…How close are you to your beloved dog?

Let’s be honest here: there is a tiny chance that you love your pup more than you love some of the humans you have to interact with on a daily basis. You spend a lot of time with your dog playing, running, teaching them tricks, or simply cuddling.

You take care of your dog every single day and you surely would come home in a second if something happened to your pup. That leads me to today’s question: how do you know if the feeling is mutual and your dog loves you as much as you love them?

Keep reading along with us and you will find out. Without further ado, here are 8 signs your dog really does trust you.

1. They Sleep In Your Room 

As Kenny Lamberti, acting vice president of companion animals at the HSUS, says, dogs like to sleep in a place they feel comfortable. If they choose to sleep in your bedroom, it seems that they enjoy being there and they are cozy.

2. They Steal Your Shoes

Even though it might be annoying when your pup steals your shoes or another object of yours, they might do it just because they like you very much. According to several experts, this behavior might indicate that they want something that belongs to you in order to comfort them when you’re not there.

…And what better connection than stealing and playing with something that smells just like you? 

3. They Follow Your Lead

Several studies have discovered that pups that have a strong bond with their owners behave just like little kids when they are with their parents. When dogs feel attached to their humans, they might copy their behavior.

For example, they look to their owners when they’re not sure about something, and they are more likely to explore new places with their owners, rather than going alone or with someone they don’t know.

Another thing they do is copy your emotions. For instance, if you’re anxious, your dog might be anxious as well. Or if you’re happy, your pup might get in a good mood too. Some experts say that this might not be a sign of trust, but it surely means comfort and familiarity.

4. They Learn Your Routine 

Trust manifests differently in humans and pets. If you need a lot of time to get to trust somebody, things can be different when it comes to your pup. Pets need to have a routine, in order to feel happy and relaxed.

One of the best things you can do to build a healthy and flourishing relationship with your pup is to make these routines as enjoyable as possible. If you feed them every day at 7 am or take them for a walk in the park once you get home from work, they get used to these and expect them at the designated times.

Once you set a routine for them, they will remember everything and they will be ready when the time is right. Besides that, they will also put all their trust and confidence that you’re going to respect your arrangements.

5. You Understand Their Body Language

There are dogs that are naturally more relaxed and lazy when they’re around their owners, while others are more animated and energetic. Every dog is different, but if you notice that there are changes in their behavior, you should know that something might be wrong.

If you want to have a strong bond with your dog, you should learn their body language. Jessica Lockhart, animal behavior director for the ASPCA Adoption Center, recommends trying a technique called “consent petting”.

Only pet your pooch if they don’t move away when you approach them. If they come to you, pet them for a few seconds, then look at their reaction. If they lean towards you or if they boop your hand, it means that they want more.

If they start yawning, quickly lick their lips, or turn their head away, they don’t want to be petted anymore. The more you’ll understand their body language, the more likely it is that they trust you.

6. They Wag Their Tail In a Specific Way 

The majority of people think that when a dog wags their tails they are happy. However, there are some Italian researchers who believe something different. In a 2007 study, they discovered that the direction in which dogs wag their tails can tell a lot about their emotions.

For instance, if your pup is wagging its tail to the right, it indicates that they are happy and excited, compared to the left-leaning wagging, which means that they have some negative feelings.

7. Look In Their Eyes 

A group of researchers from the University of Japan found that when pups and their owners started into one another’s eyes for a longer period of time, both of their oxytocin levels increased.

Oxytocin is a hormone that is also known as the cuddle and love hormone and it’s the same thing that helps new mothers bond with their babies. If you think about it, the same thing happens when you see someone you truly love and trust: your heart beats faster and you want to spend more time in their company.

On the other hand, you have to keep in mind that staring doesn’t necessarily mean trust, so you should always take other factors into consideration as well, such as the environment and their body language.

8. They Don’t See You Angry Very Often 

There are times when you might get frustrated with your dog, but you should pay attention to this, especially if you want your pup to trust you! A study from Brigham Young University said that your pooch is able to read your emotions and they are less likely to put their trust in you when you’re not in a good mood.

Researchers studied how pups reacted when they saw their owners point to a hidden reward without saying anything, then repeated the same command while using positive or negative vocal and facial gestures.

When dogs saw the negative expressions (having a sharp and harsh voice and being irritated), they weren’t in the mood to search for the treat.

…Do you think your pooch trusts you? Tell us in the comments down below!

…If you enjoyed reading this article, make sure to give this one a try as well: 20 Giant Dogs That Adore Their Smaller Owners!