You are correct about not being in God's image but it is one of God's creatures. Suggest you check out youtube video of military dogs at the gravesides of their fallen masters.
There was a dog in Japan that went to the train station for years after its master had died. They put up a statue to the dog.
I have had many dogs and yes some loved me for food but there were others that just loved me no matter what. Weren't “looking” for anything except to be loved in return. Believe it or not your dog may have affection for you beyond that Beggin strip. Just my impression of owning dogs for over 50 years.
It’s called patterning. I helped a friend do it when their VERY retarded son was born. We moved his arms and legs to get his brain used to patterns. It was a lot of work but it worked. Shockingly well, actually.
I believe my dogs, like people, are creatures of habit. It’s why a person that has lived with the same person for decades can be very saddened, even if they didn’t really like the person (or the person was abusive). And I do believe my dog has affection for me, btw. Just not at the human level. It’s brain is just not that complex, though he can fake it sometimes.