Dogs have ways of expressing their affection, despite the fact that they cannot speak. From subtle acts of love to overt displays of affection. Here are 15 clear signs that your dog loves you.

Dogs are truly selfless beings who know how to love, better than humans. As they say, your dog is the only being who loves you more than himself. And all they expect from you is a little love in return.

Your pup will always be the most loyal, ferocious, and adorable companion you could ever have!

When you’re at work, you can’t wait to come home to cuddle your dog. Did you know that dogs also have their own way of saying “I love you” to you? They may not be able to put their love into words and phrases like humans, but through their body language and even facial expressions, they are always trying to tell you that they love you very much. Interestingly, vets can attest to this themselves!

15 Proven Signs Your Dog Loves You, According to Veterinarians

They have eyes full of love when they make eye contact with you.

Just like humans maintain longer eye contact with the people they love and admire, puppies also maintain eye contact with you when they love you.

When dogs look into your eyes, they release oxytocin into their brain. Oxytocin (aka the love hormone), is the same hormone that a mother’s brain secretes when she bonds with her newborn babies, which explains the lengthy eye contact with your pup and the deep bonding you share with them.

2. They smile at you.

No, it’s not a figment of your imagination, dogs actually smile at you. The dog’s open and relaxed mouth or smile – an indication that he is smiling at you and expressing affection.

They love cuddling and snuggling with you.

Dogs love to cuddle and cuddle you to show their love and affection for you. They will seize any opportunity to lean over you, put their head on your feet, or sit on your lap to spend some quality time with you.

4. They look for you when they haven’t seen you for a long time.

Your furry friend will check up on you when he hasn’t seen you around for a long time. Dogs miss their owners terribly when they are separated for so long, and all they want to do is be near you and spend time with you. Being with you makes them happier. They will be with you for a long time and will try to be as close as possible whether they are at home, in parks, or any new environment.

5. They love your body odor.

It has been scientifically proven that your scent activates the reward center in your dog’s brain also known as the caudate nucleus. Your scent is one of the most familiar things to them, and whenever they smell a scent from you, their happiness knows no bounds. This is a clear sign of the tremendous love and affection your dog feels for you.

6. They bring you their favorite toy, as a gesture of love and trust.

Every pet has a favorite toy. It’s what they love the most and the most possessive about it. When they bring their favorite toy to you, it’s a sign of the special place you hold in their heart, and what makes this special is that they don’t do it for just anyone. To them, you are special and that is why they bring you their favorite things without any hesitation.

7. They can’t stop wagging their tail when they see you.

Tail wagging is a sign of a happy, relaxed dog. A lot of vets suggest that if your dog wags his tail more to the right side of his butt when he sees you, it could be a sign of his love and affection too.

8. They always want to sleep next to you.

Your dog will only want to sleep next to you when he/she feels safe and comfortable with you. If your pup insists on sleeping next to you or at least in your bedroom, this is a clear sign that he/she has all heart for you.

9. They can’t contain their happiness when you come home.

Whether you are away from home for 10 minutes or 10 days, your dog will always give you a big enthusiastic welcome as soon as you return. They’d jump up and down, lick your face, feet, and hands, or simply “pee in excitement.” Yes, that’s how much your dog loves when they see you home!

10. They steal your clothes so they can smell you.

Dogs love their owners’ scents, which is why they try to raid your shoes, socks, and pile of clothes to take them with them. Your scent is familiar to them, and it gives them pleasure. Therefore, they try to try it out whenever they can. Next time you see your dog running around the house in your clothes or shoes, don’t scold him. Instead, give them a tight hug.

11. They love the sound of your voice.

Your dog likes the sound of his name even more than when he hears it in your voice. You can watch their expressions change each time you call their name; They would drop anything they were doing and run to you.

12. They guard you whenever they can.

Not many people may know this, but when your dog loves you and is devoted to you, he will protect you when you eat. Their inherent protective instincts make them want to keep those they love safe. They consider you part of their pack, which is why they feel the need to protect you when they are eating or relaxing. This is just one of the many ways they try to show the love they feel for you.

13. They rub and scrub their faces on you.

Many dogs show their owners that they love them by brushing and rubbing their faces. It is one of the common ways of showing affection, marking you as their way. Rubbing his face on you shows how vulnerable and confident they are in you. But of course, if you see them rubbing their faces against every surface, you should consult a doctor for any possible infections.

14. They try to calm you down when you’re feeling upset.

If your dog feels your pain and hurt, this is a sure sign that he loves you. Have you ever cried, and your dog came up to you and tried to lick up your tears? This is how they show that they love you. Dogs can instinctively sense when their owners need some comfort and support, and they try to make you feel better by resting their heads on your lap, licking your face, or simply trying to get close to you.

15. They bring you things that need to be “fixed”.

When your dog brings you his broken and torn toys, it means he trusts you to fix them. Dogs don’t do this for just anyone, because they have a lot of their own, so if they’re doing it for you, it means they love you. They believe in you and your wit to fix their favorite things. For example, if they destroy their favorite toy, they will bring it to you, put it in front of you and beg you to make it right.

Now you know how a dog behaves and what it does when it loves you. Your dog will always love you more than anything else, and make sure you do the same, too. Now go give some much-needed hugs to your furry four-legged friend!