10 Signs Your Dog REALLY Trusts You

We often talk about our dogs giving us unconditional love, but building a bond and real trust with your pup takes some time.
Earning a dog’s complete trust isn’t as simple as giving out a few treats and belly rubs, especially if your pooch has had some negative experience with humans in the past.
In this video, you’ll learn 10 signs that shows your dog really trusts you and shares a strong bond with you.
Handing you their toy as a ‘present’
One of the cutest things that dogs do when they trust you is give you toys, bones, or any random thing as a gift.
You may have no interest in your pup's tattered tennis ball, but their willingness to share it with you is a sign of true affection.
This is because most dogs are possessive of their belongings. When your dog offers to share something with you, like a toy or bone, they’re signaling that they feel fully comfortable with you.
Plus, studies have shown that dogs are more likely to share food with other four-legged friends rather than with strangers.
They sleep in your room
Typically, dogs sleep in a place where they feel comfortable. So sleeping in their owner’s room is certainly an indication of comfort. Wolves and wild dogs purposefully sleep in small, confined areas with pack members they trust to protect against predators.
Our dogs think that we are in their pack, and feel like they can count on us to protect them in the face of a danger.
So, if your dogs want to sleep with you, it means they see you as a trusted fellow pack member.
Their eyes say it all
If you and your dog can gaze lovingly into each other’s eyes, it’s a sign your dog trusts you and understands you.
Plus, scientists have shown that dogs develop strong emotional bonds with humans by staring into our eyes.
They Listen
Some people think training a dog is all about the dog, but it’s actually about the bond shared on both ends of the leash. If a dog doesn’t trust their owner, they are less likely to respond well to training.
Your dog doesn’t panic when you leave home
Dogs who freak out when they are left alone, may fear they are left alone forever, that their human is never coming back. This can manifest in your dog crying, whining, scratching at the door and misbehaving. Sometimes this means they want to join in on the fun they’re missing out on, but it could also mean they’re not completely confident that the people they love are coming back.
If your dog fully trusts you, they won’t doubt that you’ll eventually be back for belly rubs and playtime. They will wait patiently for you to finish up whatever business you have to do, and they will be at the door ready to greet you when you get home.
They are Confident and Relaxed Around You
Dogs that trust their owner will display a confident and relaxed body posture. They keep their mouths slightly open, blink their eyes often, and their tails are either wagging or perky and loose. This type of body language indicates your dog is confident around you and isn’t worried or scared. Your doggo trusts you to keep things under control and protect them if needed.
They follow your lead
The results of a 2013 study showed that dogs that have a strong bond with their owners behave similarly to that of human children with their parents. Dogs will look to their owners when they’re uncertain. They get distressed when they are put in an unfamiliar situation
Likewise, bonded dogs tend to have a strong recall response. They will make sure their human is close by in new, unfamiliar situations, and they are far less likely to run away.
They put their paw on you
If your dog puts his paw on you, it can be his way of saying “I love you.” We pet our pups to show our love and affection. By putting his paw on you whilst you are stroking him, he is further extending contact and reciprocating affection back
They check on you.
Watching TV, cooking, bathroom visits — your canine is there through it all — or at least they try to be. They’re not following you around the house because they think you may disappear, they do it because they love you and want to keep you safe. Checking up on you is just one way your dog shows affection.
They show you their belly
A dog’s belly is the most vulnerable part of their body. It’s instinctual for dogs to protect their vital organs. When they roll onto their backs or sleep on their side, they’re doing the exact opposite. Your dog showing you their belly is a sure sign they feel safe when you’re around. They are not worried that you’ll sink your jaws into their exposed abdomen, and they’re fairly confident you’ll protect them if something jumps out suddenly to attack them.

[MintyCanRead]

I love what you added at the end, that having a dog's trust is also a responsibility to look after them and not to take it for granted.

[FacnyCatFighter]

After losing my dog, I often agonised over whether he loved me as much as I loved him. He was a rescue and, as such, was quite shy and aloof around most people - obviously struggling with trust. After watching this video, I'm a lot more confient that I had gained his trust totally, as he displayed every one of these signs!

[mikelgibson]

I miss my dog so much. I lost him during Covid19. This video makes me certain he loved me. We did a lot of obedience and training and took him to the park and beaches. He displayed nearly all of the actions mentioned in this video, so I am glad the feelings were mutual. I miss my buddy.

[jeaniewelch]

As a 71 year old owner of a dachshund who was severely abused, I think we have made WONDERFUL progress!! He comes to me if I cry and lays his head on my chest, looking in my eyes and licking any tears. If I hurt myself, he comes immediately and shows concern by licking me or climbing into my lap and holding onto my arm. He wants to be with me has severe separation anxiety, due to this being when the abuse occurred. A family member abused him in my absence!!!😢 We (my pup and I now are on our GLAD of it!!! He is a very precious little mini dachshund! He is the JOY of my life!!

[hoosiermvp]

I love my dogs unconditionally. This video just made me think that the feeling is mutual. Thanks for posting this

[megananderson]

I got my dog when I was in a very dark mental state. I needed a companion more than ever before I got her. I’ve had her for about nine months. Knowing how much I depend on and love my dog and realizing that she does everything on this list makes me feel like the luckiest person in the world.

[videosbyivy]

I just adopted a dog that I was fostering and have been so nervous about whether I made the right choice for her. She's a rescue from a hoarding case and was very anxious when she first arrived. She's only been with me a month so far and has already displayed every sign here. I think I made the right decision.

[amberlawson]

the "they don't panic when you leave home" made me cry so hard, my mom passed and my poodle has "waited" for her, she didn't panic, doesn't cry she just..waited like normal, she was use to her being in the hospital and would come home always, she still hasn't panicked but sits in my mom's normal spot, I think she knows this time mom isn't coming home and that's how she is grieving

[violetmcentyre]

For anyone who doesn't want to watch the whole thing...
10: Handing you their toy as a 'present' ( 0:27 )
9: They sleep in your room ( 1:16 )
8: Their eyes say it all ( 1:43 )
7: They listen ( 3:02 )
6: Your dog doesn't panic when you leave home ( 3:50 )
5: They are confident and relaxed around you ( 4:36 )
4: They follow your lead ( 5:09 )
3: They put their paw on you ( 6:08 )
2: They check on you ( 6:27 )
1: They show you their belly ( 6:52 )

Hope this was helpful! ☺️


Edit: Tysm for all your kind words and likes!

[stamendmentmedia]

I used to think my dog's love was the great gift I was ever given. I learned, it's her trust. My dogs trust is the greatest gift ever!

[DJDRAM]

I hope we can see all the dogs weve ever bonded with in the after life

[dianebazaldua]

I was diagnosed with Lung cancer in September & ever since then, my Xena, is constantly with me. She jumps on my lap & starts licking me a lot. I feel she knows how sick I am & is trying to cure me. I love her so much. She truly is my therapy dog.

[snipedude]

My family had a Rottweiler in the nineties, he wouldn't stay in anybody's room whilst he was a puppy, so we left him in the living room at night with the door closed and he kept banging on the door to be let out, it turns out he wanted to be able to patrol the house at night. His main sleeping area was the living room but he'd spend some time sleeping outside my sisters room and sleeping between my own and my parents room, his guarding instinct was very strong.

[CAINE]

Kinda brightens your day when you hear these things and relate them to the stuff your does with you.

[chloebobs]

My Golden Retriever Bonnie did ALL of these. Unfortunately she passed away on 10th November 2021 from liver cancer, how I'll live without her I'll never know. Sleep tight Bonnie Xxxx

[missgrinch]

It hasn’t even been a month yet and my newly adopted rescue has displayed all of these signs. I love him so much and he has helped me immensely with my depression and anxiety. Dogs make life so much better! 😊❤️

[KotdwarsehuBC]

Thank you for all those who help rescue and / or have rescued animals ❣️🌸🙏

[mascara]

I came home last night and my dog couldn't find a toy to bring me, so she brought me a shoe! It was so cute.

[katerinatourlitis]

When I lay down to go to sleep, my dog makes sure he touches a part of me. Till this day if I don't feel him I can't sleep. .

[pepergirl]

My beloved Sam did all of these, eighteen years with him and he passed away September 10th of 2021 due to cancer. He was a Schnauzer mix. I miss him dearly, couldn't sleep for the first few weeks without him, kept looking to my sides expecting him to be there because he was always there and still tear up from time to time thinking of him.

My brother talked me into adopting recently so now I have Aloy a fourth month old husky mix she likes getting belly rubs, she's also biting everything in her sights, but that's part of being a puppy