7 Cute Signs That Prove Your Dg Has a Heart of Gold

Dogs have the innate ability to channel Cindy Lou Who in How the Grinch Who Stole Christmas and make our hearts grow three sizes simply by being themselves. There’s something about sweet dogs that can make a person smile and feel good when they are around their furry best friend.

“Dogs are one of the world’s most cherished companions,” Shannon Kenny, CPDT-KA, a professional dog trainer with Woofz, a puppy and dog training app. “They are loyal, playful, silly, smart and so loving. “Sharing a home with one of these dogs is absolute joy because their enthusiasm is contagious, and they can make anyone feel special.”

So, what makes a dog kind and caring? Unlike a person who may be Grinch-like, dogs don’t need a Cindy Lou Who-style character to act big-hearted. They just need their owner. “Dogs that feel safe and secure enough in their environment are likely to be ‘big-hearted,'” explains Kenny. “A confident, comfortable dog that has their needs met will have the space to show affection, happiness and devotion,” Kenny explains.

And show you, these pups will. However, recognizing how a dog shows love and “talks” to you can be a little hard. That’s why Kenny is sharing seven cute behaviors that prove your dog has a big heart. These are examples of how dogs communicate, dog personality traits and what their body language means, which can help you see the adorable signs that your dog loves you and cares for you. After all, once you know how your dog shows affection, it’ll strengthen your bond even more.

7 Behaviors That Prove Your Dog Has a Big Heart

A dog being affectionate with its owner and showing they love them.

1. Friendly greetings

One of the most well-known dog behaviors that proves your pup has a big heart and is a sign your dog loves you is their self-appointed role as your home’s welcoming committee. “A big-hearted dog greets those with relaxed body language—soft eyes, a gently wagging tail and loose, wiggly body language,” Kenny explains. “They’re likely going to be able to approach with curiosity, confidence and excitement.”

2. Willing and happy cooperation

Another trainer-approved dog behavior that means your dog is showing affection? Being responsive. Dogs who are loving will generally follow their owner’s lead and listen very well no matter if they are a big dog or a small dog.

“A ‘big-hearted dog’ listens to cues without fear,” Kenny shares. “When you ask them to ‘sit’, ‘come’, or ‘stay’, they respond with enthusiasm.”

If you notice this cute dog habit, make sure you tell yourself, “Good job!” as this is a loyal dog behavior. “They’ve learned that communication with you leads to good things—not pressure or punishment,” Kenny points out. “This trust-based cooperation is the foundation of a healthy human-canine relationship.”

3. Relaxed vibes

We generally think of dogs who are kind in terms of the joy they bring—often with those aforementioned happy greetings. So, this dog personality trait may come as a surprise, as according to professional dog trainer Kenny, one of the strongest signs your dog loves you and cares for you might actually be something much calmer.

“To me, a ‘big heart’ in dogs isn’t about being overly affectionate or constantly people-pleasing,” Kenny says. “It’s more about security, confidence and trust,” Kenny clarifies. “When dogs know they’re understood and respected, they’re more likely to act as a calmer, friendlier and more loving companion.”

A chill dog who settles easily fits this bill to a T because it shows deep emotional trust and bonding with their owner. “Possibly the clearest sign of a content, well-adjusted dog is their ability to relax,” Kenny says. “After play or training, they can curl up and rest easily. They may even lean in close to you to seek comfort in your proximity or just enjoy your presence.”

4. Desire for closeness

Speaking of closeness, kind dogs have adorable ways of showing their love and affection (even if it means following you to the bathroom). This type of clingy dog behavior is often misunderstood, but according to trainer Kenny, it’s one of the sweetest signs your dog loves you and feels truly bonded.

“When your dog follows you around the house from room to room, it’s likely because your presence is comforting—not because they’re just clingy,” Kenny says. “Dogs are social animals, meaning that they typically prefer the comfort of others. Though this is a natural behavior, it’s often seen as something that a dog with a ‘big heart’ would do. Personally, I really enjoy the sentiment.”

5. Playing nice with others

Kenny says thoughtful dogs with huge hearts display good social skills during playtime as well, noting that these pups often show great dog social skills, friendly body language, and positive play behavior with both dogs and humans.

“Dogs that play well with others often display self-control and empathy in the way that they bow to initiate play, take turns and pause when things get too rough,” Kenny explains. “This can apply to play with you or with other dogs.”

Kenny reports that respectful play with humans isn’t about dominance to these dogs, contrary to popular belief. “In reality, it shows that the dog is confident, socially aware and comfortable navigating interactions,” Kenny reveals.

6. Mid-walk check-ins

Of all the behaviors that show your dog loves you and thinks you’re their whole world, this one might be the absolute sweetest—and easiest to miss during your daily walks. “When your dog glances back at you during a walk or adventure at the park, it can be a great sign that they find comfort in you or just feel safe enough with you to look away from their surroundings,” Kenny says. “It can also be indicative of the strong bond that you’ve built together.”

These mid-walk check-ins are one of the most heartwarming examples of affectionate dog behavior—proof that your pup values you as part of their pack and feels secure enough to explore while still keeping you in sight.

7. Resource sharing

Sweet dogs aren’t possessive—they don’t hoard. Instead, one of their dog behaviors and how they communicate love is by sharing.

“One big sign that a dog can openly trust and love their people is their choice to be close while in possession of something that they consider ‘high value,'” Kenny says. “If a dog seeks their person out to lie next to them and chew their favorite bone, or they feel comfortable dropping their favorite toy to play, they’ve definitely got a big heart and a lot of trust.”

Even something as simple as sharing a prized chew toy is a subtle but powerful sign of your dog’s loyalty and love. So, while you may not have considered that bone gift “high value”—now you know it’s a sign that the majority of your loving dog’s big heart belongs to you.

Source:

Shannon Kenny, CPDT-KA, a professional dog trainer with Woofz, a puppy and dog training app

This story was originally reported by Parade Pets on Nov 9, 2025, where it first appeared in the Dogs section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.