By Wigglestail Animal Sanctuary – Algarve, Portugal
If you live in the Algarve and share your life with a dog — or are thinking about adopting one — you’ve probably asked yourself:
“Am I giving my dog the love they really need?”
At Wigglestail Animal Sanctuary in southern Portugal, we work with dogs who have been abandoned, misunderstood, or mistreated. And one thing we’ve learned is this:
Real love isn’t about spoiling. It’s about making your dog feel safe, seen, and respected.
Whether you’ve just brought home a rescue or you’ve had dogs for years, this guide is here to help you show love in a way your dog actually understands.
Read along to find out How to Show Your Dog You Truly Love Them.
1. Love Starts With Respecting Their Language
Dogs don’t speak Portuguese or English — they speak body language.
They show us what they’re feeling… if we know how to read it.
What to look for:
- A wagging tail isn’t always happiness — look at the speed and posture.
- Yawning, lip licking, and turning away = “I’m uncomfortable.”
- Forcing cuddles, kisses, or petting when they walk away breaks trust.
👉 Real love = giving them space when they ask for it.
2. Routines Are a Love Language
Dogs are pattern-seekers. They feel safe when they know what to expect.
Try this:
- Walks around the same time every day
- Meal routines they can rely on
- A predictable bedtime and calm evenings
This is especially powerful for rescue dogs, who often come from chaotic pasts. Structure = security = love.
3. Enrichment > Entertainment
Most dogs don’t need more toys. They need to think, sniff, and solve problems.
In the Algarve’s warm climate, mental stimulation is especially important when outdoor exercise is limited by the heat.
Enrichment ideas:
- Snuffle mats and frozen lick mats
- Cardboard box treasure hunts
- Scent games using local herbs (like rosemary or lavender!)
- Slow, sniff-filled walks — not just “heel” obedience
These activities don’t just prevent boredom — they build confidence, reduce anxiety, and deepen your bond.
4. Let Them Be a Dog
Love doesn’t mean turning your dog into a furry human.
It means:
- Letting them bark sometimes — they’re communicating.
- Letting them roll in sand or mud — it’s joy, not mess.
- Letting them choose who to greet — not every dog wants attention.
Dogs aren’t meant to be perfect. They’re meant to be themselves.
5. Adopted Dogs Give a Different Kind of Love
Here in the Algarve, hundreds of amazing dogs wait in sanctuaries like Wigglestail Animal Sanctuary for someone to give them a chance.
Adopting a dog — especially an older one or one with a difficult past — creates a kind of love that’s deeper than words.
- Puppies love you because you’ve always been there.
- Rescue dogs love you because you changed everything.
They don’t just need a home — they need healing. And when they begin to trust? It’s unforgettable.
👉 Download our Adoption & Foster Application Form Here
Cheat Sheet – Want a quick-reference guide you can print, save, or share?
We’ve created a free downloadable cheat sheet that breaks down all the key ways to love your dog in a way they understand — from body language to enrichment ideas.
👉 Download It Here – just leave your email address
It’s perfect for:
- New adopters
- Longtime dog lovers
- Families with kids
- Algarve locals looking to improve their dog’s wellbeing
🐶 Can’t Adopt? You Can Still Help
If now’s not the right time to adopt or foster, you can still make a life-changing difference.
Sponsoring a dog at Wigglestail Animal Sanctuary helps cover the cost of food, vet bills, and enrichment — giving that dog stability while they wait for a home.
🏡 Why Wigglestail Matters (Especially in the Algarve)
Wigglestail Animal Sanctuary is based right here in the Algarve, Portugal — helping abandoned, scared, or misunderstood dogs get a second chance.
We believe in gentle care, honest rehabilitation, and letting dogs be dogs — not polished showpieces. If that’s your kind of love, we’d love to welcome you into the Wigglestail family.
Final Thought
Love isn’t loud.
Love is patient. Consistent. Grounded.
Love is understanding that what you enjoy doing for your dog isn’t always what they need most.If you’re ready to love better — adopt, sponsor, or just learn more — we’re here.