International Dog Day: Here are 7 signs your furry baby loves you

Even the most adamant cat owners recognise that dogs are man's greatest friend. They are fiercely loyal, very clever, and adorable companions and most puppy owners consider their dog to be a member of the family. But do our dogs reciprocate our affection? Yes, in a nutshell. Dogs show their emotions in several ways, ranging from highly subtle to completely apparent, making it difficult to distinguish between good and negative expressions. Our pets love us unconditionally; they exhibit it in unusual ways at times. Here are some signs which show that your pet loves you:

The reaction when they see you
When you return home from work, school, or errands, does your dog jump up and down, kiss your hands and face, bring you its favourite toy, or even "excited pee" a tiny bit? Yes, they are delighted to see you! This is a sight that all dog owners are acquainted with. When you open your front door, you are greeted by your pet. Your dog will most likely leap on you, lick your face, and wag its tail. Being ecstatic and glad to see you is one way to know they love and miss you.

 
When your dog leans and cuddles you
This can be expressed by a brief nuzzle, a hug, or the renowned lean. All of these behaviours indicate that your dog wishes to express affection. It's best to let them do it on their terms, so avoid the desire to encircle them in a bear embrace.
If your dog leans on you while you're sitting on the floor or the sofa, it implies it feels safe, secure, and entirely at ease. 

When they wish to sleep near you
Dogs sleep in a group adjacent to each other, by nature. They put their noses to the breeze to detect any odours that may indicate a threat. When your dog snuggles next to you or wants to sleep in your room, it shows that they trust you and feel comfortable with you. When dogs are afraid or worried, they will lean towards their owners, but this signifies that they perceive you as their defender.

When you fall in love with their puppy eyes
Would you look someone in the eyes if they made you feel uneasy, insecure, or threatened? Not at all! Long, prolonged eye contact is intended for those with whom you love, trust, and feel comfortable. Eye contact is a significant deal for dogs, and it's only saved for people they love and trust. Dead-on eye contact is an aggressive gesture in the wild. They employ this strategy to frighten one another and achieve control. When your dog stares you in the eyes and maintains eye contact without their pupils dilate, they are affectionately looking at you.
The important thing is to keep genuine eye contact when playing or snuggling. If you make forced eye contact with your dog, it will likely become uncomfortable and look away.

When they treat you like their family & check on you
Cooking, watching TV, going to the toilet – your dog is there through it all, or at least tries to be. Your dog may visit your bedroom once in a while to say hello, or they may be your constant shadow throughout the home. Checking in on you is only one way your dog expresses affection. They're checking to see whether you're okay!

When they steal your clothes
It's clearly inconvenient to have to chase your dog down the hall while he or she runs away with your socks or underwear, but you might reconsider if you learn that this type of act is also a sign of affection. Dogs perceive the world through their sense of smell, so when they love you, they adore the smell of you! According to Puppy Leaks, they may take your clothes in order to keep that fragrance.
 

When they reciprocate your actions like yawning
According to a Live Science study, dogs were more likely to yawn at the same time as their owners than with a human stranger. According to the same study, yawning may be a sign of empathy, so if your dog yawns along with you, it might be a show of affection. Dr. Randall, on the other hand, has never heard of this indication and feels it is a show of comfort rather than affection. Another sign to be on the lookout for is excessive yawning as your dog might be ill, according to Randall.

• International Dog Day
• Dogs