Building trust in dogs doesn’t happen by doing one thing. Building trust happens over time. Daily routines, regular, predictable care for your pet and interacting consistently will help build this type of relationship. Dogs can’t say “I trust you” as we do as people. However, they show us they have trust through behaviors (habits), body language and even small behavioral changes that occur over time.
Recognizing these signs helps owners understand the connection they share with their pet and also what type of environment their pet feels safe in.
Relaxed Body Language Around You
One of the best ways to tell if your dog has developed trust is through relaxed body language. Your dog should be able to relax around you. That means your dogs muscles aren’t tight and stiff; the ears are at a normal/neutral position; the tail isn’t tucked in nor stiff; and when sleeping near you, they’re sleeping comfortably (exposing belly, lying on their side, etc). When a dog feels comfortable enough around you to relax completely, it shows that there is no reason to stay on guard.
Choosing to Stay Close
If your dog chooses to be close to you without feeling forced to do so, this could mean they’ve developed some form of trust. Some examples would include following you from room to room, hanging out next to you when you are working or relaxing. This behavior is not just about dependency. This is an indication that your dog feels safe and comfortable in your presence. Not every dog needs to be physically touching their owner constantly. Many times, simply wanting to be in the same area is a good indicator that they feel emotionally secure.
Soft Eye Contact and Facial Expression
Dogs that have a trusting relationship tend to display relaxed behavior through their eye contact. They tend to use softer and calmer eye contact versus the wide, alert stare seen in a stressed dog. Their facial muscles are typically relaxed and they do not exhibit muscle tension around their mouth or forehead.
Some dogs will establish brief periods of eye contact followed by gentle looks away. This is not an indication of the dog avoiding you; instead, this type of communication is an example of the dogs comfort level and familiarity.
Willingness to Show Vulnerable Positions
One of the most effective behaviors in demonstrating whether a dog trusts you is when the dog shows you that which would normally need to be guarded; namely, the underside of its body (belly) or the sides of its neck.
It doesn’t necessarily mean the dog desires physical contact from you. It means, however, the dog has enough faith and/or security that it can allow itself not to protect those areas. If a dog sleeps on its back, stretches out completely while you are watching, rolls over while playing, etc., it is likely to be a small indicator that the dog perceives you as non-threatening and is thus able to relax in front of you.
Calm Response to Handling
When a dog demonstrates trust in its handler through its behavior in response to being touched/handled, one key element is evident. A dog that has developed a trusting relationship with a handler will typically allow for gentle examinations of the paws, ears, body, etc. without reacting by pulling away or exhibiting obvious stress signals. As long as grooming, petting or other routine activities involving touching are done gently, the dog will accept them calmly. This same calm trust is what allows a dog to stay relaxed during a routine visit to a pet hospital Dubai, where handling by an unfamiliar vet can otherwise trigger stress.
Seeking Comfort During Uncertainty
Dogs frequently seek out trusted people as an outlet for their uncertainty or stress. Examples of this could be the result of loud noises, unfamiliar places or situations, etc. A dog who feels comfortable around you may exhibit behaviors such as moving closer to you, leaning on you or staying near you while experiencing some type of unfamiliar experience.
These actions indicate the dog is emotionally reliant upon you and recognizes the familiarity and comfort provided by your presence versus being fearful of the event/experience itself.
Gentle Play Behavior
Trust can also be seen through the ways in which dogs interact while playing with their owners. When interacting while playing, a trusting dog may display relaxed body language, gentle mouth use and show controlled levels of excitement. In addition to displaying these types of behaviors, a dog that relies on its owner may begin the interaction (initiate) or show positive responses to cues that indicate it should begin again if stopped.
Importantly, there should be little or no tension present in these types of interactions. For example, even during periods where both parties are showing high levels of energy, a dog that has a trusting relationship with its owner should be able to rapidly settle down once the interaction ends.
Comfortable Alone Time with Reconnection
A dog that has developed a trusting relationship with its owner may spend quiet time away from the owner in another room, yet remain relatively calm.
Upon returning, the owner is likely to receive some form of acknowledgement from the dog, indicating recognition without any indication of anxiety or stress. A balance of independence and attachment is one key factor in determining a dogs level of emotional security.
Predictable Behavior Around Routine
Trust in dogs is generally tied to predictability. In general, dogs that are trusting of their environment and their owner seem to adjust well to their daily routine.
Dogs that are trusting may remain calm while waiting for food; they may follow a regular schedule and appear to understand/anticipate the daily events/patterns within their home without stress.
A passive behavior would suggest an absence of active trust; however, this type of behavior suggests a self-confidence that the owners needs will be consistent.
Subtle Emotional Synchronization
As dogs build trust with their owners over time, often develops a subtle mirroring of emotions. They can become even less energetic when the owner appears relaxed or more attentive when something unusual occurs. A mirrored emotional state represents the strength of a bonded relationship through the process of observation/familiarity.
Conclusion
There is no one definitive way that dogs express their trust in their owners. There are many subtle ways in which a trusting dog expresses its trust. Its relaxed posture, its willingness to approach you voluntarily, its calmness during the course of physical contact (e.g., petting), and its sensitivity to changes in your mood all reflect an atmosphere of security and confidence.
Understanding the expressions of trust from our dogs allows us to develop further insights into how they perceive safety and connection with the humans who surround them.
