Every dog owner I know feels sure they can tell how their pet’s feeling – which is pretty remarkable, given that our body language and facial expressions are completely different.
Still, research suggests that sometimes, we get it wrong. For instance, a 2009 paper found that the “guilty” look ascribed to dogs after they’ve misbehaved probably has more to do with being told off than it does actual remorse.
So, what about love?
We may never know whether they feel the bond as we do. But experts feel pretty sure dogs feel empathy with their owners and react to their emotions, and they can miss and trust us, too.
Here are some science-backed signs your dog feels “excessively affectionate” towards you:
1) Your dog wants to be near you, especially when they’re stressed
A 2019 paper found that when a stranger was introduced to a room with a dog and their owner, the dog tended to huddle closer to the familiar face. And when they were left alone with the new person, dogs were likely to stand near the door, as if waiting for their friend to return.
2) They raise their eyebrows at you
Among humans, that might be seen as a bit passive-aggressive or as a sign of surprise. But some evidence suggests that dogs are more expressive when humans are around, suggesting they might want to communicate with us – and raised eyebrows may have even evolved to help us feel closer to them.
3) Your dog is a petty thief
Some experts think that stealing everything from your shoes to your clothes (socks very much included) could mean your dog is trying to surround themselves with your reassuring scent.
We sweat more from the bottoms of our feet than other parts of our body (not least because they have a whopping 250,000 sweat glands), meaning our socks and shoes are infused with even more of our soothing smell.
Cute, in theory...
4) They hate to see you stressed
One study found that dogs whose owners were trapped in a simulated box trap seemed visibly distressed, pawing at the container to help them escape and pining for their favourite human.
We also know that dogs can “catch” their owners’ emotions (meaning they can perceive and feel them too), especially when they feel close to them.
5) They keep soft, relaxed eye contact with you
Scientists have previously found that owners and their dogs are more in sync with one another’s brainwaves when they made eye contact. And gazing into one another’s eyes seemed to increase bonding chemicals for both humans and their dogs.
Disconcerting as it may feel, meanwhile, dogs that maintain eye contact with you while pooping could be showing just how much they trust you.
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