How Dogs Say Thanks
“Dimitri of Madrid,” painting by Ken Gorczyca, DVM.
Gratitude between humans and dogs is based on the bond we have together. Every year, new studies find that animal companionship and the human-animal bond are some of the more powerful forces in nature. Our canines are as ready to show appreciation and return kindness to us as we are to them.
This kind of gratitude was especially evident during the height of the COVID pandemic when we were all self-isolating at home with our dogs or other animal friends. If we went out even briefly, we always returned to find a grateful and happy pooch.
We love our dogs, and they seem to reciprocate. But how sure are we that dogs genuinely feel gratitude, love, or other positive emotions? In the past, behaviorists observed canines to understand their manners and antics, but this only showed us their actions, not their feelings.
We can’t really ask a dog what they’re feeling or thinking - or can we? Today, modern technology using brain scans offers scientists a deeper understanding of what our dogs are experiencing. And yes, they’ve found that our canine companions do experience emotions similar to the ones we feel as humans.
But do dogs specifically experience gratitude? Absolutely. Here are some of the ways that our dogs thank us every day.
Smiling. Yes, dogs do smile. Try giving your pup a belly rub and watch their facial expression change with delight.
Kisses. Licking another dog or human face is normal social behavior for dogs. Licking your face (akin to a human giving kisses) is one way dogs show their love and gratitude to you.
Tail Wags. Tail wagging is one of the most distinct ways dogs communicate with us and with other dogs. When a dog is happy, he holds his tail in a neutral or slightly raised position and adds a healthy wag. Some might argue that animals do not feel emotions at all - but that’s a hard argument to win when faced with the whole-body wag of a dog greeting his owner after a long (or not so long) absence.
Barks and Squeals of Delight. Our dogs’ vocal language of woofs, barks, yaps, growls, yelps, snarls, howls, or yodels can have many meanings. Dog guardians become very tuned into their dogs’ vocalizations, which can include laughter, play, and delight.
Sleeping with you. Dogs show their gratitude just by staying close to their guardian. How often do they jump into your lap or nuzzle your knee? Many lucky dogs are allowed to sleep in bed with us humans, providing closeness, warmth, and security.
Looking at you. They say the eyes are the window to the soul, and we can learn a great deal about how a dog is feeling by looking into their eyes. Soft relaxed eyes and a relaxed body indicate a calm, happy dog, revealing love and gratitude.
Snuggling. Although not all dogs like to receive hugs, most do. Some dogs are even known to hug their guardians back. How often does your dog jump on your lap or snuggle close to you?
Including us. Dogs live in the present. They boisterously enjoy the world around them with all their senses and they want us, their human companions, to be part of their adventures. Our dogs get us out of the house and on walks. They slow us down when life becomes overwhelming. They know what we really need.
Research shows that nearly everything about canine companionship increases endorphins in both humans and dogs, helping to reduce pain, relieve stress, and improve mood. While our dogs may not be able to say thank you in words, they do so with a happy bark or squeal, or with all the big and little ways they interact with us and bring us joy. The way dogs express their thanks provides love, pleasure, and good health to us and to the dogs themselves.
And if, after all this, you still doubt that dogs experience gratitude, just watch this clip of a dog being rescued from a cold, loud, dangerous truck stop into the warm, safe care of a loving person. If that isn’t canine gratitude, I don’t know what is.