Okay, last time we determined that Acts of Service was probably not the love language of most dogs. There are 4 remaining love languages, again, according to Gary Chapman: Gifts, Words of Affirmation, Physical Touch and
Quality Time. I have taken it upon myself to see how they apply to dogs. My quest to determine my own dogs’ love language continues.
Today, we examine how gifts can make our dogs feel loved. The nice things about dogs is that they won’t pretend to like something to avoid hurting your feelings. If your dog likes the gift you brought him, its usually obvious. The same is true if he thinks it’s the worst thing in the world. You will know. Some dogs really like gifts. My dogs do have preferences for what types of gifts they enjoy though. Tennis balls are a big hit with my Goldendoodle. Reindeer costumes at Christmas time not so much. Little stuffed animals are loved (she shows her love for it by destroying it however) while a new food bowl goes by sadly unnoticed (unless there's food in it!) She doesn’t care about bling, new clothes or accessories (think new pink leash). New treats are always a hit with both my dogs though! I use this “love language” daily in my physical rehab practice. I dole out high-value treats readily if your dog will step onto the balance disc or do a doggie squat.
Is this their primary love language though? Is that what makes them feel loved more than anything else? Perhaps, but I don’t think this is what bonds me to my own dogs. Using treats is a form of bribery (although I prefer the word “motivation”) in my line of work and I’m sure some dogs feel very loved by these “gifts”. But next time, we’ll explore perhaps a few more ways that dogs love to be loved!
Quality Time. I have taken it upon myself to see how they apply to dogs. My quest to determine my own dogs’ love language continues.
Today, we examine how gifts can make our dogs feel loved. The nice things about dogs is that they won’t pretend to like something to avoid hurting your feelings. If your dog likes the gift you brought him, its usually obvious. The same is true if he thinks it’s the worst thing in the world. You will know. Some dogs really like gifts. My dogs do have preferences for what types of gifts they enjoy though. Tennis balls are a big hit with my Goldendoodle. Reindeer costumes at Christmas time not so much. Little stuffed animals are loved (she shows her love for it by destroying it however) while a new food bowl goes by sadly unnoticed (unless there's food in it!) She doesn’t care about bling, new clothes or accessories (think new pink leash). New treats are always a hit with both my dogs though! I use this “love language” daily in my physical rehab practice. I dole out high-value treats readily if your dog will step onto the balance disc or do a doggie squat.
Is this their primary love language though? Is that what makes them feel loved more than anything else? Perhaps, but I don’t think this is what bonds me to my own dogs. Using treats is a form of bribery (although I prefer the word “motivation”) in my line of work and I’m sure some dogs feel very loved by these “gifts”. But next time, we’ll explore perhaps a few more ways that dogs love to be loved!
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