Do dogs know that when you kiss them, it is a sign of love and affection?

I agree that to a dog, its name is just another word that means people are referring to it. I'm sure they figure out that a kiss means love because it is paired with petting, a higher, gentler voice, smiles, etc. To keep your dog healthy as long as possible, for medium and large breeds 7 means it's time to start anti-inflammatory supplements like fish oil and glucosamine, to fight the development of arthritis. Make sure there is no gum or dental disease. By 9, it's a good idea to have a blood chemistry done annually. This may catch problems with liver and kidneys early enough to be able to treat them successfully.