9 Ways of Showing Your Dogs That You Love Them

You love your dog, and you're not afraid to show it. But all the toys, comfy beds, treats, and fancy collars can't let your pet know just how special they are to you. I'll show you nine ways to tell your dog you love them in a language that they're sure to understand. 

Number one: Put down your phone when you walk into the house. 

Your dog needs some face-to-face interaction with you when you come home. This is because they don't know what a cell phone is, but they do know that they don't want to compete with it. That's why the first way to tell your dog you love them is to give them your full attention when you walk in the door. Often when we are with our dogs, we are staring at our phones at the same time. Whether you're on a walk around the block or snuggling on the couch, it's best to give 100% of your attention to your pet when you are with them.

Number two: Respect your dog's nature.

Many dog owners are confused about caring for their dogs, treating them like babies. It's important to remember that dogs are dogs, and we need to respect their particular needs. Many dog owners discourage their dogs from certain inherent behaviors, such as eating dirt, sniffing urine, and sniffing each other from behind. In these situations, we are not caring for our furry friends but preventing them from their nature. This can cause anxiety and confusion. It is vital that you love your dog for who they are. 

Number three: Rub their ears.

Dog experts say that the ears of a dog are one of three nerve centers in their bodies. When you rub a dog behind the ears, a sense of pleasure goes through its entire body. This is highly relaxing. Just like when you rub their belly, another part of your dog has extremely sensitive nerve endings. That's why when you rub the ears of your dog or rub their belly, they close their eyes and drift off into doggy heaven. The other nerve center for a dog's pleasure is between its toes. 

Number four: Lean in when you talk to them but don't smother them with affection. 

The best way to tell your dog you love them is to lean into them and then let them lean into you. Even though it's tempting, full-body hugs aren't good for dogs. A hug is usually threatening or unwelcome to them, especially if they feel trapped. Leaning into a dog and then letting them lean into you is a much better way to bond. Displays of affection like this are often overlooked and confused with other behaviors. So don't ignore their hugs. Lean back on them for a moment and let them know you love them too. Don't push them away or crush them. Just the right amount of lean will demonstrate that you trust them. 

Number five: Look into their eyes. 

According to researchers at Duke University, you should make eye contact with your dog when you're cuddling with them. Studies have shown that making eye contact while cuddling with your dog releases a hormone known as oxytocin. Oxytocin, also known as the love hormone, literally bonds you with your dogs like a mother and baby. So the next time you and your dog are snuggling, look them right in the eye. They will bond with you like you never thought possible. 

Number six: Prepare their favorite food.

Feeding and love go together perfectly when it comes to showing your dog you love them. So it should be no surprise that if you make a special dish for your dog, they will love you for it. And this doesn't mean feeding them table scraps, which can eventually harm your dog's health, or feeding them too many treats, which can also make them overweight. 

Number seven: Raise your eyebrows when you see your dog.

This is another way to show your dog you love them. It comes from Japanese behavioral scientists. They explained in their research that when a dog raises their eyebrows and sticks out their tongue, they are relaxed and happy. Believe it or not, your dog expects the same from you. Scientific studies have shown that dogs can differentiate between human emotions from facial expressions. You can try to hide your feelings, but your dog can read your feelings from what's written on your face. So greeting your dog at the door with raised eyebrows and a relaxed smile shows your canine how happy you are to see them. 

Number eight: Talk to your dog using your dog's voice. 

A study published in the Journal of Science found that dogs understand a little bit more about human speech than we think. When scientists study dogs using an MRI scanner, they found something interesting that dogs recognized not only words of praise but also a praising voice. So dogs will not only listen to the tone of your voice but the words of praise at the same time. They're a little bit more perceptive than you think. So your tone of voice and choice of words is another one of the nine ways you can tell your dog you love them. 

Number nine: Let your dogs snuggle with you when you get the chance. 

Snuggling is fantastic for dogs but never go in for the big hug because they think you might attack them, but they do like to cuddle. So whether you let them on the couch or into your bed, they would like to lie with you and relax. But close contact brings it to close with you and lets you show them that you love them. And if you don't want your dog on your bed or your couch. It's OK. Bench watch some TV from your bean bed chair. They will probably put their paw on you with appreciation until they sleep soundly and contently because you thought them down to their level and show them you love them.