For humans, Valentine’s Day tends to focus on candy, flowers, and big gestures. But if you ask a dog what love means, it looks a little different. For dogs, love is safety. It’s predictability and connection. It’s the familiar sound of your keys in the door and the rhythm of your daily routine. So what does love feel like to our dogs? Let’s discuss.
Love Is Presence
Research on canine attachment shows that dogs form secure attachments to their caregivers, similar in some ways to how children bond with parents. A study published in ScienceDirect found that dogs’ brains show increased activity in reward centers when they smell their owner’s scent, indicating emotional attachment (Berns et al., 2015). Love, to them, is you.
How To Show Presence to Our Dogs
- Sit on the floor with them at their level
- Offer calm, focused petting (not distracted scrolling)
- Maintain soft eye contact paired with a soft tone
Love Is Predictability
Dogs feel safest when life is predictable. Feeding times, walks, bedtime routines; these rhythms communicate stability. The ASPCA notes that consistency reduces anxiety and helps prevent behavior issues rooted in stress.
How To Show Predictability to Our Dogs
- Keep walks and meals on a steady schedule
- Avoid sudden, unexplained long absences; hire a professional dog walker or pet sitter to cut down on alone time
- Provide clear, consistent cues and structure
Valentine’s Day tip: Instead of a sugary-themed dog treat overload, consider gifting your dog something they truly value: time outside, a longer sniff walk, or a training refresh session.
Love Is Physical Connection (on Their Terms)
Some dogs crave full-body snuggles. Others prefer sitting beside you rather than on you or touching you. Respecting dogs’ individual comfort zone is a powerful form of love.
Healthy touch lowers stress hormones in both humans and dogs. Slow strokes along the chest or shoulders can be especially calming. If your dog leans in, relaxes their body, or sighs? That’s their way of inviting physical connection and, in their own way, expressing love.
How To Show Physical Connection to Our Dogs
- Watch your dog’s body language; relaxed muscles, soft eyes, leaning in, or a gentle sigh are signs they’re enjoying the interaction
- Respect their comfort zone; not every dog wants full-body hugs or constant snuggling
- Honor how they prefer to connect, rather than forcing physical affection
Love Is Mental Engagement
A bored dog isn’t necessarily an unloved dog, but mental enrichment strengthens bonds. Training, puzzle toys, scent games, and exploratory walks tell your dog: I see your needs, and I want to help you fulfill them.
Dogs were bred to work, explore, and solve problems. Giving them outlets for those instincts builds confidence and trust. It also helps dogs feel at ease, combats anxiety, and reduces stress.
How To Show Engagement to Our Dogs
- Try a new trail on the CT Shoreline
- Practice a new trick together
- Incorporate sniff-based “decompression” walks
- Schedule a play date for your dog where you and your human friends facilitate fun, safe play
Love Is Advocacy
Perhaps the deepest form of love we can offer our dogs is advocacy: protecting their wellbeing, choosing appropriate social settings, and saying no to situations that overwhelm them. Recognizing that not every dog enjoys crowded gatherings, not every dog thrives at daycare, and not every dog can handle hours left alone at home is love. Loving them means honoring who they are, not who we wish they were.
How To Show Advocacy to Our Dogs
- Feed them the best food you can afford
- Invest in pet care from a professional, not a hobbyist or neighbor
- Provide daily exercise
- Discuss prevention and wellness with your veterinary team and follow through on recommendations
What Does Love Feel Like to Our Dogs?
This Valentine’s Day, love doesn’t have to be flashy. To your dog, it’s simpler than that.
- It’s showing up.
- It’s listening to their body language.
- It’s keeping promises.
- It’s creating a life where they feel safe, engaged, and understood.
- It’s allowing them to be dogs while meeting their biological needs.
And the beautiful thing? When we give dogs that kind of love, they give it right back; tail wags, soft eyes, and a whole lot more.
The Best Dog Walkers in the CT Shoreline
We are currently accepting new clients for our dog walking and dog hiking adventure services. We will start accepting sign-ups for The Doggie Adventure Bus once we have a clearer idea of the service and routes. Don’t forget to participate in our survey to voice your input!
New Shoreline Happy Paws clients can create an account. We will be in touch to further discuss your needs and set you and your family up for success. Existing clients, please book services by logging in to your client profile.
We serve the following areas of the Connecticut Shoreline:
- Old Saybrook
- Essex, Ivoryton & Centerbrook
- Deep River
- Chester
- Westbrook
- Clinton
- Old Lyme
- East Lyme
- Niantic
Certain Parts and Certain Service Hours in:
- Lyme and Madison
- Waterford, New London, Groton
- Uncasville, Gales Ferry, Mystic, Noank
