2025 Vet Insight: 6 Clear Signs Your Dog Truly Trusts You 🐶❤️

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

Hello! I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc, veterinarian and founder of Ask A Vet. Love is built on trust—and dogs show their trust in meaningful, yet sometimes subtle, ways. Let’s dive into six core behaviors that let you know your dog feels safe, secure, and bonded with you.

1. Relaxed Eye Contact 👁️

Dogs that meet your gaze with soft, sustained eye contact demonstrate trust and emotional connection. Studies confirm that eye-to-eye gazing boosts oxytocin in both parties. This open eye contact shows they see you as a safe leader—not a threat.

2. Exposing the Belly

When a dog rolls onto its back and shows its belly, it’s putting itself in a highly vulnerable position. According to canine behaviorists, this signals that they trust you completely.

3. Sleeping Nearby

Sleeping—or simply resting in the same room or on your bed—indicates your dog feels secure. In the wild, pack members sleep close together for safety. If your dog chooses proximity to you even during rest, that’s trust.

4. Bringing You Their Toys 🎾

Offering you their favorite toy is a powerful act of trust. It shows they want to engage and share something personal and valuable with you. This behavior goes beyond play—it’s emotional openness.

5. Leans and Stays Close

Does your dog lean against you or follow you from room to room? This physical closeness is not just affection—it’s a display of trust and dependence on you for protection and connection.

6. Responds to You Calmly

A dog that checks in with you when nervous—like in a new place—shows they see you as their emotional anchor. They look to you for reassurance and guidance.

How to Strengthen Trust 🔗

• ✔️ Use positive reinforcement for training and praise
• ✔️ Respect body language and boundaries
• ✔️ Spend quality time on walks, play, or quiet together
• ✔️ Maintain consistency—meals, routines, gentle handling

Building trust requires patience and positive reinforcement. Recognize and encourage these behaviors to grow your bond.

Bonus Signs: Hidden Trust Signals

• Loose, rhythmic tail wags when you enter the room ;
• Relaxed body posture—soft ears, loose limbs ;
• Bringing you random items (leaf, sock) as “gifts” ;
• Calm behavior near you, even in stressful situations (thunder, fireworks).

FAQs ❓

Q: Can a dog lose trust?

Yes. Trust must be maintained—negative experiences or inconsistent handling can erode it quickly.

Q: Do all trusted dogs allow belly rubs?

Not necessarily—it's a sign of deep trust, but some still prefer a back rub.

Q: Is tail wag always a friendly sign?

Mostly yes—relaxed, right-biased wag with loose posture = positive emotion.

Ask A Vet Support & Bonding Tools

The Ask A Vet app supports your relationship by offering:

• 24/7 vet chat to address behavior concerns
• Training guides and trust-building exercises
• Calming aids and enrichment toys from Woopf and Purrz
• Behavior progress trackers and milestone reminders

Final Vet Insight 🏁

Trust isn't just a feeling—it's a relationship built on safety, understanding, and shared respect. Watch for these six trust signs in your dog, respond with patience and love, and you'll nurture a bond that enriches both your lives every day. 🐾❤️