Decoding the Canine Heart: Understanding Your Dog’s Love Language

Kerrie Jean
6 days ago
3 min read

This Valentine’s Day, while you might be planning a special dinner or picking up some flowers for the humans in your life, there’s another relationship worth celebrating. It is the one with your four-legged best friend.

At Tucked Inn, we spend our days and nights getting to know the unique personalities of every guest that walks through our doors. We’ve noticed that dogs, much like us, have very specific ways of showing affection.

By identifying your specific dog love languages, we can help you decode exactly how your pup says "I love you" and how you can say it back in a way they will actually understand.

1. Physical Touch: The Lean of Love

Does your dog constantly press their body against your legs while you’re making coffee? Or perhaps they’re a "velcro dog" who needs to have at least one paw touching you at all times.

The Sign: Leaning on you isn't just about balance. It is a sign of complete trust and a desire for security.
How to reciprocate: Try a slow, intentional massage or a long scratch in that hard-to-reach spot behind the ears. Avoid the frantic patting on the head, which can actually be a bit overstimulating for some dogs.

2. Quality Time: The Sniffari

For many dogs, love isn't about the destination. It is about the journey, specifically the smells along the way.

The Sign: Your dog checks in with you frequently during walks, or simply chooses to nap in the same room where you’re working.
How to reciprocate: Take them on a "Sniffari." Instead of a brisk walk for exercise, let them lead the way and sniff to their heart’s content. Letting them use their nose is one of the best ways to provide mental enrichment and show you value their interests.

3. Words of Affirmation: It’s All in the Tone

We’ve all seen the head tilt. While they might not know the difference between "taxes" and "treats," they are masters at reading your vocal frequency.

The Sign: A frantic tail wag or a "play bow" the moment you use your happy, high-pitched dog voice.
How to reciprocate: Use a soft, melodic tone when praising them. Studies actually show that dogs respond more to the way we speak than the specific words. A genuine "good dog" in a warm tone can be more rewarding than a biscuit.

4. Receiving Gifts: The Toy Presenter

Does your dog greet you at the door with a soggy tennis ball or their favorite plushie?

The Sign: Bringing you a toy isn't always a request to play. Often, it’s a gesture of sharing. They are presenting you with their most prized possession as a gift.
How to reciprocate: Engage with the gift! Acknowledging the toy and spending five minutes in a gentle game of tug or fetch tells them you appreciate their offering.

5. Acts of Service: The Routine Seekers

Dogs find immense comfort in structure. To a dog, a predictable routine is a form of care.

The Sign: Your dog waiting patiently by their bowl at exactly 5:00 PM, or sitting by the door when it’s time for their evening walk.
How to reciprocate: Keep your promises. Maintaining a consistent schedule for meals, exercise, and rest, like their stays here at Tucked Inn, reduces their anxiety and shows them they can always rely on you.

For the Multilingual Families (The Cat Siblings!)

If you are a household that speaks both Dog and Cat, you already know the languages are quite different. While your dog might show love by leaning against your legs or licking your face, your cat has a much subtler way of sending a Valentine. It is known as the Slow Blink.

If you see your cat staring at you and slowly closing their eyes, they are not actually tired. They are telling you they feel safe enough to let their guard down in your presence. Modern animal behaviorists often call this a "cat smile" because it signals pure trust. You can even try doing it back to them as a way of saying "I love you" in their own language. It is the feline equivalent of a warm hug. And if they ever bring you a gift, even if it is just a toy mouse from under the couch, remember that in their world, they are simply making sure their family is well-fed. It really is the thought that counts.

Whether your dog is a cuddler, a gift-giver, or a professional napper, we hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day celebrating that unconditional bond.

We look forward to seeing your pups for their next stay!

~ The Tucked Inn Team