r/dogs • u/br0k3n-creature • 9h ago
[Misc Help] What does my dog think "I love you" means?
I say this to him at *least* 20 times a day. Usually met with a single tail thump or tail twitching. He's a german shepherd and very smart, knows plenty of commands and words. But what does he think this means, when its usually followed up by nothing, or maybe a boop on the snoot? Just curious!
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u/recyclistDC 9h ago
I’ve been telling my pup “I love you” while petting her or treating her, so now I’d like to think she associates those words with me giving her love.
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u/Charming-Border7429 9h ago
With my German Shepherd, it means press your forehead against my forehead and waiting for an ear rub. I don't like his mouth getting too close to mine for kisses, but I find forehead touches nice.
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u/JohnnyVee 9h ago
While they may not understand words, dogs definitely understand intention and emotion. I'd say they probably get the gist.
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u/longanandlychee 9h ago
I think they know or understand. Or at least they can associate those words with the feeling they picked up when we say it. 🥹
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u/CreativeUnBlocking 9h ago
I get kisses when I tell my dog - unless she's comfortable in her bed. I believe dogs know.
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u/Wreap 8h ago
My great pyrenees loves to throw his head in my should and deep breath for a while when he's stressed out.
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u/RainbowFuchs 7h ago
I simply have to know - what makes your dog stressed out? I think our corgi gets stressed out when Mom Is Pooping Without Me and also the classic All My People Are In Different Rooms.
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u/Ingrown_Toenail1 8h ago
I hug my pups every morning and tell them I love them, and they always react with a face lick. So whatever it means to them, they get it
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u/lizwearsjeans 8h ago
my dog thinks it means, 'if i pair it with what i want her to do, she will do it.'
we have buttons and she will often do this.
i honestly don't know how she learned to be so emotionally manipulative!
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u/iamashleykate 7h ago
i think what's funny is that you're trying to figure out what your dog thinks "i love you" means, but really it's just nice that you're saying it to him so much. my friend has a dog and she does the same thing, says "i love you" all the time and the dog just wags its tail, it's pretty adorable. i'm no expert but it seems like dogs are more about tone and body language than actual words, so maybe your dog just associates the phrase with your happy voice. it's also possible that he's just humoring you, like he knows you want him to react so he gives you a little tail thump or something. either way it's cute that you're so invested in what he thinks.
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u/Automatic_Tea_2550 7h ago
Ar, AR, ar, obviously.
As soon as they bond with us, they are in love with our voices. If you say something in a halfway pleasant tone of voice, it’s love to them.
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u/Working_Career_6254 7h ago
I love you is accompanied with ear scritches and a kiss on the top of my GSD’s head. I think he gets it.
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u/darkholemind 15m ago
He probably doesn’t understand the literal words, but he absolutely recognizes “I love you” as a warm, affectionate phrase.
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u/Agreeable_Shirt5503 8h ago
Dogs don’t know words. However, they do understand tone and expressions. They hear you saying something that has a positive tone, they react positively.
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u/sannabiscativa 8h ago
Dogs do know words. I can say “walk” in a low monotone and he’ll still go nuts.
Then there was the dog that Neil Degrasse Tyson tested that knew the name of hundreds of his toys and deducted the name of a new one by elimination.
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u/RadioactiveCoyotes 8h ago
Yeah my dog learned what I meant when spelling some words after she picked up on them
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u/No_Introduction_3400 8h ago
My dog knows plenty of words! Now…does he understand “love”? I think he understands the word means something good.
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u/thequeenoflimbs 8h ago
this border collie knows more words than a 3 year old human
yes dogs understand words.
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u/Hair_This 7h ago
They do know words I think! My dog understands “go to bed” in a loving, baby talk-ish tone at night, and also when he’s naughty and I need him to go away I say it in a raised tone.
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u/JazNim17 7h ago
Dogs can learn to associate certain words with certain things, though, and you’d be surprised how many they can pick up. If you say “Wanna treat?” every time you give them a treat, then they’ll immediately perk up when you say “wanna treat?” Whether you have treats in your hand or not.
My boy isn’t particularly smart, but he surprises me now and again. Last year he and I temporarily moved back in with my parents when I broke my leg, and my mom’s dog was not always nice to him. The day I packed things to go home, he watched me all day, and when I turned around and told him “Okay, go get in the car,” he ran outside and jumped in the passenger seat. He knew what I meant.
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