You know that moment when your dog looks at you with those soulful eyes and you just melt? There’s something magical happening in that exchange, something deeper than a simple pet-owner interaction. Trust isn’t just given freely in the canine world. It’s earned through countless small moments, gentle gestures, and consistent care that speaks to your dog’s very core.
Understanding how dogs express their trust can transform your relationship. These aren’t just cute behaviors or random quirks. They’re profound communications from a species that has evolved alongside humans for thousands of years, developing intricate ways to tell us when they feel safe, loved, and completely secure in our presence.
They Show You Their Belly
When your dog willingly shows their belly or sleeps in vulnerable positions near you, they’re demonstrating they feel entirely safe in your presence. This behavior is significant because an attack on the underbelly can be fatal in the wild.
The belly is one of a dog’s most unprotected areas, so this behavior is a clear sign they feel safe in your presence and will not expose their undersides to just anyone; it’s a gesture reserved for those they trust deeply. This vulnerable position requires complete faith that you won’t harm them when they’re at their most defenseless.
They Make Sustained Eye Contact
Dogs’ stares are a sign of affection and trust, indicating that they are paying attention to you and looking for advice and comfort. Research from Japanese scientists has revealed that sustained eye contact between dogs and their trusted humans triggers the release of oxytocin in both parties.
Many scientific studies have found that one way this oxytocin (the ‘love hormone’) is released in dogs is through deep and meaningful eye contact. This creates a beautiful feedback loop of bonding that strengthens your relationship with every gentle gaze.
They Sleep Close to You
Another vulnerable time for a dog is when they are asleep, and historically, wolves and dogs used to sleep close together with other pack members to ensure trust and protection, so if your dog enjoys sleeping in your bed or likes to snuggle up to you for a nap, they feel trust in you that they will be safe.
Dogs sleep in a place that they are comfortable, so sleeping in an owner’s room could certainly be an indication of comfort. Whether they choose your bed or simply your bedroom floor, their presence signals deep trust in your ability to keep them safe during their most vulnerable hours.
They Turn to You During Stressful Moments
In new or potentially stressful situations, a trusting dog will look to their owner for cues about how to react, and this “social referencing” behavior shows they value your judgment and rely on you for safety signals. When your dog is afraid, caught by surprise or unsure, if they look to you for guidance, this is a sign that you’re a safe person that your dog trusts to look after them.
The best way to know if your dog feels safe and comfortable around you is if they rely on you to provide safety and comfort, and when startled or upset, if they look to you and move toward you rather than retreat and seek distance. This behavior demonstrates their absolute confidence in your ability to handle whatever situation arises.
They Follow You Around
If you’re the person your dog chooses to be around, that’s a pretty strong sign that they trust you and enjoy being with you, and even if your recall isn’t perfect, if your dog chooses to check in with you and orients towards you even in the presence of others, they trust you.
If your dog naturally stays close to you on a walk, even when off the leash, this suggests they consider you their safe point in the world and choose to remain near you out of trust and affection. They’re choosing your company over all the exciting distractions the world has to offer.
They Bring You Their Favorite Things
When your dog brings you their favorite toys or special items, they’re demonstrating both trust and a desire to share experiences with you, and this behavior mirrors social bonding practices observed in wild canid populations. When your dog brings you their cherished item, like a favourite toy, they’re demonstrating that they value your presence and want to share something special.
It may seem like weird canine behavior when your pup takes your scarf or favorite pair of shoes, but it’s one of the clear signs your dog trusts you, as your pooch could be comforted by having that connection to you, especially while you’re away. They’re essentially saying you’re part of their inner circle.
They Display Relaxed Body Language
Your trusting dog will present with body language that shows their comfort level with you, including a relaxed face, soft eyes, and a wag that wiggles the entire hind end. A relaxed posture, open mouth, and wagging tail in your presence are all indicators of trust, showing your dog is at ease around you, fully confident in your care and companionship.
Dogs respond strongly to stress, but when they fully relax around you – stretching out, letting their limbs dangle, or exposing their belly – it’s a sign they trust you completely. Their entire being communicates peace when you’re near.
Start with Consistency and Routine
Being consistent promotes predictability, which fosters trust, and maintaining a consistent routine with things like feeding schedule, walk times, and play sessions allows your dog to have the same expectations throughout their day, building their confidence. Dogs love routine, and feeding them at the same time, walking them regularly, and keeping a consistent schedule helps instil a sense of stability and trust.
Dogs thrive on knowing what comes next. When meal times are predictable and walks happen regularly, your dog learns they can count on you. This reliability forms the foundation of trust, showing them you’re someone who keeps promises and meets their needs dependably.
Use Positive Reinforcement Training
Begin rewards-based training by starting with something simple, like asking your dog to sit, and then reward with lavish verbal praise and a favorite food treat, doing this several times a day. Positive reinforcement builds trust, while using fear, pain or intimidation destroys trust, so if you want to encourage positive behaviour and grow trust between you and your dog – choose kindness.
Modern training methods are based on setting the dog up for success and showing him exactly how to behave, instead of endlessly correcting bad behavior, so your dog learns that you are a trustworthy person who’s worth listening to. Every positive training session deposits trust into your relationship bank account.
Learn and Respect Their Body Language
Learning to read your dog’s body language and not overwhelming them with physical touch if they don’t want it helps build trust as you show your dog that you “listen” to their body language. Understanding your dog and the very subtle nuances of dog body language makes a BIG difference, and when you can see the signs your dog is becoming uncomfortable, scared or unhappy, you can act quickly to advocate for them.
Observe your dog as you touch them and try using the “consent test” by counting to three while petting them, then stopping to see if they lean in for more petting, and if they choose to move away, growl, or show signs of discomfort, let them end the interaction with verbal praise. This respectful approach shows them you’re listening to their communication.
Give Them Space and Choice
When it comes to your interactions together, let the dog be the one who approaches you, who looks for affection, and who initiates the play time, as it takes time to build trust with a new pooch. If you’re just starting to build trust, don’t engage your dog directly but sit in the room without looking at them or interacting, and let them come to you.
Give your furry friend a designated quiet space where they can retreat, especially during overwhelming situations, as dogs feel safer when they know there’s a secure zone for them. Forcing interactions often backfires, while patient space-giving demonstrates respect for their boundaries.
Meet Their Basic Needs Reliably
Meeting your dog’s wants and needs is important if you want them to trust you, as you want your dog to know that you can provide for them and that their needs, such as food, security, and exercise will be met, so your dog will be able to rely on you. Building trust is all about making your dog feel safe, and trust provides a dog with a level of certainty that interacting with you will result in something good happening.
Trust takes time and effort, and offering your pup things she enjoys, like food, dog treats, toys and walks, is another way to develop a stronger bond. Being their reliable provider of life’s essentials builds unshakeable trust over time.
Spend Quality Time Together
Spend some time with Fido when you aren’t worrying about teaching him something and play with your dog, as “play training” builds focus and enthusiasm and is the best way to build a strong relationship. Having fun with your dog by engaging in activities like dog sports or teaching them tricks and doing fun things with them will strengthen your bond.
Whether you’re reading, working, or watching TV, your silent presence in the same room matters, as simply being there provides comfort and strengthens your bond. Quality time isn’t always about active engagement; sometimes just sharing space creates trust.
Stay Calm and Patient
Repetition, calmness and patience are key to getting a dog to trust you. Never bully, hit, kick, yell at or be aggressive towards your dog in any way, and even though it’s easy to get frustrated sometimes, it’s essential to stay calm and positive, taking a deep breath or stepping away from the situation if needed.
Positive reinforcement is so important with fearful dogs, and instead of scolding when they do something wrong, reward them instead for performing the behaviors you want. Your emotional stability becomes their safe harbor in an unpredictable world.
Conclusion
Trust between you and your dog isn’t built overnight, but rather through thousands of small moments that accumulate into an unbreakeable bond. Every gentle touch, every respected boundary, every consistent meal time, and every patient response to their fears deposits love into your shared trust account.
Recognizing and appreciating these behaviors can deepen the bond between you and your dog, reinforcing a relationship built on mutual trust and understanding, as trust is the foundation of a healthy, happy relationship with your canine companion. When you understand both how your dog shows trust and how to earn it, you create something truly beautiful: a partnership built on mutual respect, understanding, and unconditional love.
What small gesture will you try today to deepen the trust with your furry best friend?
Andrew Alpin from India is the Brand Manager of Doggo digest. Andrew is an experienced content specialist and social media manager with a passion for writing. His forte includes health and wellness, Travel, Animals, and Nature. A nature nomad, Andrew is obsessed with mountains and loves high-altitude trekking. He has been on several Himalayan treks in India including the Everest Base Camp in Nepal.
