Whether a puppy has just become a part of your life or you have rescued a dog from your local animal shelter, this is an exciting time in your life. While you probably hope the dog immediately will fall in love with you and every member of your family, forging that important bond can take some time. Here are some tips to help you bond with your new furry companion.
Your dog cannot speak, but they can communicate in their own way. Look for clues from your dog as to whether they are scared or feeling stressed out. A dog that is cowering or has their tail tucked between their back legs is probably feeling afraid, but sometimes flattening their ears, pacing and destructiveness all can be signs of fear or distress. A dog in new surroundings can become scared easily, as they just don't know what to expect in this new environment. During the first days and weeks, use a very calm and soothing voice and give them opportunities to slowly warm up to you. Be sure to provide plenty of praise to your new friend. If you are patient and calm, you will find that your new dog probably will warm up to you fairly quickly.
In many ways, dogs are like children and they tend to feel content and secure when there is a set daily schedule. Creatures of routine, dogs memorize when it is time for a daily walk, when it's feeding time and when it is playtime. In the beginning, a simple schedule can increase your dog's level of comfort. While you probably cannot stick to a schedule 100 percent of the time, try to keep a schedule in place as much as possible. This also is a big help when it comes to housebreaking.
Provide plenty of time for fun and play. Dogs and humans need exercise, so get out there with your pet and have some fun. Take a nice long daily walk or run around in the back yard throwing a favorite toy. A high-energy dog might also enjoy learning Frisbee tricks or taking on agility training. Other dogs are perfectly happy if you toss a toy or ball across the room a dozen or more times. Playing together definitely can increase your bond.
Surprisingly, obedience training offers a great opportunity for bonding. You might think your dog won't enjoy training, but for your dog, training means you are spending time together, and there is usually a lot of praise involved with training, which dogs adore. Your well-trained dog will be happy because he knows what type of behavior is expected and well-trained dogs rarely get scolded, so this alone makes it easier for you to forge that bond.
When searching for a dog training program, it can be wise to use a DVD dog training system because this is easier to fit into your schedule. Check out a program such as The Dog's Way, which includes a dozen step-by-step lessons, as well as helpful reminder cards, a workbook that corresponds to each lesson and access to a student-only website with additional training videos. As with any program, the main keys to success are patience and consistency. It takes some time to train, but in the end you will have a dog that you will truly enjoy and that will be well trained enough to take almost anywhere. The more quality time you spend with your dog, the better your bond will be.
Your dog cannot speak, but they can communicate in their own way. Look for clues from your dog as to whether they are scared or feeling stressed out. A dog that is cowering or has their tail tucked between their back legs is probably feeling afraid, but sometimes flattening their ears, pacing and destructiveness all can be signs of fear or distress. A dog in new surroundings can become scared easily, as they just don't know what to expect in this new environment. During the first days and weeks, use a very calm and soothing voice and give them opportunities to slowly warm up to you. Be sure to provide plenty of praise to your new friend. If you are patient and calm, you will find that your new dog probably will warm up to you fairly quickly.
In many ways, dogs are like children and they tend to feel content and secure when there is a set daily schedule. Creatures of routine, dogs memorize when it is time for a daily walk, when it's feeding time and when it is playtime. In the beginning, a simple schedule can increase your dog's level of comfort. While you probably cannot stick to a schedule 100 percent of the time, try to keep a schedule in place as much as possible. This also is a big help when it comes to housebreaking.
Provide plenty of time for fun and play. Dogs and humans need exercise, so get out there with your pet and have some fun. Take a nice long daily walk or run around in the back yard throwing a favorite toy. A high-energy dog might also enjoy learning Frisbee tricks or taking on agility training. Other dogs are perfectly happy if you toss a toy or ball across the room a dozen or more times. Playing together definitely can increase your bond.
Surprisingly, obedience training offers a great opportunity for bonding. You might think your dog won't enjoy training, but for your dog, training means you are spending time together, and there is usually a lot of praise involved with training, which dogs adore. Your well-trained dog will be happy because he knows what type of behavior is expected and well-trained dogs rarely get scolded, so this alone makes it easier for you to forge that bond.
When searching for a dog training program, it can be wise to use a DVD dog training system because this is easier to fit into your schedule. Check out a program such as The Dog's Way, which includes a dozen step-by-step lessons, as well as helpful reminder cards, a workbook that corresponds to each lesson and access to a student-only website with additional training videos. As with any program, the main keys to success are patience and consistency. It takes some time to train, but in the end you will have a dog that you will truly enjoy and that will be well trained enough to take almost anywhere. The more quality time you spend with your dog, the better your bond will be.
About the Author:
Garrett McMahan enjoys watching dog show. For further info about how to train a dog on a leash, or to discover dog training DVDs online, please check out the The Dogs Way website today.
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