Do dogs really know when you love them? 🐶❤️ Dog psychology and canine science suggest that dogs can recognize affection through signals that go far beyond the gestures we might expect.

Research has revealed fascinating ways dogs respond to human interaction. A 2015 Science study found that mutual gazing between dogs and their owners can trigger a shared oxytocin loop. A 2016 brain imaging study showed that dogs' reward regions respond strongly when praise words are paired with a warm, positive tone. Research from Barnard College found that opportunities to sniff during walks are associated with more positive internal states in dogs. A University of Bristol study found that tug-of-war play, regardless of who wins, is associated with increased attentiveness toward owners. And research from Memorial University found that owners' presence produces distinct proximity-seeking behaviors that strangers do not.

In this video, we explore 7 research-supported ways to show your dog you love them — using the signals that actually matter in the language of dogs.

🐾 Which one do you do most naturally? Tell us in the comments.

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#dogpsychology #dogbehavior #caninescience

📚 Research Behind This Video
Nagasawa, M., Mitsui, S., En, S., Ohtani, N., Ohta, M., Sakuma, Y., Onaka, T., Mogi, K., & Kikusui, T. (2015). Oxytocin-gaze positive loop and the coevolution of human-dog bonds. Science, 348(6232), 333–336. DOI: 10.1126/science.1261022
Andics, A., Gábor, A., Gácsi, M., Faragó, T., Szabó, D., & Miklósi, Á. (2016). Neural mechanisms for lexical processing in dogs. Science, 353(6303), 1030–1032. DOI: 10.1126/science.aaf3777
Duranton, C., & Horowitz, A. (2019). Let me sniff! Nosework induces positive judgment bias in pet dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 211, 61–66. DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2018.12.009
Rooney, N. J., & Bradshaw, J. W. S. (2002). An experimental study of the effects of play upon the dog–human relationship. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 75(2), 161–176. DOI: 10.1016/S0168-1591(01)00192-7
Deldalle, S., & Gaunet, F. (2014). Effects of 2 training methods on stress-related behaviors of the dog (Canis familiaris) and on the dog–owner relationship. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 9(2), 58–65. DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2013.11.004
Kuhne, F., Hößler, J. C., & Struwe, R. (2012). Effects of human–dog familiarity on dogs’ behavioural responses to petting. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 142(3–4), 176–181. DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2012.10.003
Ryan, M. G., Storey, A. E., Anderson, R. E., & Walsh, C. J. (2019). Physiological Indicators of Attachment in Domestic Dogs (Canis familiaris) and Their Owners in the Strange Situation Test. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 13, 162. DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00162

00:00 — Does Your Dog Know You Love Them?
01:00 — Let Them See That You See Them
01:55 — Let Your Voice Match What You Mean
02:50 — Let Them Explore the World With Their Nose
03:45 — Get Into the Game With Them
04:40 — Notice When They Get It Right
05:45 — Pay Attention to What They Tell You About Touch
06:50 — Just Be There
07:50 — What Dogs May Actually Experience as Love
08:45 — The Small Moments That Feel Like Home

⚠️ DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. We are not veterinarians, certified animal behaviorists, or professional dog trainers. The information presented is based on scientific research and is not intended to replace professional veterinary or behavioral advice. If your dog is showing signs of illness, distress, or serious behavioral concerns, please consult a qualified veterinarian or certified animal behavior professional.

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