11 surprising ways your domestic dog is showing that they love you, according to veterinarians

dog pet hand

Yous can typically tell whether or non a domestic dog likes you.
Shutterstock
  • Insider asked veterinarians about the surprising ways you can tell that your dog loves y'all or trusts you.
  • Guarding and herding are two subtle affectionate behaviors.
  • Dogs will oftentimes cuddle with or try to protect those they honey.
  • Visit Insider's homepage for more than stories.

Though they can't put their beloved into words, dogs have an unexpectedly large repertoire of ways to show they intendance.

From subtle body language to over-the-top displays of amore, your pooch is probably showering yous with devotion in plenty of surprising ways.

Here are some means dogs show they love or trust someone, co-ordinate to veterinarians.

A dog that loves y'all will probable recognize your proper name — and be visibly excited when they hear it.

If a domestic dog seems excited to hear your name, that could be a sign they like y'all.
Shutterstock

Information technology'south not a surprise that pets tin larn their ain names, but many dogs will as well respond to the names of their owners.

Jamie Richardson, veterinarian and medical principal of staff at Pocket-size Door Veterinarian, told Insider that dogs frequently get excited when the names of their favorite people are mentioned.

"Over time, dogs learn to recognize man names. If they hear a loved one's name mentioned who isn't present, they'll get excited at the idea that they might announced," said Richardson.

Dogs can show trust by bringing you items that need "fixing."

Information technology'southward a sign they trust y'all to solve problems.
Shutterstock

Michelle L. Szydlowski, veterinary technician and an anthrozoology instructor at Beacon Higher in Leesburg, Florida, told Insider that some dogs show trust in their owners past presenting them with "broken" objects.

"Some dogs will evidence their affection for you and faith in your intelligence by bringing you items that demand 'fixing,'" said Szydlowski.

For example, Szydlowski said that a canis familiaris may bring its owner a expressionless brute or broken toy and whine for the owner to "solve the problem."

A dog may evidence they are devoted to yous by guarding you while you lot eat.

Dogs want to brand certain they protect those they dear.
Shutterstock

Dogs often want to protect those they beloved, even if there'due south no real threat — so some dogs show they love their owners by keeping them "safe" while they swallow or relax.

"Guarding behavior is often a sign that your canis familiaris feels you belong to its pack. A guarding canis familiaris might sit adjacent to the table, facing abroad from yous while you eat or stand immediately in front end of another dog if you are sitting nearby," said Szydlowski.

Still, Szydlowski warned that almost veterinarians would discourage this type of guarding behavior, as it tin can atomic number 82 to dogs condign overly territorial or developing behavioral issues.

Some dogs show affection by herding their owners.

Some dogs are known for their herding tendencies.
Shutterstock

Szydlowski told Insider that if your dog tries to keep family members from wandering off on their ain, they could be displaying herding behavior.

"Herding is a way of showing affection for the 'pack.' For example, if someone in the family or another pet steps off the sidewalk, some dogs will herd the wayward member dorsum onto the sidewalk and safety," said Szydlowski.

Herding behavior is often more than noticeable in breeds that were originally adult to command livestock, such every bit edge collies and Australian shepherds.

Dogs will oft rub their faces on people they adore.

Your dog is potentially trying to mark you every bit theirs.
Shutterstock

Sara Ochoa, veterinarian and veterinary consultant for DogLab, told Insider that plenty of pups will show that they beloved their owner past rubbing their confront on them.

"It'south a common way to show affection. Past rubbing their confront on you lot, your dog is mark you lot as theirs," said Ochoa.

Of course, if your canis familiaris seems to be rubbing its face on everything in sight, it may be a adept idea to talk to your vet about potential pare issues, such as mites or infection.

If your dog gets agitated when you lie down, they may but exist worried well-nigh you.

If this happens often, y'all may not want to share a bed with your dog.
Shutterstock

Does your dog freak out if yous play dead or lie down to take a nap? If so, they could just exist showing how much they care about you.

"Some dogs will lick your head and face badly if they think you are unconscious or unresponsive," said Szydlowski.

As this kind of pet behavior can make information technology hard to get whatsoever rest, Szydlowski recommended keeping concerned pets out of the sleeping room while you sleep.

If your dog likes to gaze securely into your eyes, it could mean they are attached to you.

Dogs are frequently practiced at reading nonverbal cues, such as center contact.
Shutterstock

Rebecca Greenstein, veterinary and medical advisor for Rover, told Insider that prolonged eye-gazing by dogs is an attempt at bonding.

"From the fourth dimension they are puppies, dogs appear to be driven to constitute centre contact with humans, which tin can be a marker of attachment," said Greenstein.

Some dogs can limited affection through their faces.

Though dogs tin't smile quite the same way that humans tin, they however try to communicate through their faces.
penguiniz/Shutterstock

Greenstein explained that dogs really evolved special facial anatomy to make them better at communicating with their man companions.

"[Pet] dogs can raise their inner eyebrows much more dramatically than wild dogs, and this sympathetic, adorable expression is thought to induce feelings of intendance and nurturing in their human owners," said Greenstein.

Sharing toys is some other way that dogs express love.

If your dog brings you a tattered toy, it may hateful more than than you think.
Shutterstock

You lot may have no involvement in your dog's tattered lawn tennis brawl, only their willingness to share information technology with you is a sign of true affection.

"If your canis familiaris really loves you, they volition oft bring their favorite toy. This is their way of sharing their stuff with you and showing they care," said Ochoa.

If your dog tin tell when you need comfort, it could be a sign they care about you lot.

Your dog might climb onto your lap if they sense you are unhappy.
Giorgio Cosulich/Getty Images

Richardson told Insider that well-nigh dogs are very in tune with their owners' emotions and will ofttimes reply if they sense something isn't right.

"Dogs can innately sense when you are deplorable or struggling with something. They will observe a way to cuddle up to you, rest their head on y'all, or generally observe a style to exist shut to you lot during these times," said Richardson.

Deal icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.

Continue reading