This One Sweet Habit Means Your Dog Feels Safe With You

Our relationships with our pets are extra-special and many dogs wear their hearts on their sleeves. The overt displays of affection, like happy greetings at the end of a long day of work are one of cutest signs a dog trusts you and loves you. But dogs can also give subtle signs that they feel safe with their owners, though recognizing those comfort signs can be hard since dogs communicate different than people do. That’s why we’re sharing the one surprising habit that means your dog feels safe with you, according to a trainer.

Krissy Spero, a professional dog trainer with The Dog Wizard, emphasizes the importance of knowing how dogs show they feel safe and comfortable. “As pet parents, we can play a huge role in assuring dogs of their safety, building their confidence and importantly, strengthening those levels of trust,” shares Spero.

Understanding these dog trust signs and safe behavior cues is key not only to deepening your bond with your pet, but also to creating a calmer, happier environment for your pup. By paying attention to even the quietest habits, you can better support your dog’s sense of security and strengthen the trust between you.

The Surprising Habit That Means Your Dog Feels Safe With You

A dog who is comfortable with its owner.Getty Images Orbon Alija

How can you tell if your dog truly trusts you? One subtle, telling sign is when a dog sleeps on or next to their owner. This sweet habit is a powerful dog trust sign and a clear indicator that your pup feels safe with you. “In the animal kingdom, animals won’t rest and relax next to another being they don’t trust,” Spero points out. “So, when your canine companion is sleeping on or near you, it can signal that they’re mirroring pack behavior and they’re seeking warmth and connection.”

By choosing to sleep close, your dog is essentially saying they see you as a trusted pack member. “They’re confirming that they feel secure with you,” Spero adds. “Some of the ways that you become familiar to your dog include through scent, breathing, and even your heartbeat. These are all powerful, soothing factors for them.”

Trust is a cornerstone of any relationship, and the human-canine bond is no exception. It’s also vital for helping your dog feel confident and be the best version of themselves. “In the human world, trust encourages feelings of safety and confidence,” Spero explains. “The same is also true for our canine friends. We all know what a wonderful companion a happy, confident dog makes. Dogs that don’t feel that critical level of trust will exhibit stress-induced behaviors such as reactivity, anxiety or even aggression.”

That said, Spero points out that sleeping near you isn’t always a sign of trust. “If your dog sleeps on or near you but growls when someone enters the room,” she says, “they may be guarding you rather than relaxing. Confident and trusting dogs will often continue sleeping while life goes on around them. In these cases, they’re signaling alertness rather than comfort.”

By paying attention to these dog trust behaviors and safe behavior cues, you can better understand your dog’s emotional state, reinforce their sense of security, and strengthen the bond you share.

If Your Dog Doesn’t Sleep Near You, Does It Mean They Feel Unsafe?

While sleeping on or near you is a quiet habit that shows your dog feels safe with you, the absence of this behavior doesn’t automatically mean they feel unsafe. Some breeds naturally value more value more solo time, and others may have specific sleep preferences—much like humans. Spero recommends getting curious about your dog’s habits.

“Does your dog prefer a cool floor? Do they have a space or dog bed they love the comfort of?” she asks. “Ultimately, distance doesn’t automatically equal distrust. Sometimes distance simply equals comfort.”

Not sleeping near you can also sometimes indicate stress or discomfort. “It’s important to be mindful of their behaviors while sleeping,” Spero explains. “If they seem hyper-alert or react quickly to noises rather than resting calmly, the chances are they’re not relaxed and don’t feel fully confident.”

Even if you aren’t the cause of their stress, you can often be part of the solution by creating a calm, safe environment and paying attention to dog trust behaviors and safe behavior cues.

Other Signs Your Dog Feels Safe With You

Sleep proximity isn’t the only quiet habit that means your dog feels safe with you. Keep your eyes out for these other clues that your dog considers you a secure base.

1. They Depend on You

Dogs may not always expect the unexpected. However, a dog who feels safe with you will show signs that they trust you to handle it. “For instance, if there’s suddenly a loud noise or someone suddenly opens an umbrella, they’re unlikely to react with fear,” Spero explains. “Instead, they’ll watch your response as a way of trusting your judgment. They’re choosing to cue off your emotions instead of handling the situation alone. It’s a huge sign of trust.”

2. They Show Their Silly Side

Dogs who feel safe with you will show you all of their personality. “Zoomies, playful antics, dramatic rolls, goofy bows or jumping around with total abandon are all signs they feel secure,” shares Spero.

While some of these specific signs your dog feels safe and sound with you aren’t so subtle, sometimes they can still be overlooked. “From a survival standpoint, play is a vulnerable state,” Spero explains. “Animals do not play when they feel unsafe. So when your dog lets loose and shows pure joy, they’re saying, ‘I feel safe enough to let go.'”

3. They Share Their World with You

“A dog who feels safe, will share their world with you,” Spero explains. “They will bring you toys, they relax when you walk near their food or chew, and they don’t feel the need to guard their belongings. They trust that you won’t take things away from them or make them defend what’s important to them.”

In other words? You’re a soft spot and a hard line all rolled into one. “They live comfortably within your home and respect the structure you set because it feels predictable and fair,” Spero adds.

How To Help Your Dog Feel Safe

Dogs don’t automatically feel safe with just anyone—you need to earn their trust. Building that sense of security strengthens the human-canine bond and encourages your dog to be confident, relaxed and happy.

Below, Krissy Spero shares her top three tips for helping your dog feel safe, comfortable, and fully confident in your presence.

1. Teach Them the ‘Language’ of Your Home

Words matter—even to dogs. “Dogs feel safe when they understand what your words mean and when you are consistent,” Spero explains. “Let your words have weight, so when you say ‘Play’ or ‘Snuggle,’ you really mean it every time.”

Dogs don’t just learn the words—they notice the actions and routines that follow. “Over time, this shared language becomes a map they use to understand the world,” Spero says. “When dogs know what to expect, they feel secure.”

By teaching your dog the language of your home, you’re helping them interpret daily life with confidence, reinforcing dog trust behaviors and the sense that they are truly safe with you.

2. Give Them Clear Expectations

Consistency is key for dogs. By setting clear expectations, you provide your dog with a predictable environment that strengthens dog trust behaviors and reinforces that they are safe, secure and confident with you. “Dogs don’t thrive in chaos or unpredictability,” Spero reports. “They feel safer with someone who is consistent, gentle and fair. Show your dog what the expectations are inside the house, outside, at the park and around new people. When they know the rules and see that you uphold them kindly, they relax into the structure.”

3. Build Independent Confidence

Crate training often gets a bad rap, but when used responsibly, it can help your dog feel safe and secure

“You can teach your dog—in positive and balanced ways—to feel relaxed and protected in their crate even when you aren’t right next to them,” Spero notes. “You should give them crate time while you are away and while you are home, too, so it becomes a restful space, not just a place they go when you leave. Over time, this teaches them to feel secure both with you and independently.”

Even with this independence, don’t be surprised if your dog still chooses to sleep near you—or sneak into your lap for a nap. Providing a safe space while also encouraging independent confidence helps reinforce dog trust behaviors and a healthy sense of security.

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This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Dec 15, 2025, where it first appeared in the Dogs section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.