on you? It means they see you as part of their pack—maybe even their leader—and want to stay close.

Your presence makes them feel safe and puts them at ease when they’re most vulnerable. You’ll know that’s the case if your dog wags their tail in their sleep.

It’s a clear sign they trust you and feel an emotional connection with you.

6. They Give You ‘Kisses’

For dogs, licking is a way for them to express affection. It’s similar to how we hug or kiss our loved ones.

When they lick you, they are reinforcing their emotional connection with you. It’s their way of saying ‘I love you and want to be close to you’.

They may also give you a ‘kiss’ if they sense you’re sad or stressed. Licking is a soothing behavior for them and they may also do it to comfort those they love.

They want to make you feel better because you’re important to them.

7. They’re Excited to Hear Your Voice

Dogs have an extraordinary sense of hearing and can recognize their owners’ voices.

If your dog wags their tail and perks up every time they hear your voice, it’s a clear sign they care about you.

For example, they might run to the front door when they hear your voice from outside.

They associate your voice with comfort, happiness, and other positive things—and they can’t wait to be near you.

8. They Lean Against You

What does it mean when a dog leans on you? It means they love and trust you. For them, it’s a physical expression of affection that makes them feel safe.

For example, they might sit between your legs or place a paw on your feet while leaning against you. Others might take the opportunity to gaze lovingly into your eyes.

While some dogs lean purely for physical closeness, others may do it to ask for attention in the form of pets or cuddles.

It’s their way of initiating a bonding moment.

9. They Ask For Belly Rubs

Most dogs like belly rubs, but unless you have a super friendly pup, they probably won’t roll over for just anyone—their tummy is the most vulnerable part of their body, after all.

If they’re willing to expose it to you, it means they trust that you won’t hurt them. For them to feel that way, there usually has to be a strong underlying bond.

Some dogs might even fall asleep while getting their bellies rubbed, which wouldn’t be possible unless they felt completely comfortable in your presence.

10. They Check On You Throughout the Day

A dog that’s deeply bonded to you may check on you throughout the day.

For example, they might come up to you every now and then, make brief eye contact, and go back to what they were doing. It’s their way of making sure you’re okay, even if they were playing or resting before.

Other dogs may check in by giving you a gentle nudge with their paw, especially if they sense something is off.

Checking in can also be a way for them to ask for attention. For example, some dogs may poke your hand with their nose if they want to cuddle or play.

11. They Steal Your Clothes

Your clothes carry your scent, and for your dog, that’s incredibly comforting. It makes them feel safe, especially when you’re not home.

For example, it’s not uncommon for dogs to steal their owner’s socks or underwear—not just clean ones, but also those that have been sitting around in the laundry basket. Some dogs will even lie directly on the pile.

To them, they aren’t just articles of clothing; they’re reminders of you, and carrying them around (or lying on them) is their way of maintaining that connection.

12. They Like Spending Time With You

Dogs are just like humans in that they enjoy companionship—and who better to spend time with than their favorite person?

Take walks, for example, one of the reasons they enjoy it so much is because they get to do it with you (though being able to sniff the grass doesn’t hurt either).

Being near you not only makes them happy, but it also gives them a sense of security.

13. They Give You Their Paw

Some dogs will offer you their paw as a sign of affection. It’s their way of showing that they care about you. For example, they might place their paw on you while you’re sitting on the sofa or lying in bed.

Since paws are a sensitive part of a dog’s body, most pups will only offer them to those they completely trust.

Some dogs may also give you their paw to comfort and reassure you when you’re feeling stressed or sad.

14. They Mimic Your Behavior

Dogs often mimic the behavior of those closest to them. For example, they might yawn when you yawn or stretch when you stretch.

This means they see you as part of their pack and want to stay connected with you. It’s their way of showing they’re in tune with you and this will only strengthen the bond over time.

It’s a sign of trust, love, and a strong emotional relationship.

Does My Dog Know I Love Him?

Dogs might not understand the word ‘love’ the way we do, but they can definitely sense how you feel about them.

They’re highly perceptive animals and can recognize your love through your actions, tone of voice, and body language. Some would even argue that they’re more perceptive than humans.

They also have excellent memories when it comes to remembering the people they love. If you’ve always played with them and been affectionate toward them, they will associate you with love and happiness.

How to Tell My Dog I Love Him

Play Their Favorite Games Together

Engaging in your dog’s favorite activity, whether it’s hide-and-seek or fetch, is a great way to show your affection.

It’ll strengthen the bond between you and your pup and let them know they’re loved, valued, and cared for.

If you have a puppy, it’ll also help them build confidence—both in their surroundings and with you.

Talk to Them a Gentle Tone

Dogs are incredibly attuned to our tones and actions. They may not understand the words you’re saying but they’ll know how you feel about them by the tone of your voice.

Speaking to them in a gentle tone will help them feel safe and secure. This is especially true for rescue and senior dogs as they tend to be more sensitive.

Spend Quality Time Together

Spending time with your pup – whether it’s going for a walk or sitting together on the couch – is one of the best ways to strengthen your relationship.