Article & Images Submitted by Shannon MacBeth, Contributing Author &
Shakespeare's Legacy Labradors
www.facebook.com/shakespeareslegacylabradors
"Empowering puppies to be all they can be with and for their forever families."
Shakespeare's Legacy Labradors
www.facebook.com/shakespeareslegacylabradors
"Empowering puppies to be all they can be with and for their forever families."
I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they are the role models for unconditional love. ~Gilda Radner
Have you ever been met at the door by a dog with a tail wagging so hard their wiggle begins at their rib cage and their tail is drumming a beat on your legs? What about that dog that wants to be as close as possible at all times never giving you a moment of privacy? Better yet, the one that returns the toy to be tossed again and again and again just to engage with you? Or the dog that nudges you until you stop what you’re doing and give them your undivided attention? Finally, the puppy that lays at your feet and gazes affectionately in your direction, waiting patiently for your attention to rest on them? These are all ways a dog expresses their unconditional love for their people, but often times it can go unnoticed as we proceed through our busy lives. Because dogs can’t verbally express how they feel about us, we need to watch their actions and while many of these are sweet and instantly recognizable, some are, well, quirky to say the least.
Let’s take a look at the most common dog love languages:
Physical and body language cues:
Tail wags – a happy dog often wags their whole body, not just their tail. The wiggle starts midway up their chest and extends through their tail. They are wagging so much they are moving from side to side in order to keep their balance. While a straight tail or high tail are often a warning, a relaxed, side to side swish is nothing but adoration.
Leaning – a dog who leans their body into you is showing love in as close to a hug as they can accomplish. They trust you and you are their safe place.
Soft eye contact – They will often be found gazing adoringly at you. This is actually an oxytocin release creating a love loop and shows they are bonded to you.
Nuzzling into you – When they want your attention and to be close to you, they will often nudge you with their head and work their way into your personal space.
Physical and body language cues:
Tail wags – a happy dog often wags their whole body, not just their tail. The wiggle starts midway up their chest and extends through their tail. They are wagging so much they are moving from side to side in order to keep their balance. While a straight tail or high tail are often a warning, a relaxed, side to side swish is nothing but adoration.
Leaning – a dog who leans their body into you is showing love in as close to a hug as they can accomplish. They trust you and you are their safe place.
Soft eye contact – They will often be found gazing adoringly at you. This is actually an oxytocin release creating a love loop and shows they are bonded to you.
Nuzzling into you – When they want your attention and to be close to you, they will often nudge you with their head and work their way into your personal space.
Licking – They are releasing endorphins as they lick you, similar to giving kisses. It’s also an act of love, similar to cleaning their young. It shows they are bonded to you, even if it leaves you a bit slobbery at times.
Belly Exposure – No, it’s not just an excuse to get belly scratches. Exposing their belly is their most vulnerable way to say I trust you and I feel safe with you. Don’t take this for granted.
Behavioural cues:
Following you – yes, the constant shadow is showing you love. They are in fact in protection mode when they do this. They are checking on you and making sure you’re safe.
Bringing toys – offering you their prized possession is similar to offering your loved one the last piece of pie. This is showing you they value you more than the toy. If they run from you to retrieve something to offer when you’ve been away from them, this is actually an emotional balancer. They are so overwhelmed with affection in your presence that they need a moment to regulate their emotions.
Playing – This is the most recognized cue for showing love. It’s not the action of playing that keeps them engaged, it’s the people they are playing with.
Protecting you – barking at perceived threats, alerting you to the presence of someone close by.
Comforting you – dogs are so perceptive to our emotions that they will often be sensitive to mood changes and offer their presence to comfort us.
Following you – yes, the constant shadow is showing you love. They are in fact in protection mode when they do this. They are checking on you and making sure you’re safe.
Bringing toys – offering you their prized possession is similar to offering your loved one the last piece of pie. This is showing you they value you more than the toy. If they run from you to retrieve something to offer when you’ve been away from them, this is actually an emotional balancer. They are so overwhelmed with affection in your presence that they need a moment to regulate their emotions.
Playing – This is the most recognized cue for showing love. It’s not the action of playing that keeps them engaged, it’s the people they are playing with.
Protecting you – barking at perceived threats, alerting you to the presence of someone close by.
Comforting you – dogs are so perceptive to our emotions that they will often be sensitive to mood changes and offer their presence to comfort us.
Quirky cues:
Smelling our scent – they love you so much that they carry articles of clothing or shoes around. Socks seem to be the favoured item for our dogs.
Happy growls – some would say it’s a purr like sound or a grunt when they are feeling complete comfort.
Bathroom companion – Where you go, I go. This is so bizarre to me, but it’s actually an innate trait to protect. In the wild, one stands guard as the other relieves themselves, so they have simply brought that into your relationship. I’ve got your six, so to speak.
Licking your feet – this is the ultimate I love you from your dog, as strange as that may sound. It does so many things at once. Offers affection, yes, but also gives your dog so much information about you. You release pheromones through the sweat pores in your feet. This gives the dog key information on your emotional state. It also gives them information about your health through the toxins released in your feet.
If you are not seeing these things in your dog, it’s time to look at the relationship between the two of you. Adding more time in your schedule for working, playing and socializing with your dog will only ever lead to a more secure and loving relationship with them and will have them following you to the bathroom, nudging you for cuddles and licking your feet in no time.
Smelling our scent – they love you so much that they carry articles of clothing or shoes around. Socks seem to be the favoured item for our dogs.
Happy growls – some would say it’s a purr like sound or a grunt when they are feeling complete comfort.
Bathroom companion – Where you go, I go. This is so bizarre to me, but it’s actually an innate trait to protect. In the wild, one stands guard as the other relieves themselves, so they have simply brought that into your relationship. I’ve got your six, so to speak.
Licking your feet – this is the ultimate I love you from your dog, as strange as that may sound. It does so many things at once. Offers affection, yes, but also gives your dog so much information about you. You release pheromones through the sweat pores in your feet. This gives the dog key information on your emotional state. It also gives them information about your health through the toxins released in your feet.
If you are not seeing these things in your dog, it’s time to look at the relationship between the two of you. Adding more time in your schedule for working, playing and socializing with your dog will only ever lead to a more secure and loving relationship with them and will have them following you to the bathroom, nudging you for cuddles and licking your feet in no time.
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