How to say "I love you" to your dog

We’ve all seen one of those feel-good videos of a dog howling “I love you”. But how do dogs show affection?

Our four-legged friends show their unconditional love in their ecstatic enthusiasm every time you walk through the door and in their puppy-dog eyes every time you leave. It’s in their warm welcome home after your holiday, their loving companionship when you’re feeling down in the dumps, and their affectionate snuggles after a long day at work; it’s no secret that a daily dose of adoration from our furry friends will do any pet parent and dog sitter a world of good.

But how do you tell your loving fur baby that you couldn’t live without them? Read on to find out how to show your dog you love them.

Have a game of fetch!

We all know pups are ball-mad, but sometimes we underestimate just how important playing fetch is for our beloved best friends.

Imagine you’ve been lazing around at home all day and you need to stretch out those legs. There’s nothing better than a run around in the park, the wind in your hair (ears), and something to chase! Just like cart-pulling donkeys following a carrot on a string, we all love a bit of an incentive to get active.

Add to that a dog’s natural hunting instinct, and it’s easy to see why they love to play fetch! Let’s just hope their recall skills are just as good…

Become a professional ear scratcher  

Most dogs love to be stroked, actually, they can’t get enough of it. But did you know that our canine companions have a special sweet spot just behind their ears?

The key nerve centre means that giving your furry friend a good scratch behind the ears will release feel-good endorphins which make your dog happy. And those fluffy dog ears can do wonders for your own oxytocin levels; studies have proven it can be just as calming and grounding for the pet parent as it is for the pup.

Wellness tip number one - rub your dog’s ears!

Upskill your dog

Beyond the standard “sit… wait…go fetch!”, train your best friend to high five, play dead, and even skateboard!

Learning keeps our buddies’ brains active, it makes them feel useful, and it’s great for pet parents too! Now, if we could just teach Fido how to make a good morning coffee…

Have a heart-to-heart

Dogs are sociable pack animals, so one of the best ways to tell your dog you love them is to have a chat with them. Trust us, they’re great listeners, and the unconditional love they have for you means you can talk to them about anything.

Vent about the noisy neighbour, have a moan about your bad-tempered boss, and even tell them your deepest darkest secrets. Talking things through with your best bud is great for you too - think of it a bit like therapy.

Having a heart-to-heart about your problems without any (intentionally) judgemental looks can lower blood pressure and stress levels, making you an all-round happier pet parent.

…or some storytime

There’s being able to talk to your dog, then there’s telling them a story. Reading in shelters has been proven to calm down anxious or energetic pooches. So why not try it with your very own four-legged friend?

You’ll win extra brownie points if you can try to include some words dogs can understand, like “squirrel”, “walkies”, and “good boy”! Dogs actually love the sound of that high-pitched, baby voice you put on when you’re alone, so carry on doing what you’re doing!

Facial expressions and body language also help to show your doggo what’s going on in the story, keep them interested, and show them that you love them. 

Hold that awkward eye contact

Ever get the feeling that somebody’s watching you? If you’ve got a pooch in the house you will be all too familiar with that intense gaze, especially when you’re eating. Well, next time try holding that eye contact a little while to form a deeper connection with your four-legged friend and show them that you are a true dog lover.

Studies show that locking eyes can increase the levels of oxytocin in a dog’s bloodstream by 130% and a huge 300% in humans! Holding that eye contact can increase the loving bond we share with our favourite animals, and if you can get them to raise their eyebrows, you’ve won them over completely. 

Treat your pooch to some TLC

Tender loving care is an important part of every relationship. All dogs want is to be a part of the family, so giving them the same love and attention you give to other family members is one of the best ways to show your dog you love them.

The more quality time you spend with each other, the stronger your connection with each other will be. If you’re wondering how to bond with your dog, give them a belly rub on the floor, a tickle under the chin, or let your pup lounge on your lap in the evenings. Having a cuddle will make your dog feel safe and secure, like part of the pack. 

Be a copycat

Still not sure how to show your dog affection? Pay attention to how your best pal acts around you, and mimicking this behaviour is the pawfect way to show your dog you love them. For example, pups love a trust fall. They will show they feel comfortable with you by leaning up against you, so give it a go.

And do dogs understand kisses? Even though some pooches might seem to love a smothering of kisses, it is unlikely they actually know what it means. The closest dogs get to kissing each other is an affectionate lick, so it’s best to stick to familiar territory and avoid a mouthful of fur. 

Trick or treat!

Every dog loves to be rewarded with a treat for being a good boy. Treats are a great way of providing positive reinforcement for your beloved pet, and showing them that they’ve done a good job. 

Trusted tip: always remember to check with the pet parent before giving a dog any treats! 

Get into a routine

Wake up to watch the sunrise, journal for five minutes, do a ten-step skincare routine, drink a glass of celery juice… oops, not that kind of routine!

But a bit like us, dogs thrive from sticking to a schedule. Getting out on that morning walk no matter what the weather is doing will show your cute canine that you care, making sure they never have to miss out on any important sniffs. Giving them their dog food at regular feeding times is another way of showing your love, and it also helps to regularise their bowel movements!

Pet parents and their dogs form a stronger bond with every day they are together. Learning how to say I love you in dog language isn’t easy, but trying out some of these tricks will help you to be a bit more in tune with each other.

But at the end of the day, love languages are different for everyone. So why shouldn’t your four-legged friend’s be just as unique? Maybe yours is more fond of an afternoon snooze than chasing a ball, loves a walk but gets cold feet when the weather’s bad. You know your dog’s love language the best!

Related article: International Friendship Day: Meet My Pet Best Friend