Adopter Series: 5 Ways to Show Your Dog Some Love This Valentine's Season

How do you know that your dog loves you? Maybe they excitedly greet you when you come home, they snuggle up close to you on the couch, or they lick your face to wake you up in the morning. Dogs show their love pretty clearly, but how do you show your love in return?

Sometimes, when we think we’re telling our dogs one thing, they’re getting a totally different message. For instance, did you know that dogs don’t really like hugs? Dogs put up with hugs because they love us, but they can be confusing because they make our dogs feel trapped and unable to defend themselves against potential threats. In order to make our dogs feel truly loved, we need to learn to speak their language. This Valentine’s Day, show your dog you love them by using some of our 5 tips to show love in dog language. 

1. Learn About Dog Body Language

If you don’t take the time to learn how dogs communicate, how can you expect your dog to understand when you say that you love them? Humans rely heavily on verbal communication, but most dog communication happens non-verbally. Many people fall into the trap of trying to talk to their dog how they’d talk to another person, and this can lead to some big miscommunications. 

That’s why learning about dog body language is a great way to start showing your dog affection in their own language. Read up on what’s considered “rude” in dog speak, like direct approaches, intense eye contact, and (unfortunately) hugs, and avoid these actions. On the flip side, you can also use dog language to make your pup feel safe by intentionally using calming signals, like yawning and look-aways, when your dog seems stressed. 

2. Meet Your Dog’s Enrichment Needs

Enrichment is a great way to reduce doggy stress, so doubling down on enrichment efforts can help to show your dog that you care. 

Give your pup opportunities to engage in instinctual behaviors (and bond with you) by playing with interactive toys, going on walks, and using positive reinforcement to teach some new tricks.

A daily game of fetch is a great way to show your dog you love them while meeting their need for enrichment.

3. Stand up for Your Dog

Use your newfound knowledge about dog body language to start advocating for your dog. When you’re attuned to your dog’s signals, you can stand up for them and let them know that they can trust you to protect them. 

If a stranger wants to say “hi” during a walk, encourage them to avoid direct eye contact, stand to the side, and let your dog come to them – and respect your dog’s boundaries if they start to show signs of anxiety. If another owner wants your pups to meet, make sure to properly introduce them and remove your dog at the first sign of stress. During playtime with other dogs, be sure to encourage frequent breaks and intervene if your dog seems uncomfortable.

4. Spend Intentional Time With Your Dog

In a study published in Applied Animal Behavior Science, researchers played audiobooks for 31 shelter dogs. They found that these dogs showed a decrease in stress behaviors and an increase in resting behaviors. If the disembodied sound of random human voices brought comfort to those 31 shelter dogs, imagine how much comfort you bring to your dog who knows and loves you.

We all get caught up in our busy schedules, but it’s important to carve out time to intentionally spend with your dog. Show your dog you love them by scheduling regular times to play, pet, and talk to your dog.

Secret Tip #6: Enlist the Help of a Dog Behavior Consultant

Are you struggling to learn dog language? Maybe you’ve just adopted a dog and aren’t sure how to apply what you’ve learned, or maybe you’re a shelter volunteer or employee who doesn’t know how to meet the behavioral needs of the pups in your care. Whatever your struggle may be, Laurie Lawless has the tools to help. Laurie is a dog behavior expert with 13 years of experience in the field, and she’s putting her knowledge to work for shelter dogs and the humans who love them. Check out the Laurie Lawless Shelter Behavior website to learn all about Laurie and access her virtual and on-site shelter consulting services.