You already know the slobbery kiss. You’ve felt that wet nose nudge your hand a thousand times. Those are the obvious signs, right?
Here’s the thing, though. Your dog’s been speaking an entire love language you might be missing. While face licking gets all the attention, there’s a whole world of subtle, tender, sometimes downright bizarre ways your furry friend is telling you how much you mean to them. Some of these behaviors might actually surprise you. Others might make you rethink what you thought you knew about canine affection. Let’s dive into the secret signals your dog sends every single day.
The Full Body Lean: Your Dog’s Version of a Hug
Ever felt that familiar weight pressing against your legs while you’re standing in the kitchen? That’s not clumsiness. When dogs lean their full weight against you, it signifies complete trust and is the equivalent of a full-body hug.
Leaning is one of the ways they express their feelings, indicating trust, affection, and a need for reassurance, much like how humans might reach out for a hug. Think about it. Your dog is putting themselves in a vulnerable position, entirely dependent on you for support. Dogs lean on people for comfort, security, affection, expressing trust, and bonding, and this behavior can also indicate a need for attention or reassurance, especially in new or stressful environments.
It’s hard to say for sure, but some experts believe this behavior goes beyond simple physical contact. Research has shown that physical contact can trigger the release of oxytocin, the “love hormone” in both dogs and humans, playing a crucial role in forming emotional bonds and fostering feelings of attachment. So next time your pup leans in, don’t step away. Let them have that moment.
They Bring You Their Most Prized Possessions
Different dogs have different motivations for bringing you their favorite toy, but most of the time, it’s their way of showing affection and wanting to connect, because they are excited you are home and want to play. I know it sounds crazy, but that chewed-up tennis ball or raggedy stuffed animal? That’s treasure to them.
Dogs have different ways of expressing their love, and for some, bringing a toy is a heartfelt gesture, sharing something they enjoy or find valuable, which is particularly meaningful when a dog brings a favorite or well-worn toy. You matter enough to them that they want to share what makes them happiest.
One reason that your dog may bring you their favorite toys is that they love you and see you as part of their pack, as it’s a way of sharing and bonding with you. Sometimes they’ll even pile toys on you when you’re sick. If you’ve ever had your dog pile their toys on you when you’re sick or feeling sad, it’s your dog’s way of trying to make you feel better, picking up on your emotions and knowing that something’s not right, hoping their toys will help you too.
The Sleeping Position Says Everything
Where your dog sleeps tells you volumes about how they feel about you. Sleep is a vulnerable time for any animal, but your dog doesn’t feel that way when curled up next to you, as studies indicate that dogs who have a secure relationship with their humans sleep better when they’re close.
The cuddler sleeping position is a sign of affection and bonding, suggesting that your dog wants to get closer to a person or another dog and is comfortable around them. Even more telling? If your dog sleeps with their back facing you, it means they are showing trust and affection, and you are the most trusted person for them.
Let’s be real, that back-to-back position might not seem as cuddly as being face-to-face, but it’s actually one of the highest compliments your dog can give you. They’re protecting you while feeling safe enough to let their guard down. That’s love.
Soft Eye Contact and the “Eyebrow Raise”
When you lock eyes with your dog to share a soft, loving look, the sentimental moment isn’t your imagination, as studies show that domesticated dogs have learned to use eye contact differently than their wild ancestors. Honestly, this one gets me every time.
According to a study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, dogs have evolved a special eye muscle to better communicate with humans, enabling them to move their eyebrows and make that sad, sweet puppy dog face. The eyebrow raise can also be an expression of love, as when dogs raise their inner eyebrows, their eyes appear larger and more puppy-like, and scientists believe this expression is a deliberate attempt to trigger a nurturing response in humans.
Still, it’s crucial to understand the difference between a hard stare and soft eye contact. The latter is pure affection. You’ll know it when you see it.
Following You Everywhere (Yes, Even the Bathroom)
Following you around like a puppy dog is a sign that your dog loves you, as dogs are pack animals and you’re a favorite pack member, and knowing they feel safest by your side is nice. Though some might call it clingy, I think it’s endearing.
If your dog follows you everywhere, kitchen, bathroom, hallway, they’re saying “you’re my safe place,” and shadowing is a sign of trust and attachment, not clinginess, as many dogs simply feel happiest being wherever their person is. Your presence is their comfort zone. Their happy place.
Of course, if the shadowing becomes excessive to the point of anxiety, that’s something to address. Yet for most dogs, trailing behind you from room to room is simply their way of saying they choose you, again and again. What do you think about it? Pretty sweet, right?
The Joyful Wiggle and Full-Body Wag
A full-body wiggle is a telltale sign your pup is head-over-heels in love, as unlike a tense or stiff posture that might indicate fear, a happy, lovestruck pup is loose and wiggly and simply can’t contain their excitement. You’ve seen it. That helicopter tail. The wiggle that starts at the nose and works its way all the way to the tip of the tail.
A loose, full-body, side-to-side wag usually means your pup is relaxed, excited, and thrilled to see you. However, not all wags mean happiness. Context matters. A stiff, high wag can signal something entirely different. Soft eyes, relaxed face, and wiggly body probably means happy, while tense posture, stiff tail, and tight mouth probably means uncomfortable.
They Check In on You Constantly
Regardless of the specific scenario, the likelihood is that your dog will come and check in with you at least once while you spend time apart, and this behavior is meant to show you how much your dog loves and cares for you. Maybe you’re working in your home office, and every so often, a furry head pokes through the door.
Your dog may check in on you because they recognise you as the leader of their pack, and knowing where you are and that you’re okay is comforting, or they may have been missing you while in a different room and want to be back in your presence due to their undying love for you. It’s their version of sending you a text to say, “Hey, you good?”
These check-ins aren’t demanding. They’re gentle. A quick glance, a sniff, maybe a tail wag, and then they’re off again. But that moment? That’s pure devotion. Did you expect that?
Your dog doesn’t speak your language, but they’re fluent in love. From the lean against your leg to the toy dropped at your feet, every gesture is a declaration. These behaviors aren’t just cute quirks. They’re carefully crafted messages designed to tell you one thing: you are their everything. So the next time your dog does something that seems a little odd or wonderfully weird, pause for a second. They might just be saying “I love you” in their own beautiful way. What’s the sweetest thing your dog does to show you affection? Tell us in the comments.
Gargi from India has a Masters in History, and a Bachelor of Education. An animal lover, she is keen on crafting stories and creating content while pursuing a career in education.
