12 Signs Your Dog Doesn’t Love You (Even if You Think They Do)

The affectionate nature of dogs makes them inclined to shower us with love. Knowing that dogs enjoy human company, finding out that one doesn’t like you can be quite impactful. It’s already disheartening enough when you approach a strange dog, and it doesn’t want to be petted, but when you adopt a new dog into your family, and it doesn’t seem to like you, it can feel even more discouraging. In this video, we’re going to talk about twelve signs that a dog might not be your biggest fan.

They don’t wag their tail when they see you.

You can learn a lot about your pet’s feelings by closely observing their tail. If you approach your dog, and they start wagging their tail in a positive manner, it means your furry friend is content and happy to see you. A lowered tail, on the other hand, is an unmistakable indicator that the dog is nervous or scared. It’s important to note that not every wagging tail signifies friendship. Wide and fast wags suggest that the dog is happy, especially when the dog’s rear end is also moving along with their body. On the other hand, a tail wagging slowly and reluctantly usually indicates that the dog is unsure about the situation. Pay attention to the subtle movements of your dog’s tail to understand how they’re feeling.

They don’t want affection after eating.

Dogs are pack animals that crave companionship. If your dog enjoys playing or lying down with you, that’s a good thing. It means they see you as part of the pack and find your company and attention enjoyable. Even more so, if your dog seeks affection after eating, that’s a sign they love you. Post-meal affection shows a strong bond of love between the owner and the dog because it demonstrates that your dog doesn’t see you merely as a food provider. On the other hand, if your dog is actively ignoring you, that’s generally a sign they’re not happy, and you might need to figure out why. However, remember that dogs often try to hide discomfort. Dogs who begin acting differently with their favorite humans might be trying to conceal a health issue or injury. A sudden behavior change like this may warrant a visit to the vet.

They don’t make eye contact with you.

Animal behavior specialists believe that a dog’s ability to look a human in the eyes in a non-aggressive way was one of the first steps in canine domestication. Somehow, they learned that humans like eye contact, and by gazing into a person’s eyes, they build a meaningful relationship. When your dog is willing to look lovingly into your eyes, it’s a sign that they trust and understand you. On the flip side, if a dog isn’t your biggest fan, they will avoid your gaze and move away. This is because, most of the time, dogs prefer fleeing over fighting. By looking away from you, your dog is trying to keep the peace and avoid confrontation.

They don’t seem to want to sleep in your room.

Wolves and wild dogs deliberately sleep in small, confined areas with trusted pack members to protect themselves from predators. Our dogs see us as part of the pack and feel they can rely on us for protection in case of danger. So, if your dog doesn’t want to sleep in the same room as you, there may be a trust issue.

They ignore your commands.

Some people think that training a dog depends only on the animal, but in reality, it involves the bond shared between both sides of the leash. If a dog doesn’t trust the owner, they will be less likely to respond well to training. In fact, many people who adopt newly rescued dogs struggle with training because of a lack of trust. Many rescue dogs have seen the worst of humanity, through abuse, punishment, and abandonment, and trusting their new families isn’t something that comes naturally. While training from the start is important, it may take a few months for a rescued dog to realize their new family is permanent. Additionally, research published in the journal *Developmental Science* shows that dogs ignore information they consider unnecessary. So, if your pet is suddenly ignoring your commands, it’s a sign that they’re unhappy with you.

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[BobbyDoggyy]

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[joeyvocals]

This is absolutely fascinating! I am 26, and I never had a pet growing up! German Shepherds are my favorite!

[JohnRussell-vt]

I’m fine with the toys; she brings me toys regularly. Petting is my biggest problem; she doesn't like to be petted.

[doctordetroit]

Depending on the breed....not listening is standard. Some are highly independent by nature. Dogs can be their own dog and still love you.

[JohnRussell-vt]

IThe first one was good, and I'm thinking I’m fine. Now I'm still watching and on number 6, but I failed the others. 😭 How can I change this? It makes me upset.