The relationship between a dog and its people is nothing to underestimate. It is based on mutual love, appreciation and above all trust. Contrary to popular belief, gaining a dog’s complete trust is more than just a few snacks and belly rubs. If you want your dog to trust you with its life, you need to earn it. It can take months, even years, of devoted love and attention to earn a dog’s trust. Not every relationship works, but if your dog trusts you 100%, you’ll know. Here’s how to do it.
1. He looks you in the eye
In human body language, eye contact can range from “I take you so seriously” to “Will you date me?” Your eyes can send others a number of different messages, but in general, looking someone in the eye lets them know that you are focused and paying attention. With a dog’s body language, however, eye contact tells a completely different story. A dog that makes eye contact with another dog is most likely threatening. It is a sign of dominance and to keep the peace, most dogs avoid locking eyes with their furry friends.
Your dog won’t look another dog in the eye, but you are not another dog. You are the one he trusts more than anyone else in the world. Animal behavior house Alexandra Horowitz says In her book, “Inside a Dog,” the ability of dogs to look people in the eye in a non-aggressive way is one of the first steps to dog domestication. Somehow, they learned that humans love eye contact, and that by looking a person in the eye, they establish a meaningful relationship. If you and your dog can look lovingly into each other’s eyesit’s a sign your dog trusts you and understands you.
2. He comes to you for hugs
It’s easy to disregard dog cuddles when your dog is covered in blankets and taking up most of the bed. He might kick you in his sleep or fart dangerously close to your face, but the fact that he’s sleeping with you in the first place is a good sign that you’ve fully trusted him.
Dogs are the most vulnerable when they are sleeping. Wolf and feral dogs purposefully sleep in small, confined areas with herd members they trust for protection from predators. For your pet dog, curled up in bed is the safest place. Voluntary cuddling and cuddling is one of dogs’ favorite ways to show their love to people. They know you won’t hurt them while they sleep, and if an unwelcome guest knocks on the door, he knows he’d rather be near you than far away.
3. He’s confident and comfortable around you
You can tell a lot about a dog’s feelings based on their body language. Fearful or anxious dogs run back and forth, cower, put their tails between their legs, lick their lips, yawn when they’re not tired, panting and clamping his ears to his head. When used in a casual context, all of these actions indicate that something is bothering your dog. For one reason or another, they are not as confident or comfortable as they should be.
On the other hand, animal behaviorist Victoria Stilwell reported that dogs that trust their people often show signs of confident and comfortable body posture. They keep their mouths slightly open, their eyes blink frequently, their ears are forward, and their tails wag or wag and hang loose. This type of body language shows that your dog is confident around you and is not afraid of being scared or surprised. Your dog trusts you to keep things under control. You’ll notice the dog’s confident posture when you do housework, go for walks, and simply spend time together.
4. He responds well to your training
Most people think that training a dog is all about the dog, but it’s really about the bond shared at both ends of the leash. If the dog doesn’t trust its handler, it will be less likely to respond well to training. Some trainers get results from punishment and fear-based lessons, but most behaviorists agree that this type of “obedience” is not the same as a dog responding to signals. brand based on trust and respect.
Many people bring home newly adopted rescue dogs and have to work hard to train them because they are too trusting. Rescue dogs witness the worst of humanity through abuse and neglect, and trusting in their new family doesn’t come naturally. While immediate training is important, it can take days, weeks or months to realize his new family is permanent. Once he feels comfortable enough to let his guard down, he can begin to build trust and the training process goes much more smoothly. If your dog seems eager and attentive during training, that’s a sign he respects and trusts you.
5. He’s calm when you leave
Worry is a common behavior problem in dogs. These pups panic when their families leave them alone and get into serious (often dangerous) trouble. Even if you don’t categorize your dog as having separation anxiety, some puppies will cry, whine, and scratch at the door when their favorites disappear. Sometimes this means they want to join in on the fun they’re missing out on, but it can also mean they don’t fully trust the people they love to come back.
If your dog trusts you 100%, it won’t doubt that you’ll eventually come back for belly rubs and play. He may not be happy about your daily commute, but for the most part, he’s calm. He’ll patiently wait for you to finish whatever mysterious work you have to do, and he’ll be ready to greet you when you get home.
6. He looks to you for reassurance and guidance
Whether you’re going for a walk or playing at the park, you and your dog are a team. You don’t always agree on which plants are worth sniffing and when to return home, but your puppy is happy to be out on adventures with his favorite human. For fearful and shy dogs, being out in a new environment can be especially intimidating. They feel comfortable knowing someone they can trust is there for emotional support.
Even if your dog doesn’t usually get nervous outside, you can tell he trusts you if they regularly check on what you’re up to. If he’s walking on or on a leash, he might look back in your direction to make sure you’re still there and approve of his behavior. If you’re at the dog park and he’s busy wrestling with his best shoots, he’ll probably stop every now and then to get back to where you’re standing. He earns your trust and he’s happy to keep you involved even if it’s just a small thing.
Knowing you fully trust your dog is a great feeling. It means you’re getting this whole “parenting” thing right, and you and your dog have a great relationship. However, earning your dog’s trust is a big responsibility. He’ll turn to you when he’s sad and scared, and you’ll be the first person he hangs out with when he’s happy. Never take it for granted. If you want to improve the trust between you and your dog, see this paragraph.
