8 ways dogs show affections to humans

 

Dogs are social animals that show a lot of care and affections to their owners using different physical gestures. These gestures are ways that your dog communicates to you that she appreciates all the attentions, treats and kindness you are showing her. But you need to be sensitive to these gestures in order not to miss them. This article highlights in detail the different ways by which dogs show affections to their owners.

Eye Contact

A direct eye contact from your dog is an expression of love, trust and intimate attachment with you. Whenever your dog looks directly into your eyes, a hormone known as Oxytocin is released from his brain. This hormone enables both humans and animals to establish a strong bond with anyone they feel attracted to. So by having an eye contact with you, the dog is trying to establish a strong and lasting bond with you. While eye contact can be a sign of affection, it can also indicate a threatening sign especially if it is from a dog unfamiliar to you. Therefore, avoid long eye contact with an unfamiliar dog as doing so can send a sense of threat and confrontation to the dog.

Jumping

Although this might be irritating and not a habit you may want to encourage in your dog, but jumping is a way by which your dog can show so much love and enthusiasm whenever he sees you, having missed you all day. Because dogs are not as tall as humans, the only way they can reach your face to show you love is to jump, without any intention to harm you.

The use of his tail

Dogs use their tails to express different emotions like happiness and fear. They can also use their tail to indicate that they are about to take part in a fight, in which case the tail will be stiff and raised high over their bodies. However, a wagging of the tail in a circling motions, usually mean a friendly gesture.

Leaning

Leaning is another common habit that dogs use to show love and affection to their owners. However, leaning can also mean that the dog is afraid and nervous and want protection from you. It can also indicate that the dog wants something from you or wants you to take him somewhere.

Licking

Licking is a way that dogs keep their puppies clean and to tell them that they are always there for them. However, when your dog extends this physical gesture to you, it means that he recognizes your authority as the leader of the pack who deserves respect. Licking can also be an indication that the dog wants your attention or that he is stressed.

Rolling

At any point in time your dog comes over to you, lays on the ground and starts rolling on her back, she is saying “I like you and I trust you”. You should reciprocate this love gesture by rubbing your hand on the dog’s tummy.

 

Nose Nudging

Dogs also show affection by the use of their nose. If your dog comes to you and nudge you with her nose, it is a way of telling you that she likes you. This can also be a way the dog craves your attention or to tell you that you are standing on her way.

Following you

Because of the love your dog has for you, she will tend to follow you about to be where ever you are. Furthermore, the dog may also follow you because he has the intention to protect you from any possible attacks. Either way, following you is born out of her deep affection for you.