Being a dog mom isn’t just about filling food bowls and giving belly rubs – though those are pretty important too. It’s about reading the subtle signs your furry child gives you, understanding their needs before they even whine for attention, and creating a bond so strong that strangers comment on how happy your pup looks. But how do you know if you’re truly nailing this whole dog parenting thing?
Your relationship with your four-legged family member runs deeper than you might realize. From the way they seek your eyes when they’re scared to how they celebrate your return after just five minutes away, dogs have their own special language for saying “you’re the best mom ever.” Let’s explore the telltale signs that prove you’ve earned that coveted title of exceptional dog mother.
Your Dog Seeks Your Eyes for Comfort and Connection
Dogs make deep eye contact with their favorite person to show how much they care for you, and the locking eyes between you and your dog can trigger the release of oxytocin – a hormone often associated with love and bonding – in both of you. When your dog looks directly into your eyes during stressful moments or new situations, they’re essentially asking for your guidance and reassurance.
When your dog makes eye contact with you, it’s a powerful acknowledgment that they recognize you as their trusted caregiver. In the canine world, direct gaze signifies trust and a strong emotional connection, much like the bond between a parent and child. This behavior shows that your pup has learned to rely on you as their emotional anchor, demonstrating the deep trust you’ve built together.
They Follow You From Room to Room
They Follow You From Room to Room (image credits: flickr)
When your dog constantly checks on you and pops into rooms, it’s a clear indication of the strong attachment they have with you as their parental figure. This behavior stems from their instinct to seek guidance, assurance and a sense of security from their trusted caregiver. It’s not clinginess – it’s love in its purest form.
A recent viral TikTok video unveiled the four signs your dog thinks you are their mom – following its human around being one of them. Dogs raised in secure homes often model their behavior after parental roles, seeking closeness during vulnerable moments. This shadow-like behavior indicates that you’ve become their safe person, the one they turn to when the world feels uncertain or overwhelming.
Your Pup Brings You Their Most Treasured Possessions
Dogs may not bring you chocolates or roses, but they have their own way of gifting. They might bring you their favorite toy, or pick up something they find interesting, like small branches, leaves, or even a rock. This is their way of expressing gratitude, as they consider these “treasures” something to share with you.
Dogs bring their owners gifts or toys as a sign of affection and to show their love and appreciation. Dogs are social animals and have a strong pack mentality. In their minds, bringing a gift or toy to their owner is a way to share and contribute to the pack’s resources, which is an instinctual behaviour inherited from their wild ancestors. When your dog drops that slobbery tennis ball at your feet for the hundredth time today, they’re not just asking for play – they’re sharing their wealth with their beloved mom.
They Choose to Sleep Near You or Seek Your Bed
Sleep is vulnerable! If your dog chooses to sleep with you or next to your bed, this means they trust you. It is a sign of their love and affection. You’re basically a pack member. During their most defenseless moments, your dog has decided that being close to you feels safest.
Dogs typically love to sleep near their owners. During sleep, your dog is in their most vulnerable state, and sleeping beside you makes them feel safe because they know their parents won’t hurt them and will always protect them when any danger arises. This nighttime closeness represents the ultimate trust – they’re literally putting their lives in your hands while they dream.
Your Dog Looks to You for Direction in New Situations
Just like children look to their mom and dad for help or instructions on how to deal with something, dogs do the same to those they consider to be their parents. When faced with an unfamiliar person, strange noise, or new environment, a well-mothered dog will glance back at you before deciding how to react.
If they look to you for guidance, it suggests they see you as parents. If they are constantly checking to see where you are, it means they consider you a leader and rely on your direction. This behavior shows that you’ve successfully established yourself as their trusted guide through life’s uncertainties. Your calm demeanor and consistent responses have taught them that you’ll help them navigate whatever comes their way.
They Mirror Your Emotions and Energy Levels
If you’ve noticed that your dog is mirroring things you do, you should take it as a compliment because it’s a sign that they love you. When your dog mirrors your behavior, it can indicate the strong bond and attachment they feel towards you as their mom or dad. Dogs often emulate the actions of their trusted caregivers, showcasing a desire to connect and a deep level of social bonding.
Most dogs are very in tune with their owners’ emotions and will often respond if they sense something isn’t right. Our pups do seem to instinctively know when we’re feeling down or sick and need some extra love. They will find a way to cuddle up to you, rest their head on you, or generally find a way to be close to you during these times. This emotional attunement shows you’ve created such a strong connection that your dog has learned to read your moods like a book.
Your Dog Maintains Eye Contact During Vulnerable Moments
When your dog stares at you while pooping, it’s not just a random act – it’s their request asking you to stay and protect them. Like sleeping, pooping is another vulnerable moment for dogs. By locking eyes with you, they’re seeking reassurance and comfort, trusting you will watch over them.
This might seem like an odd sign of good mothering, but it’s actually one of the most profound displays of trust your dog can show. They’re essentially saying, “I’m at my most defenseless right now, but I know you’ll keep me safe.” Your consistent presence during these moments has built an unshakeable confidence in your protective abilities.
They Respond Immediately to Your Voice and Commands
If your dogs follow your instruction, it means they see you as an authority figure as canines listen to commands only from people they respect. But this isn’t about dominance – it’s about the mutual respect and communication you’ve built together through patience and consistency.
Dogs are capable of recognizing their owner’s name, and this is another sign of their love and attachment to their human companions. Dogs have the ability to learn and respond to words, and through consistent repetition, they can associate certain words, including their owner’s name, with positive experiences and rewards. When a dog hears their owner’s name, they may perk up their ears, wag their tail, or even come running to greet them. A dog who consistently responds to you has learned that good things happen when they listen to their mom.
Your Pup Shows Protective Instincts Around You
When you’re walking with your dog or hiking in the wild, you may notice your dog always runs ahead and looks around – it’s their way of scouting for danger. Your dog may stand there with ears up, looking at the surroundings, and then run back to you. This means they’ve checked, and the area is safe to go. To your dog, you are super important, and if any danger were to arise, they would instinctively place themselves between you and the threat to protect you.
This protective behavior doesn’t mean your dog is aggressive or poorly socialized. Instead, it shows they’ve bonded with you so deeply that they feel responsible for your safety. You’ve become someone worth protecting, which is one of the highest honors a dog can bestow upon their human family member.
They Celebrate Your Return No Matter How Long You’ve Been Gone
Dogs greeting their owners at the door is another sign of their love and affection. This is a classic behaviour that many dogs exhibit when their owners return home, whether they’ve been gone for a few hours or several days. A dog that greets you at the door is showing their excitement and joy at your return, and it’s a wonderful way to be welcomed home. Some dogs may even bring their favourite toy or show off their favourite trick as a way to show their love and excitement.
When your dog wags its tail upon seeing you, it can be a delightful expression of joy and recognition, revealing their strong emotional connection with you as their trusted mom or dad. Whether you’ve been gone for five minutes or five hours, that enthusiastic welcome home dance proves you’re the highlight of their day. This consistent celebration of your presence shows that you’ve made yourself irreplaceable in their world.
Your Dog Shows You Their “Puppy Side” Through Play and Silliness
Good dog mothers know how to keep the joy alive in their furry children’s lives. Canine enrichment activities, such as food-based puzzle toys, LickiMats, forging games, sensory activities and steady walks with lots of sniffing opportunities, could be the key to boosting a dog’s mood. Guide Dogs advises that age and energy level decide the amount of stimulation a dog needs, but all owners should do canine enrichment activities little and often and think about quality, not quantity.
Research shows that dogs who receive regular mental enrichment are generally happier, more confident, and less likely to develop problematic behaviors. Understanding how to properly stimulate your dog’s mind can make a significant difference in their quality of life and your relationship with them. When your dog still acts playful and silly around you, bringing out toys for impromptu games or doing their happy zoomies in your presence, it shows you’ve maintained that precious spark of joy in their lives. You haven’t just met their basic needs – you’ve nurtured their emotional well-being too.
Conclusion: The Heart of Being a Great Dog Mom
Being an exceptional dog mother isn’t about perfection – it’s about presence, understanding, and unconditional love. Every gentle eye contact, every excited greeting, and every moment your dog seeks your comfort proves that you’ve created something truly special together. You’ve built a relationship based on mutual trust, respect, and genuine affection that goes far beyond basic pet care.
Responsible Dog Ownership Day reminds us that our furry friends depend on us for their well-being and happiness. By responsibly adopting, training, and caring for dogs, we create a world where every dog can enjoy a loving home. Whether you’re already a dog parent or considering bringing a pup into your life, remember that being a responsible dog owner is a lifelong commitment that brings immeasurable joy and companionship.
The signs your dog shows you aren’t just behaviors – they’re love letters written in tail wags, sleepy sighs, and trusting gazes. You’ve earned the title of “good dog mom” through countless small moments of care, patience, and understanding. Your furry child knows they’ve hit the jackpot with you as their human. And honestly, haven’t you hit the jackpot with them too?
