While staring down a dog in a forceful manner will spark aggression, when a dog gives you long, lingering eye contact, it’s a way of saying “I love you.” A recent study shows that oxytocin, the ‘love chemical,’ goes up in both dogs and humans when they share a kind gaze.

When a dog loves someone, they often raise their eyebrows—the left one more than the right—so greeting your dog with raised eyebrows and a relaxed smile tells your dog how happy.

Dogs rely on facial expressions and body language to communicate. The better you understand how your dog feels, the better you’ll be able to empathize and bond with them.