Signs of Affection in Dogs

Dog owners know when their own dogs are showing them signs of affection, although the affectionate mannerisms may differ from dog to dog. A dog's love for you is fairly obvious by his body language. However, a dog may appear to be expressing affection for you when in fact he really wants to be fed.
  1. Licking

    • Puppies lick their mothers because they want to be fed and they lick other adult dogs to show respect, acknowledging the older dog's status in the pack. When a dog licks his master, he is recognizing him as leader of the pack, explains Smalldogsparadise.com.

      When a dog licks you out of affection, you can tell because he will be relaxed, which you can see in his body language. However, a dog also licks when he is stressed or anxious.

      On the other hand, a dog may lick you because he likes the taste of your lotion or the salt on your skin. If your dog likes to give you sloppy kisses and you don't like it just tell him 'no' and eventually he will learn.

    Following

    • Dogs tend to stay close to and follow the person that they love because they enjoy that person's company.

    Rolling Over

    • Rolling over is one of the most basic signs of dog happiness and affection. It's also an invitation to rub her belly, and it means the dog trusts you.

    Jumping

    • A dog will jump on you if he is excited to see you. If you don't want your dog to do this, do not encourage it.

    Tail Wagging

    • When a dog wags his tail, he is telling you that he cares about you. When he rests his head on his lap, he wants you to pet him, but it is also a sign of trust and love for his master.

    Rubbing

    • Some dogs will rub against you in a sign of affection, just as cats do.

    Love and Affection

    • Dogs can love if they are given someone to love, explains Veterinarypartner.com. Dogs also want to please their masters if the master appreciates what the dog does. Humans love their dogs by teaching and training them. You will know if your dog has learned what you have taught him by the way he subsequently behaves.