Love is one of those strange things that you recognise when you see it but can’t really put your finger on describing exactly what it is… It’s just a ‘feeling’. A feeling of belonging, of security, of the world being a better place when you are with your beloved, and of knowing in your heart by how the other treats you, looks at you and acts around you that you are loved.
How do you know?
When we ask “does my dog love me?” it is exactly the same. You just know.
You know in the way they greet you when you’ve been away (even if only to the toilet!), in the way they look at you, in the way they check in with you to make sure you are still there or to see how to behave, in the way they want to be with you and close to you.
More than that, you see it in their body language when they are around you.
Love is pretty easy to spot in most dogs because almost every part of your dog’s body language expresses how they are feeling! Their eyes are soft and gentle when they look at you, and almost seem to be in soft focus with none (or very little) of the whites of the eyes showing (and they may even close slightly in pleasure). Their forehead and eyebrows are relaxed, and their ears are either floppy or else moving forward and back also in a gentle relaxed way.
While dogs don’t (generally!) smile like we do, a dog around the person they love will have loose lips, no tension around his mouth (especially at the corners) and their mouth will most likely be closed.
When it comes to their body, they are moving fluidly and with a bit of a swing to them. Again, there is no stiffness anywhere in their back or legs, just a bit of a joyful bounce! Or maybe a lot of excited Tigger-type bouncing…! Or maybe a relaxed sprawling out, secure in your company. It depends on your dog and how they show their love.
When we are around those we love, the world seems safe and a better place, and our dogs feel the same when they are with us – and it shows in relaxed body language that radiates contentment.
Some need to be close to you, even on you… Some solicit affection. Others love from afar – just as strongly, but without the need to be touching you all the time.
And as for the tail… When a dog is with someone they love, their tail is usually at mid height and is either swinging about in rhythm with the movements of their body, or it’s being deliberately wagged from side to side (and of course some dogs wag so hard the entire dog wags too!). Even when a dog is wagging ecstatically though, the tail is still relaxed and not stiff.
Once you have really looked at the body language of a loving dog, you will always be able to recognise it. Even if the dog is bouncing around or contentedly sleeping beside you, the key words are fluid and relaxed… Relaxed eyes, relaxed ears, relaxed mouth, relaxed body, relaxed wag!
Need some help?
If you are worried that your dog doesn’t love you, talk to a behaviourist. Often it takes very little to change indifference or insecurity into love – and love is always worth working for. For most of us though, we can rely on our dogs when we want unconditional love and devotion. It is then up to us to be worthy of it.
I’ve always held that, if possible, everyone should own at least one dog in their lifetime. It is an incredibly beautiful, and life changing experience. They are such amazing, sensitive, caring, and loving animals.
I had a beautiful black lab, she was very affectionate and definitely loved me. My new retired greyhound is less so. Not really sure if she loves me, I guess she sort of likes me because I feed and walk her but other than standing next to me on occasions and leaning against my legs sometimes, she doesn’t show much affection in comparison
When a greyhound leans against you, that’s their way of hugging you and is a sign of affection.
Biscuit loves the wet food but not biscuits
Hi Pam, we’re sorry to hear that Biscuit isn’t enjoying their kibbles at the moment. As our dry food is our main product and the tailor-made part of your dog’s diet, we’d love to find a blend that Biscuit will love – just pop our Customer team an email at hello@tails.com with your details and they can help. In the meantime, if you do need a wet food-only order you can order this direct from our Shop here: https://shop.tails.com/ 🐾
I had an issue where my German shepherd wasn’t really liking his dry food but a quick discussion with tails and they changed flavour and now we often have the opposite
Ah, that’s so great to hear Darrell!
Agree. I’ve been blessed to own lots of dogs in my lifetime and I never tire of seeing their unconditional love and devotion. They are our best friends and our greatest supporters. They give everything they know and have to us and in exchange they only ask for love in return. Dogs are very intelligent creatures and the greatest companions!
I suffer from health issues and arlo is what keeps me going the love and support he gives me is so special he seems to know when I’m low and gives me lots of cuddles and he’s always there when I need him
Hi my Jack Russell Reggie is the same they just no you’re not feeling right he’s my gift from god he’s my little angel he came in to my life when my mother died and we been best friends ever since I love him so much it brings a tear to my eyes when I think about him he just makes me so happy all the time every day he makes me laugh
Our Farley has many ways of showing us that he loves us. With my husband he stays by him almost as though he wants to help or keep him safe while he is gardening. Of course the usual lovely tail wagging to say glad you are back or awake and with me he will snuggle up to my feet when I am seared, lick me and always his eyes say it all ‘ I so love you both’
Biscuit gives me a big sloppy kiss and then lies on her back for a tickle belly.
They are better than most people there love for you is second to none
Dudley shows loads of affection always happy always buoyant and bouncy ,first thing in the morning he greets me then especially when I return from work he goes over & beyond with his enthusiasm to be back together he even tries his best to tell me with excited voice and body language, constantly wagging tail & body and howling he simply gets beside himself with excitement
Teddy is my best friend, most times my only one. Because I’m not very mobile and we live in a small flat we are together a lot. His cuddles and tail wags keep me going.
My little dog called Sasha absolutely adores me and I love her too bits.
She is very affectionate and sits in my lap, feet .
Follows me every where. She is extremely affectionate and loving.
Wouldn’t be without her!
Unconditional love ❤️
I lost my beautiful cat Hetty on 28/12/22 followed by my gorgeous Macedonian rescue dog on 25/3/23 I was beside myself and never thought I could bring myself to have another pet. It was far too painful. On 21/6/23 all that changed when i went to see a stunning 2 year old German Shepherd who was being sold on for genuine reasons. He was lovely with the local children who came to hug him and it showed his nature which was calm despite his size. When I left he jumped straight into my car as if he’d been attached to me all his life. He has unusual colouring for a GSD and this is similar to what Hetty’s fur was like, Elli was part GSD and there’s so much of each of them and their nature’s in him that although i know it’s not possible, I like to think that he was chosen by Het’s and Elli and sent to me at the right time to heal my grief. The sign was a bit of each of them in him. Wouldn’t it be fabulous if that wasn’t just my vivid imagination? ❣️
I have two shi tzhu one follows me everywhere around the house, the little boy likes to think he,s a toughie, is naughty sometimes, when I tell him off he cries. When I come home I get a great welcome, and rummages in his toy box to give me a present
I know my dog loves me. She sits as close as she can, or on me. At bedtime she curls up round my tummy . She likes to get under the sheets, but don’t let her. I am of away for 5 weeks soon, I will miss her so much, but she will be with my friends and happy to.
Dogs are great companions will never be without one.
My diesel has been with me for 14 yrs and we’ve never had a crossed word with each other. He’s as mad as a March hare when I go out n return home. Been there for marriages, deaths, births and depression. I regard him as my best and only true friend. Love is just a word but I think my boy invented that word.
Brontë shows her love for me constantly. She is always close to me, she follows me everywhere. She cuddles up close and often licks my feet, actually she sucks them, like she did her soft toy when a puppy. She’s nearly 9 now. She sleeps on her rug on my bed and likes to lay with her back against mine. Pure unconditional love which I return to her. I could never be without a dog in my life, they are so loyal and loving. ❤️
I’ve always had dogs after my labrador passed away I was heartbroken couldn’t face replacing her but further down the line I decided it’s time to give unconditional love to another so along came Daisy a Cockapoo crazy wasn’t in it but I absolutely adore her she sleeps by my side she is my shadow evey where I go now iv been given a terminal illness I no she knows it’s in the way she is with me even more so I love her so much I worry how she Will cope without me being their it’s like she can Smell my I’ll ness so constantly stays by my side which I love she has only just gone 4 still a baby
So sorry to hear this… two of my friends have husbands who are terminally ill. It’s a very difficult thing to face and I can imagine one of your biggest fears is how Daisy will cope.
It’s not for me to tell you what to do, but it might help you to feel better if you can speak to someone at an organisation like Dogs Trust or the pet fostering service. I’m just thinking that if you could see someone getting to know her and see Daisy getting used to them, it would reassure you? As your illness progresses, if you are less able to take her out, you might need assistance with that anyway. Do you know anyone you would trust to love and care for her? Once again, I am so sorry you are having to face this, but glad that Daisy is such a faithful companion.
Our German shepherd used to lose interest in food after a few days, I can honestly say-she readily awaits and eats her every single day since changing to Tails. One happy dog-thank you
This is so lovely to hear, Gaynor – give her a big fuss from us 💙