You adopted a dog because you were excited to experience the type of companionship dog owners rave about. So far, it feels like you live with man’s begrudging acquaintance, rather than man’s best friend. Should you expect that your connection will grow naturally over time, or is there something you can do to foster it? We’re here to share some tips on how to bond with your dog, so let’s dive in.
Create Safety Through Consistency
Before you can really start to bond with your dog, you need to help them feel safe in their new home. Regardless of the life they came from, they’re probably feeling a little (or a lot) guarded as they try to adapt to you and your lifestyle. The best thing you can do is make your life together as predictable as possible, and that requires consistency.
For example, stick to a meal schedule so your dog starts to trust that their next meal is always coming. Do the same for walks, playtime, and bedtime, and you’ll start to notice more ease in no time.
Do What Your Dog Loves
As you increase your dog’s sense of safety and build reliable rhythms in her life, you’ll probably also start to notice a shift in her personality. She may start to show her goofier side or try to engage you in play. Take note of the activities she gravitates toward when she’s feeling happy so you can engage in those activities more often.
For example, maybe your dog seems more animated on certain walking trails. Try to hit those trails and find more like them when you have plenty of time, like on weekends or after work. That way, you can stay present with her in her joy without feeling like you’re rushing to get to the next part of your day.
Learn When to Give Your Dog Some Space
A big part of building a strong bond with your dog is knowing when to back off. Dogs are pretty good at telling you when they want to engage and when they don’t, but it takes some practice to really learn their body language.
Start by paying more attention to your dog’s gaze. A soft gaze with her head turned towards you is typically a green light for pets and snuggles. If you approach her and she looks away or turns her head, she may be asking for a little alone time (or at least a little space).
Engage in Positive Reinforcement Training
Some owners mistakenly believe that training and rule enforcement will only make their dogs resentful. The reality is that as long as you’re using positive reinforcement techniques (rather than harsh punishments), your training efforts will bring your dog closer to you.
Training helps your dog to better understand what it is that you want from her. Good communication is the most important component of any bond. Need a little help getting started? Find out how ADU’s dog training programs can help today.
