Having a small dog comes with its own unique challenges, but humans who are lucky enough to have one of these petite pups can agree that it also comes with plenty of rewards. Small breeds are more portable, less expensive to feed, and more apartment-friendly than their larger cousins…and just like any kind of dog, it doesn't take long for them to become our entire world! But even though we know how much we adore our dogs, it can sometimes be hard to tell if they really love us back, or if they just pretend to so we give them a few more treats.
We've already shown you some of the ways that big dogs express their love towards their humans, but little dogs can have their own special ways of telling us how much they adore us. They might have little bodies, but there's a lot of affection that can build up in there…and sometimes, it comes out in unexpected ways. For example, this itty bitty Chihuahua bonds with his human by joining in on his yoga sessions, and it's too cute for words! Even if your dog doesn't like working out with you, don't despair — there are lots of ways our furry friends express their feelings for us.
If you have a little dog, you need to see all the ways they show you their love. Sure, they might not be as clear as a verbal, "I woof you," but if you pay close attention, you'll discover that your best friend feels the same way for you as you do for them!
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1. They protect you.
Little dogs are often known for thinking they're a lot bigger than they actually are, but it's still a powerful statement of their love when they step in front of you to try to defend you from a dangerous threat like the pizza delivery boy. If your little dog gets a big sense of bravery when they think you're at risk, you can be sure that they adore you.
2. They let you carry them.
When you're itty bitty and adorable, you have to expect that people are going to want to pick you up and carry you around with them. Still, though, we can only imagine how frustrating it must be for little dogs to have no say in the matter. If your pup tolerates being toted around, it's a pretty clear sign that they love you enough to consent to being swept off their feet all the time.
3. They aren't scared of being near your feet...
Can you imagine how terrifying it must be to constantly be staring up at a bunch of creatures whose feet could easily crush you? If your little dog trusts you enough to be near your feet even when they know the damage a single misstep could do, you should feel honored.
4. ...And they forgive you if you accidentally trip over them.
Mistakes happen to the most careful of us, especially if your petite pooch happens to be standing right behind you when you close the refrigerator door. If we accidentally step on a paw, we can expect our dogs to yelp and run away, but if they come back to you soon after, don't worry — their love for you is tough enough to withstand such a mistake.
5. They get excited to go on walks with you.
Those of us with short legs know that it isn't easy to keep up with our long-limbed friends when we take a stroll, so just imagine how tough it must be for our little dogs to move their little legs when we go on walks with them. I guarantee it's quite a workout! But if your canine companion still jumps for joy whenever they see you get their leash, it's a good indicator that spending time with you is worth getting a serious workout.
6. They sleep next to you (or on you).
Tiny dogs have the luxury of being able to snooze in very small spaces, so if they forgo all that extra room at the foot of the bed to snuggle up next to you, it's a sure sign that they want to be near you even in their dreams.
7. They let you put clothes on them.
Not everyone agrees with putting cute outfits on dogs, but many smaller breeds have thin skin and coats that can leave them chilly in the winter without an extra layer to protect them. You can imagine how confusing it must be for a dog to be wearing clothes (especially when they have some rather interesting designs), but if your pup allows you to dress them up without too much fuss, it means that they're willing to go through just about anything for you.
8. They play with you.
It's no secret that dogs love to play, so you should feel honored when your little guy or girl chooses to partake in their favorite activity with their favorite human!
9. They lick you.
Few things can bring happiness to a dog owner like the feeling of a tiny tongue against your face, and for good reason: Just like humans, dogs show their affection by giving kisses. If you're the lucky recipient of some canine smooches, it's because your little one just can't keep themselves from showing how much they adore you.
10. They sit on your lap.
For tiny dogs, just about anything can serve as a chair. If your pooch decides that your lap is the best place to relax, it's because they trust you and see you as your protector…or because you have really comfortable legs.
11. They jump on you.
Most of us don't exactly like it when our dogs jump on us, no matter how small they are. Still, if your dog does disobey and jump on you, you should at least know that it's because they love you. After all, when your dog is way down there and you're way up here, jumping up is the only way they can think of to get as close to you as possible!
12. They follow you around.
You may look and act a lot differently from your dog, but it doesn't mean they don't see you as their pack leader. If you constantly feel like you have an adorable little shadow no matter where you go in your house, it's because your doggy not only loves being around you, but also respects and trusts you.
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