Encourage Me: No Language Barrier

I have always fantasized about having the same powers as Doctor Dolittle. Mostly because knowing exactly what animals are thinking and feeling would be some really valuable information to have.

For instance, why does my dog bark at the vacuum cleaner, or hide in a corner whenever the [slightest] bit of rain starts to fall? I don’t think I’ll ever know the answers to those questions, but thanks to new developments in the science of dog communication, I now know whether or not my dog loves me.

Much like studies that have found that dogs have certain powers (or enhanced physical senses). Scientists have also uncovered that because dogs and humans have been so deeply intertwined through history; dogs have developed unique ways [of] expressing their love for humans. The signs are…not always obvious….All you need to know are the tiny signs that prove your dog’s love for you.

1. Staring directly into your eyes - On a 60 Minutes segment, Anderson Cooper met with Brian Hare, a well-known dog expert, to discuss how dogs express love. According to Hare, when your dog looks you in the eye, he is “hugging you with his eyes.”

When a dog looks at you while the two of you are playing with one another or just cuddling, oxytocin is released. It’s the same hormone that helps new mothers bond with their babies.

If you want to test this out with your dog, don’t go home and a have a staring contest with your pooch. He will sense something is off, and look away because he feels awkward. Instead, try to naturally maintain eye contact with him during your normal routines and see how he responds.

2. Yawning when you yawn - Yawning is contagious. But did you know this impulse isn’t limited to just humans? Dogs (because they’ve been bred to read humans) also yawn when someone they love yawns.

A study found that when humans echo another’s yawn, it’s because they’re empathetic (like sympathy pains). It’s impossible to measure if dogs are empathetic…It’s possible that a dog yawning the same time as a human happens because the dog has bonded with that person. The study also found that dogs were more likely to yawn when their owners yawned (as opposed to a stranger).

3. Leaning on you - The song “Lean on Me” is all about offering support, and dogs crave that same kind of security. Sometimes a dog will lean on a human because he is anxious, wants you to do something, or take him somewhere. But leaning is also a symbol of affection.

Even if your dog is leaning on you out of pure nervousness; he is still doing it because he thinks of you as someone who can protect him and keep him safe.

4. Cuddling with you after a meal - In his book, How Dogs Love Us, Gregory Berns [says] if your dog cuddles with [you] after eating [that] it’s a strong sign that they do indeed love you.

Most dogs lovers (or even people who don’t like dogs) know that pups are motivated by food…According to Berns, once a dog eats all its food; his next action can signify what’s most important to him besides eating.

Sometimes your dog may have to do his “business” right after a meal, but watch how he reacts in the morning and at night. If he’s snuggling up with you after one of these meals, then there’s some definite puppy love on his end.

5. Lifting and wiggling eyebrows - We think we can read a dog by its tail, but its facial expressions are a way more powerful indicator. In a recent study in Japan, dogs were introduced to their parent, a stranger, a dog toy, and an item they didn’t like.

When seeing their parent, the dogs immediately lifted their eyebrows (especially their left), and when they saw a stranger there was a lot less facial movement (except for movement of the right brow).

Yet when they saw an item they knew and had bonded with; the dogs shifted their left ear back…If it was an item they didn’t like, their right ear shifted. According to the study, this suggests the dog is more reserved when they are engaging someone they don’t know (or something they disapprove of).

6. Watching you leave calmly - Some people think that if a dog panics when they leave that it’s a sign that they love them. That’s not necessarily true, according to Gregory Berns.

If your dog panics when you leave, it’s more of a sign that they have separation anxiety than that they love you. If a dog goes into his crate or is accepting of you leaving, (i.e. they’re calm when you leave) it means your dog loves and trusts you and is confident that you will return.

7. Freaking out when you return - We all feel special when we come home and we’re greeted by our dog with his tail wagging, a favorite toy in tow, and he’s jumping all over the place like a crazy kangaroo.

And it’s a good thing we like it; because it’s a very distinctive way a dog shows you his love for you (and it’s love in its truest form).

8. Sleeping in your room - Another way to figure out whether your dog loves you is observing where he likes to sleep. It’s part of a big controversy, but if your dog wants to sleep in your bed (even if you don’t allow it) he definitely loves you.

According to Gregory Berns, if a dog wants to sleep on your bed, it’s a good test of his loyalty because he doesn’t want to be separated from the pack.

9. Bringing you his favorite toy - If your pup brings you his favorite (most coveted) toy, it doesn’t just mean your dog wants to play. Although wanting to play with you is a sign of affection in itself, when your dog brings you his favorite ball, it may also mean he thinks of you as his pack leader.

Because of this, he wants to please you by offering you his finest possession (be it a squeaky toy or well-worn Frisbee). He thinks you’ll like it as much as he does, and as they say, “sharing is caring!”

10. Enjoying your love - Do you love your dog? According to Gregory Berns, dogs can actually innately sense whether or not you love them. So if you don’t love them, you’re not getting it back in return!*

*Adapted from “10 Surprising And Secret Ways Your Dog Says ‘I Love You’” by Elyse Wanshel.

Though our three Chihuahuas have demonstrated these methods many times, I believe the above ten “love languages” are not exclusive to canines. They can be shown by many different pets (in a variety of ways).

One point that is not mentioned in the above list is a dog’s ability to love their owner to the very end. They will allow their friend the opportunity to provide a quick, peaceful death. (See Silent Partners) Similar to the eternal kind nature of the Heavenly Father, a pet’s unconditional love (during their lifetime) knows no limitations for the object of its affection.

Ecclesiastes 9:4 (MSG) makes the following life lesson about man’s best friend. Still, anyone selected out for life has hope; for as they say, “a living dog is better than a dead lion.” (See Blessed)

The Almighty can use your life for His glory (no matter how many mistakes you’ve made). Even when your earthly presence is just a memory to others, the Heavenly Father can use it as a testimony to bring others to Himself.

In the chorus of a song by Christian artist, Sandy Patti, we are all given an important reminder about the importance of love in our communication. In addition to considering this chorus in connection others will you also think about it in light of the way your favorite animal companion cherishes you?

Love in any language, straight from the heart
Pulls us all together, never apart
And once we learn to speak it, all the world will hear
Love in any language, fluently spoken here

Psalm 139:4 (MSG) adds this additional insight to the aspect of our communication with both individuals (and animals alike). “You know everything I’m going to say before I start the first sentence.”

Your Heavenly Father is so intimately acquainted with who you are that He is fully aware of all the talking you will do to others throughout your normal day. Since he is aware of this, what is He hearing from your mouth on a regular basis? Is it loud, angry frustration or wise, peaceful instruction? Once again, the choice is up to you.