Ways to tell dogs you love them in their own language

Any dog owner will agree with this fact: your dog loves you unconditionally.

Our dog will always be happy to see us, to cuddle with us, to play with us. Our dogs will love us because they are loyal and because you are their master and caretaker, and for that they are forever grateful. No wonder why we call them ‘man’s best friend!

All this love they have for us is simply amazing and it feels great receiving it, but what about them? Do we show our dogs that we love them back? Have you ever wonder how could you show your dog how much you really love her/him?

There are a few ways you can show your loved canine friend your devotion in their language:

Gaze deeply into their eyes: try gazing into your dog’s eyes when the two of you are calmly relaxing. Speak softly and maintain eye contact. According to Dr. Brian Hare, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at Duke University, these calm moments stimulate the release of Oxytocin in the canine brain, the very same hormone that bonds mother to child.

Rub your dog’s ears: dog’s ears are a hot spot for nerve endings and when activated, those nerves send messages all throughout the dog’s body while releasing endorphins, a neurotransmitter responsible to cause a state of happiness, also known as the body’s natural happy drug.

Lean on them: not kidding here, if you actually press your body against your dog’s body, you will be showing that you trust her/him and it is a great way to show affection. Remember all the times your dog would press up against the back of your legs while you were standing? That was a dog hug you were getting! Now go ahead, give a hug back!

Engage in deep conversations: it might sound silly at first, but know this: scientific studies have indicated that the average dog can understand about 165 words. And they are not the only one benefiting from a good talk: previous studies have shown that talking to and petting dogs can contribute to lower blood pressure in humans.

Let your dog sleep with you: according to Gregory Berns, a neuroscientist at Emory University, sleeping with a human is the ultimate display of love and trust our dogs can give because that is when they are at their most vulnerable. If you have a ‘no dogs in bed’ policy, try snuggling up on the sofa or on the floor for a few minutes each day to show your affection.

Give these a try and you will surprise yourself at how much of a deeper connection you will feel with your four-legged friend.

“A dog is the only creature on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.” - Josh Billings.

Laura.