Do you sometimes wonder, “Does my dog love me?” You may be the one feeding and walking your dog, but that does not guarantee that he loves you more than anyone.
There is more to being your canine pet’s favourite person than being his main carer. There are various factors at play in terms of how dogs choose who they like.
But before we dive into the nitty-gritty of things, let us first know how pooches show affection to their human companions.
4 Ways Dogs Express Their Love to Their Owners
Our furry pals use body language and vocalisation to communicate and show how much they love us. Here are telling signs that your pet is smitten with you:
1. Tail Wagging and Happy Greeting
A dog’s tail provides visual cues of how he is feeling. When it is standing upright and wagging furiously when you are around, it means he is delighted with your presence.
2. Licking
Are you still asking yourself: “Does my dog love me?” One way to know is to check if he keeps licking you.
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3. Soft Eye Contact
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4. Sharing Toys
When your dog brings you toys, consider this a sign of affection. It means he trusts you with his favourite items. This behaviour also communicates that he wants some quality time with you by playing games.
4 Ways Dogs Choose Their Favourite Person
1. Dog Breed Influences Favourite Human Choice
Not all dogs love their owners the same way. Some, like the outgoing Labrador Retrievers, Poodles, and Golden Retrievers, can distribute their affection amongst many in the family. Others, such as the Shiba Inus, Basenjis, and Greyhounds, prefer to focus their affection on just one person.
If you have a one-person canine for a pet, you can be sure to be the only apple of his eye. What if your dog is the kind that can juggle many loves at a time? The succeeding factors will influence who he chooses as his pack leader.
2. Personality Compatibility and Socialisation
Different dogs display a different set of characteristics. And like in human relationships, a canine pet tends to be drawn to people who match theirs.
“A mellow dog will bond more closely with the low-key family member than the person running around the house,” explained pet lifestyle expert Nicole Ellis.
Although dog owners and their pets tend to have similar personalities, it is not always the case.
If you notice that you are more active than your furry friend, dial it down now and then. Try to spend quiet time with your pet for no less than thirty minutes daily. Enjoy each other’s company and relax, even going so far as to breathe slowly so your energy will match his.
If your pet is exposed to many good interactions with you during that time, do not be surprised if you will become his forever favourite.
To help your dog be a well-balanced pet, he should be socialised well during the first six months of his life. He should be exposed to various environments, people, and things. He should continue to be socialised well past his puppy years too.
However, if you had your furry buddy past the crucial phase, you still should continue to socialise him. You still have a good chance of being chosen as your pet’s alpha figure.
You may also like: Puppy Socialisation Checklist
3. Quality Personal Bonding Experiences
Naturally, if your dog gets the most attention and affection from you, he will choose you as his favourite person. But it is not all about how much attention you can give him—the quality of your bonding experiences also matters.
You can also opt to engage in your pet’s favourite activities more often. Making new memories and having more special moments will boost or reinforce your #1 position in his canine heart.
4. Positive Associations Impact Your Likeability
This is closely linked to having quality bonding experiences with your dog. The more good experiences happen in your company, the more likely your pet will associate you with the positives.
This is not to say that you should never discipline him or have him go through undesirable experiences, like veterinary visits. Rather, aim to make such experiences better than they are.
You can make it fun or treat such events as special ones that help minimise your pet’s anxiety. For example, if your dog does not like baths, you can incorporate his favourite toys into the task. You can even turn it into a game. Or you can massage him whilst bathing him so he feels calmer.
FAQs About “Does My Dog Love Me?”
1. How Do I Tell If My Dog Is Bonded With Me?
You can tell if your dog is bonding with you by looking out for these behaviours:
- He greets you happily and wags his tail with excitement.
- He licks you to get your attention.
- He often shares soft eye contact with you.
- He has a habit of bringing his toys to you.
You may also like: Does My Dog Love Me? 15 Compelling Signs to Look For
2. Do Dogs Have a Favourite Person?
Some canines are friends to almost all people, but some also have a single favourite person. They hang around with their preferred human longer compared to other people in the household. Moreover, they may also seek more physical contact with them.
3. How Do I Make My Dog Love Me More?
Make your dog love you more by spending more time with him. This can be in the form of increased playtime, training sessions, and outdoor excursions.
Simple, mundane activities like hanging out with him whilst watching TV or cuddling in bed also make a big impact in fostering more love between you and your furry pal.
You may also like: Dog Communication: Researchers Say “Dog Talk” Is Key to Pet Bonding
4. Do Dogs Like Being Hugged?
Most dogs do not like being hugged because it makes them feel trapped. They may misread this form of affection as an act of dominance. Thus, look for other ways to express your love for him, such as giving him more head pats and belly rubs.
Conclusion
In sum, a dog’s breed, personality compatibility and socialisation, bonding experiences, and positive association impact how he chooses his favourite person. If you feel that you’ve checked all these bases, then your dog has no reason not to love you!
To ace these factors and be your dog’s #1 person, check out our golden rules that will help you be his alpha dog. You can also take a look at other posts on choosing the best dog breeds and pet behaviour.