Why Do Dogs Love You?
Why Do Dogs Love You?
There's something incredibly special about the bond that forms between us and our pups. Some people even believe that their dogs love them, but is it true?
The good news is that dogs are able to communicate with us in many different ways. They have a lot of cues that tell them how we feel, and they use those cues to show their affection.
1. They Gaze Into Your Eyes
When people look into each other’s eyes, bursts of the hormone oxytocin are released into their bloodstream. It’s believed to foster intimacy, bonding and even maternal behavior.
A 2015 study by animal behaviorist Takefumi Kikusui from Azaba University in Japan found that dogs use eye contact to form social bonds with humans, and a person staring into their dog’s eyes triggers oxytocin levels in both animals. It’s called the “oxytocin-gaze positive loop,” and it’s similar to the way moms and newborn babies form bonds.
But why does your dog stare into your eyes when you stare at them? The answer is simple: They love you.
2. They Lean Against You
Leaning against you is one of the more common ways your dog shows affection and love. It is usually done with full weight and often feels like a hug.
They lean on you because they feel safe and secure around you. They know you are their pack leader and that you protect them from threats.
This is why they are so devoted to you and so protective of their human family.
It is also the reason they lean on you if they have any discomfort. This is because they feel you are the only one who can help them if they have any health issues.
They may be scared or feeling vulnerable and trying to get you to notice them.
They might be asking you for attention or even telling others that they belong to you. These are very positive reasons to lean on you and are the most natural and loving way of letting you know they feel loved.
3. They Sleep With You
Dogs are pack animals, and they instinctively want to be close to those who are their family. This includes the humans they love, and sleeping near them is one way that they demonstrate their loyalty and affection for them.
They might sleep on their sides to keep warm, or they may lean against you for comfort. Either way, your dog is trying to show you that they trust you and feel safe with you.
Your dog might also sleep with their butts facing you, which is a cuddling position that they enjoy. This is because they like being close to you, and cuddling means they can be face-to-face with you.
It also shows that you are a trusted and loyal companion. They know that you are there for them, and that you’ll be there to protect them if they need you. This also helps them to sleep better, because it is a sense of safety.
4. They Smile
Many of us get a smile on our face whenever we see a dog smile. We think it's the cutest thing, and we love to take pictures of it because of the adorable grin on their face!
While dogs do have a "smile" and they can show it in different ways, most animal behavior experts agree that a dog's grin isn't a true smile.
A dog's smiling behavior is a form of active submission, says Lore Haug, a veterinarian behavior specialist in Madison, Wisconsin. This is a natural, hardwired behavior that evolved in wild and ancient ancestors to signal safety, appeasement and pacification.
To make this submissive grin, the dog will pull one or both of their lips back and may display all or part of their teeth. This smile is often accompanied by other submissive behaviors, like flattened ears, a low hanging tail and an overall relaxed body posture.
