Lisa O
You absolutely adore your fur baby. You feed them the best dog food you can find, make sure they get plenty of walks and playtime every day, and treat them like family—you’d do anything for your dog. But does your dog know they can trust you with their life, and if they do, how can you tell? Here are 15 ways dogs show they trust you.
Letting You Give Kisses and Cuddles
It’s a common misconception that all dogs are naturally super cuddly and affectionate with everyone. While some dog breeds are definitely cuddlier than others, even the most affectionate dogs can get a little freaked out when a stranger tries to invade their personal space. If your dog happily accepts lots of kisses and cuddles from you—or even starts them themselves—it’s because they know you’re a safe, trusted friend!
Holding Eye Contact
With most animals (including other canines like wolves), direct eye contact is a threat, but that’s not the case for dogs and their special humans. A 2015 study from the University of Japan found that prolonged eye contact between pups and their owners boosted oxytocin levels (the bonding hormone) in both dogs and humans. It’s believed that dogs may have developed this human-like behavior to help them communicate better with us.
Showing You Their Belly
Most animals, dogs included, don’t like showing their vulnerable bellies to just anyone. Exposing a dog’s soft underbelly in the wild could be dangerous. So when your pup rolls over and shows you its tummy, it’s a sign of submission and recognition of your authority. Your dog’s basically saying, “You’re in charge, and I trust you not to hurt me.” They might also hint that they’re ready for some belly rubs!
Offering Their Favorite Toys
Sure, your dog might drop their favorite toy at your feet to get you to play with them, but some dogs also seem to offer up their most prized possessions as gifts. This gift-giving behavior can actually be a sign of trust. Dogs can be pretty possessive over their treasures, so by giving you their favorite toy or cuddly blanket, they’re showing they trust you. Honestly, we’d say that’s the best gift of all.
Wagging Their Tail in a Certain Way
Did you know that the direction of your dog’s tail wag can say a lot too? In a 2007 study from Italy’s University of Bari, researchers looked at how dogs wagged their tails when they were with their human parents and an unfamiliar person or animal. When they were looking at their humans, their tails usually wagged to the right, while they tended to wag to the left when faced with someone they didn’t know.
Relaxed Body Language
Dogs are super expressive with their body language, and learning how to read it can tell you a lot about how they feel about you. If your dog usually shows relaxed body language when you’re around, it’s a good sign they’re happy and comfortable in your presence. A chilled-out dog’s body posture will be soft and wiggly, with relaxed eyes, an unwrinkled forehead, ears held naturally, and a mouth either closed without tension or open in a relaxed pant.
Responding Best to Your Commands
Well-trained dogs typically follow commands from more than one person. But if your dog is way more responsive to your commands than anyone else’s, it’s a sign they’ve “imprinted” on you, meaning they’ve built a pretty strong emotional bond with you. While that’s definitely a huge compliment, it can be a bit tricky if you need your dog to listen to other people when they give commands.
Yawning When You Yawn
You know how yawns are contagious—like when someone near you yawns, and before you know it, you’re yawning too? Well, dogs can “catch yawns,” too, but not just from anyone. A 2013 study from the University of Tokyo found that a lot of dogs did “catch” yawns, but they did it way more often when their human yawned rather than a stranger!
Always Following You Around
If your dog’s always following you around without being called, it’s pretty obvious—they love you. You’re their safe, familiar, and trustworthy person, and they just enjoy hanging out with you, even if you’re not playing. But while following you is a sign of trust and affection, it can turn into a problem if they start panicking, crying, or getting destructive when you leave or aren’t around. In that case, they’re probably dealing with separation anxiety.
Swiping Your Clothes
Has your dog ever swiped your dirty laundry or your stinky shoes? It might seem like a hassle, especially if they chew on your stuff, but there’s more to it than just mischief. Your dog can pick up a lot about you just by sniffing your worn clothes! Dogs also enjoy rolling around in them, and some researchers think they do this to “meld their scent” with yours—or maybe they just want to feel closer to you.
Looking to You for Help
Has your dog ever given you an anxious look in a new situation or run to you when they’re feeling scared? Dogs often see their special humans as a “secure base,” much like how human kids look to their parents. In fact, experts noted that dogs work harder to solve a challenging puzzle toy when their humans are in the room with them.
Leaning Against You
Maybe it’s not enough for your dog to just stand next to you—they have to lean their whole body against you. Some people might think this means they’re trying to show dominance, but that’s not it at all. Most of the time, it’s just a sign that your dog wants to be close to you. You’ll usually see this more with bigger dog breeds.
Getting Used to Your Routine
Pets thrive on routines to feel secure and happy. So, the best way to build a solid relationship with your dog is to make those routines enjoyable. If you feed him every day at 9 a.m. or take him for a walk when you get home from work, he’ll start to expect those things at the right times. Once the routine is in place, he’ll be ready for that food or walk, trusting that you’ll keep your side of the deal.
Sleeping Close by You
Many dogs like to sleep in the same room as their humans, if not in the same bed, and most pet parents are more than happy to share those cozy snuggles. Dogs just want to sleep where they feel most comfortable, and in the wild, canines prefer to sleep in tight spaces close to other pack members they trust to keep them safe. You’re part of your dog’s “pack,” so it makes sense they feel safest when they’re snoozing nearby.
Turning to You for Guidance
Dogs that have a close bond with their owners act a lot like kids with their parents. They look to you when they’re unsure about something. They’re also more likely to check out new places with you by their side rather than venturing off on their own or with a stranger. They even mirror your emotions to some extent—getting anxious when you’re stressed and staying calm when you’re chill.
