Have you ever wished your dog could talk? Imagine if someone invented a dog translator for their every bark. You could find out exactly what they were thinking — and how they felt about you!
Although dogs can’t speak, and the universal dog translator is still a dream rather than a reality, your dog is communicating with you every day in their own way. Learn to read their body language and behaviour and you can start to tune in to what they are feeling.
How do you know if your dog loves you?
A wagging tail is usually taken to be a sign of a happy dog — but it can mean a few different things. A dog wagging its tail is experiencing strong emotions; they could be happy, stressed, or even frustrated. Watch the rest of the dog to help identify a ‘happy tail wag’. If their body seems relaxed, and there’s some movement in the body as the tail moves, you’ve probably got a happy dog on your hands. The direction of the wag matters too. Studies have shown that relaxed dogs tend to wag their tail towards the right. If they are worried, dogs will tend to wag their tail towards the left.
If your dog wags their tail in this way, they are very happy to see you. You may have seen some dogs perform a special ‘helicopter’ tail wag, where the tail moves round in circles. This is usually reserved for times of great joy and excitement.
As well as your dog’s body, you can watch their faces for clues about how they’re feeling. A relaxed face and a slightly open mouth are both signs your dog is enjoying your company. Some dogs even look like they are smiling, lifting and pulling back their lips, and opening their mouths slightly. This may well be in response to human smiles. Dogs are adept at reading our body language and know that smiling means we’re happy — and they want to join in.
If a dog likes you, it will seek your attention. They might invite you to play by bowing in front of you and sticking their rear in the air. Or they might press themselves into your leg and look for physical closeness. Playing with and cuddling your dog is a great way to bond. Giving them the attention they’re looking for (if you can) and taking a few minutes for a snuggle or to throw a ball can also work wonders for your happiness levels.
You may or may not love your dog licking your face, but licking is another way dogs show their affection. Dogs may lick you in greeting or just because they think you taste nice — particularly if you’ve just finished a delicious meal. As with other dog behaviours, context is important. Excessive or obsessive licking may signal a medical problem, boredom, or stress. If the licking doesn’t seem excessive, though, it’s fine to accept their slobbery greetings. And if the dog breath is a little on the strong side that day, it’s also fine to gently redirect and interact with your dog in other ways.
Reading a dog’s behaviour can be tricky, but watching carefully can reveal more than you might expect. Pay close attention to your own dog, and you should be able to learn a great deal about what they’re feeling. And hopefully, you’ll be able to understand when they say ‘I love you’.
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