Bonding With a New Dog  

It is important to make sure that you and your dog’s relationship is the strongest and best that it can possibly be. Always think about the message that you are sending your dog as well as your tone and nonverbal cues. Dogs and humans do not speak the same language, so it is important to be very clear and direct verbally and non-verbally.

One of the biggest struggles when it comes to communication is consistency. You should try to be as consistent as you can with your commands, nonverbal cues, and training rewards. It is important to have a solid foundation! Emotionally, know when to give physical positive reinforcement. Dogs are much like humans in that they need touch and interaction to feel loved and secure. Each dog is a little different. You will have to get to know what is best for you and your dog. For example, some animals love to cuddle with their owners and never leave their side. Other dogs may do their own thing.

Learning about your dog is a great advantage. Once you know about their cues, behaviors, likes, and dislikes, training and life with your dog becomes a lot easier! Pay close attention to physical traits and posture, stance, and how their tail and ears sit. If something is stressing your dog out, do your best to remedy the situation at first hand. This will help establish trust along the way.

Finally, love your dog like they love you. Your dog gives you so much unconditional love and you need to do the same for them. Overall, keep doing what you are doing and evaluate your daily routine. See if there are more ways to show your dog how special they are to you. Always remember to have fun and shower them with love, laugher, and lots of hugs and kisses!