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10 Signs Your Dog Considers You Its Best Friend

Are you wondering if your furry friend sees you as more than just a provider of food and belly rubs?

As social creatures, dogs form strong bonds with their human companions. And they have unique ways of telling you ILY.

Want to know if you’ve hit BFF status with your pup? Below are 10 signs your dog considers you its best friend!

Contents

1. Looks You in the Eye

french-bulldog-smiling
Image by Alexandr Ivanov on Pixabay

Believe it or not, dogs have evolved to look us right in the eyes, and there’s some pretty cool science behind it.

Just like with humans, prolonged eye contact is a strong sign of affection in dogs. That soft, loving look taps into the same emotional connection that bonds parents and babies.  

Feel warm and fuzzy when you lock eyes with your dog? They feel it too! At the core, that’s a chemical reaction happening. You and your dog both get a boost of oxytocin, aka the love hormone, during those tender moments.

Read Next: 10 Things People Do that Dogs Hate

2. Wags Their Tail

Dogs playing outside in a backyard
Source: Canva by Sharon Gucker from Getty Images

Tail wagging is the most obvious sign of a happy dog. Not all tail wags are the same, though. But those loose, sweeping wags with a full-body wiggle? That’s pure love!

Early domesticated dogs likely found tail wagging an effective way to interact with humans. We’re total suckers for movement, and our response must’ve reinforced this behavior in dogs ages ago.

While dogs originally used tail wags to communicate with other dogs, they probably figured out how much we loved it and thought, “Hey, this works great with our humans too!”

Read Next: 10 Warning Signs Dog Owners Tend to Ignore

3. Seeks You Out for Comfort or Physical Contact

Owner Hugging an Annoyed Pet Dog
Source: Canva by simonapilollatnf

Ever notice how your dog just has to be touching you? Like leaning against your leg during dinner or squishing themselves next to you on the couch. 

Well, dogs are pack animals, and staying close to their pack leader (that’s you!) is instinctual. They seek you for protection, support, and a sense of security.

Whether it’s a paw on your foot or a head on your lap, any consistent form of physical contact screams they’ve found their favorite hooman.

Read Next: 10 Myths about Dogs You Should Stop Believing

4. Follows You Around

Woman in a graden tightly hugging her dog
Source: Canva by Helena Lopes from Pexels

Got a four-legged shadow? When your furry friend trails you from room to room, they’re showing classic pack mentality. Sure, it’s a bit of clingy behavior but still pretty cute.

Dogs are social animals. They want to be involved in everything you do, even if that means keeping you company while you sit in the loo.

There’s also a practical side to it. Dogs associate you with care, food, play, and affection. They know you’re the source of all their favorite things!

Read Next: 10 Signs Your Dog Needs More Love

5. Shows You Their Belly

A limping pet dog with one leg raised off the floor in pain
Source: Canva by Teamjackson from Getty Images

When your dog flops over and shows their belly, they’re not just angling for belly rubs (though they’ll never say no to that!).

A dog’s belly is home to all their vital organs. Your dog baring their most vulnerable spot is like handing someone the password to your phone.

Basically, they’re putting their life in your hands. And if they doze off while lying belly-up? That’s complete trust right there.

This sign of submission is your dog’s way of saying, “I feel totally safe with you.” How sweet is that?

Read Next: 10 Things Your Dog Will Never Forgive

6. Reads Your Emotions

A dog on a walk on a leash
Source: Canva by Brendan von Wahl from Getty Images Pro

Do you ever feel like your dog somehow knows exactly when you need extra cuddles or when you’re having a rough day?

That’s because dogs are masters of observation. They can pick up on the tiniest changes in our emotions and body language.

They’re also super responsive to our tone. So, while a cheerful voice can summon a wagging tail, a sharp tone can make them pause and look concerned. 

Read Next: 10 Signs of a Happy Dog

7. Sleeps Near Your

Cute dog Laying Down Looking Sad
Source: Canva by Darren Baker

In the wild, pack animals only sleep near those they trust to have their back during vulnerable moments. And bedtime is one of those times they feel especially exposed.

So when your furry companion insists on snuggling up beside you or claims that spot at the foot of your bed, they trust you to keep watch while they’re catching their Z’s. You’re not just their bed buddy, you’re their best buddy!

Read Next: 10 Reasons Dogs Make Better Pets than Cats

8. Brings You Gifts or Their Favorite Toys

Dog on agility training
Source: Canva by eAlisa from Getty Images

Ever had your dog trot over and drop a slobbery toy in your lap or something they “found” (like your missing sock)? It might not seem like much to you, but this is a grand gesture coming from your dog!

Dogs have an instinct to share, especially with their pack. When your dog brings you a “gift,” they’re only doing what comes naturally.

The next time your dog brings you one of their treasured possessions, play along! Dogs don’t just give gifts to anyone. They save their best for the ones they trust the most—you! 

Read Next: 10 Signs Your Dog is Bored and How to Fix Them

9. Greets You at the Door

Dog barking beside his owner
Source: Canva by Capuski from Getty Images Signature

That crazy-happy welcome-home ceremony? You know the one—with the over-the-top tail wagging, and maybe some happy whines? That’s your dog telling you just how much they missed you!

This enthusiastic greeting the moment you walk through the door is your fluffball showing pure, unfiltered joy at reuniting with their favorite human.

Even if you were only gone for five minutes, to them, it’s like their best friend in the whole world just returned after being away all day.

Read Next: Dog Sleeping Positions and what they mean

10. Perks Up at the Mention of Your Name

grumpy-tibetan-spaniel-in-snow
Image by Alexandru-Cătălin Stoica on Pexels

Do your dog’s ears shoot up like little antennas when someone mentions your name? That’s not a coincidence!

Sure, dogs know to come running when they hear their own names, but hearing yours gets their attention too.

Why? Again, they likely connect your name to all the good stuff, including treats, pets, and games of fetch.

Whether it’s love or excitement (or both), one thing’s for sure: your dog thinks you’re quite a big deal!

Read Next: Interesting Facts about Dogs

Final Thoughts

A man making eye contact with his dog
Source: Canva by Antonio_Diaz from Getty Images

There you have it—10 signs your dog considers you its best friend. Does your dog display any of these signs?

Share your favorite moments with your canine companion and celebrate the incredible human-animal bond that makes dogs our most loyal friends.

Read Next: Best funny dog jokes

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