WAYS TO STRENGTHEN A STRONG BOND WITH YOUR DOG

Your pet runs when you come home and snuggles up to you on the couch every night. You are bound for life! However, you can do more to strengthen the bond between pet and owner and strengthen your relationship with your pet.

1. USE FOCUSED QUALITY TIME

It's not always the time spent with the dog that matters, but the quality! Dogs are social animals and enjoy being with their families the most. Quality time is key to your relationship with your dog. When you spend time with your dog, try to be fully present and give it your full attention. Put down the phone, turn off the TV and focus on enjoying the moment with your dog. You will quickly find that this focused time helps strengthen your bond.

2. KEEP A REGULAR SCHEDULE AND CONSISTENT ROUTE

Dogs are creatures of habit and structure, so they know what to expect, which helps them feel comfortable and safe in their environment and builds trust. A consistent routine that includes feeding, walking, potty, playtime and bedtime can help your dog settle down.

In addition to a regular schedule, consistent rules (like being allowed on the furniture) will help you know what to expect and relieve the stress of not knowing what to do

3. GET ACTIVE TOGETHER

Going for a walk or jog with your dog is great canine bonding exercise to stay active and physically fit! Exercise is also a great way for you and your dog to burn off some extra energy and explore the outdoors - learning about new sights and smells. Keep your time together interesting and mix up walks in your neighborhood or visit a new park.

4. TRAINING SESSIONS

One-on-one training with your dog is a great way to bond with your dog and help them become the best dog they can be. With positive reinforcement such as treats and praise, most dogs find training fun and positive.

Every dog ​​needs to learn the basics like sit, stay, down and come. But personal training can be used to help dogs succeed in many other areas! In addition to training the basics, you can learn fun tricks with your dog, such as shaking or falling. You can also teach them advanced movement skills, such as bending over while walking, handling distractions, and greeting guests at home. If you need help with advanced or specialized training, find local trainers in your area.

5. REGULAR PLAYTIME TOGETHER

This is one of our favorite ways to bond with your dog. Even if it's just 10 minutes a day, add fun and strengthen your relationship with one-on-one games! Whether your dog enjoys fetch, doing puzzles, running through the sprinkler, catching frisbees, tug of war or finding hidden treats, the possibilities for having fun with your dog are endless. Your dog will appreciate the extra fun time spent with you!

6. COMMUNICATION IS KEY

Clear, consistent and positive communication is an important part of building a strong bond between dog and owner. Use consistent words for commands and pay attention to your emotions and energy when communicating with them. Dogs tune into our emotions and energy and respond to our body language. In general, we recommend using a calm, steady and positive voice when talking to your dog. When we use an excited tone or energy, your dog is usually very excited and motivated to do something you want him to do.

7. LEARN TO READ BODY LANGUAGE

Dogs communicate a lot through their body language. By watching them closely and paying attention to their behavior, you can alert your dog to their emotions and strengthen the dog-human bond.

Are they excited, nervous, happy, frustrated, or something else? By listening to them, we can adapt to their needs to help them get what they need. If you need more help reading dog body language, we recommend checking out Dr. Sophia Yin's training materials.

8. WORKS THROUGH ATTACHMENT AND GATHERING TRUST

Contact with human dogs is mutually beneficial and a great way to bond, reduce stress and anxiety for both. If your dog likes physical touch, try giving him a gentle massage or scratching his chest. Accustoming pets to physical touch helps them feel comfortable when they meet other people, such as family members, vets or caretakers.

Pets should be petted in a relaxed, gentle and slow manner. Usually, dogs prefer to rub them on the chest, shoulders or neck in the direction of hair growth. Avoid reaching over the dog to pet him and avoid hugs, as hugs can make many dogs uncomfortable. For many dogs, reaching for the dog's face can be seen as a threatening gesture.

Some dogs are more affectionate than others. Be careful when meeting strange dogs, as not all dogs are sensitive to attention from new people. Every dog ​​is different, so be aware of their body language. If they move away from you or show signs of stress (such as pinning their ears, yawning, or licking their lips), let them be. If your dog approaches you relaxed and wobbly, maybe he's interested in some extra love and attention.

9. GIVE HIM HIS SPACE

Giving your dog his own safe space can help build his trust in you and boost his self-confidence. As fun as it is to spend time with dogs, sometimes they need a break. Dogs are cave animals, and many enjoy having a space in a quiet room to retreat and relax, such as a crate or a cozy dog ​​bed. Their safe space allows them to escape alone for a moment to rest or deal with stressful situations such as thunderstorms, fireworks, parties or new babies. Their safe space should always be easily accessible.

10. Routine, routine, routine

Dogs thrive on a consistent schedule. By creating a routine together, they know what to expect from you and when, which only increases their trust in you. Plus, they learn what's expected of them, and we all know dogs love to make their owners proud!

Also be consistent in your interactions with them. Stick to teaching words they already know to clear up misunderstandings. Our dogs want to know exactly what we want from them.

Your dog may like a quick pat on the head here and there throughout the day. However, remember that you are intentionally spending time in physical contact with your pet. For example, if your dog is a cuddler, join him on the floor for some quality cuddle time.

Intentionally pamper and pay attention to what your dog likes best. They may love ear scratches or belly rubs, but they find their favorites and spend time together cuddling.