Key signs your dog has bonded with you and loves you more than anyone else

Every dog ownerwants their dog to love them unconditionally - which is why it's such a pain that we'll never truly know what they think about us.

But the team at Dogs Trust have shared the five major signs your dog has bonded with you and considers you to be their favourite person.

It comes as a dog owner asked on Reddit: "What are some signs your dog is truly bonded to you? Both anecdotes and indications backed by scientific evidence are welcome."

In response, one user said: "This is no scientific method but whenever I woke up and say good morning in the house, he will run to me with his tail wiggling, no matter if he was eating or sleeping. if that's not love, I don't know what is."

Another user said: "The full on butt wiggles, not just tail wags when you get home. So cute!"

A third user said: "I've been sick and banished to a spare room for a week and my dog won't leave my side."

One more user said: "Mine takes my shoe or flip flop and walks around with it trying to get me to chase him. He doesn't destroy or chew on them, it's just his way of telling me he wants my attention."

Another user added: "For my dog; I think his temperament around me is an indication. His calm times are with me, in our house, and he's stressed and tense (usually very mild stress) around other people and dogs. I'll add his behaviours that seem protective of me to it too."

According to the experts at Dogs Trust, there's five signs your dog loves you and has bonded with you in a powerful way.

A statement reads: "People love their dogs and often wonder if their dogs love them back. There's no scientific way to truly tell. We know dogs bond with their owners.

"Studies show that in the presence of people they know dogs release oxytocin, a hormone linked to positive emotional states such as love and friendship. We also know dogs miss their owners when they're away.

"On that basis, it's possible to say dogs can be strongly attached to their owners. Here are five signs that your dog is strongly attached to you."

They say relaxed eye contact, tail wagging, lying near you, excited greetings and lots of licks are all unmistakable signals of affection.

Speaking about eye contact in more detail, a statement reads: "Eye contact can mean many things, but strong eye contact or staring is uncomfortable for dogs. It can make them worried or feel threatened.

"Compare how awkward and uncomfortable you can feel when someone stares at you. It's the same for dogs.

"When your dog looks at you with soft, relaxed eye contact, that means they trust you. And, it could be argued, trust is the highest form of love you can receive from your pooch."