Ever wondered if your dog can actually tell when you love them? The answer is… amazing. YES — in their way, dogs really can smell that you love them.
Here’s why: When we feel affection, connection, or that warm, fuzzy feeling we call love, our body releases oxytocin — often nicknamed the love hormone. It’s the same chemical that helps mums bond with their babies, and the same one that rises when we cuddle, gaze into our dog’s eyes, or even talk in that slightly embarrassing “baby voice”.
Now here’s the magic: Dogs have an insanely powerful sense of smell — we’re talking up to 100,000 times better than ours. That means they can detect tiny changes in our scent caused by emotional or hormonal shifts, including rises in oxytocin.
So when you’re feeling all mushy over your dog — heart full, eyes soft, voice gentle — your body chemistry shifts, and your dog’s super-nose picks up on it. And get this: studies show their oxytocin rises too when they see or cuddle with you. It’s a full-on feedback loop of love.💞
They might not know the word “love,” but they absolutely feel it, smell it, and respond to it. Which means every time you show your dog affection — with kindness, eye contact, calm energy — they know. They really do. And they love you right back.
Can Dogs smell when you are angry?
Yep. They really can.
Just like dogs can smell love, they can also sense your stress, frustration, or even anger — before you say a single word.
When we’re upset, our bodies release cortisol and adrenaline — the same chemicals that flood us when we feel under attack. Dogs smell these changes. They see it in our face, feel it in our energy, and hear it in our voice.
To your dog, that rising tension doesn’t say, “I’ve had a long day.” It says: “The world’s not safe right now.”
They don’t need shouting or punishment to feel scared — just your stress is enough.
The good news? Calm, kindness, and even a deep breath help both of you. Your oxytocin rises, theirs does too. And the connection stays strong.
Choose calm over conflict.
Connection over control.
And remember — your dog isn’t giving you a hard time…
They’re having a hard time.
So go ahead, smell like love today. Your dog’s already soaking it in. Emma Goulding-Bosworth is a specialist Dog Behaviouralist based in Surrey. Get in touch to discuss your dog training needs.