Amanda Teixeira
You belong to me – Dogs are usually very focused on their owner and love them unconditionally. Nevertheless, you have to work out the love of your dog and the bond with him. Read here how you can strengthen the bond with your dog and your dog will love you even more!
Dogs are loyal companions and always at their owner’s side. Nevertheless, a strong bond and trust between human and dog must first be built and then strengthened again and again. This does not happen overnight, but requires long-term, species-appropriate handling of the dog, knowledge of its behavior and a lot of activity and time. The following tips will help you strengthen the bond between you and your dog.
1. Playing together connects
Playing together strengthens the bond between man and dog. Because that way you spend a lot of intensive time with your dog, which also has a lot of fun with it: positive experiences weld together.
Conversely, if your dog has few or no such experiences with you, he will realize he can have more fun without you and will also try to get his own way.
There are a number of things you can try to find out which game your dog likes best. Playing around without toys is often enough. Then the contact to your dog is even closer.
2. Rules keep dogs safe
Dogs need clarity and rules in their everyday lives. The owner must be predictable for his dog, because that creates security and trust for the dog. This is achieved through unambiguous and clear rules by which he can orientate himself.
In addition, your tone of voice and body language should match what you are trying to convey to your dog. If you give commands, the tone of voice and body language should always be the same, otherwise this will confuse the dog. Regular feeding, walking or playing times can also help to give the dog structure and security.
3. Respect in dealing with the dog
Respect and respect is probably one of the most important points in the relationship between humans and dogs. Treat him with love and respect his needs. This includes, for example, finding the right balance between activity and rest. In addition to exercise and attention, a dog also needs many rest periods during the day. You should definitely give him this.
Respect is also particularly important when playing and training. Find out what your dog likes and what he can do. Because he should be neither over- nor under-challenged during games and training.
Also, if your dog is of a specific breed, you should be careful to consider the specific needs of that breed. Because the interests and activities of dogs vary greatly from breed to breed. For example, there are dogs that love water, like to follow tracks, like to fetch, guard the house or need a lot of exercise. Therefore, by all means, allow your dog to occupy himself in the way that is typical for his breed.
4. Learn to understand dog language
In order for it to be possible to offer the dog both rules and respect, communication is essential. However, dogs speak their own language, which they express primarily through their bodies and their behavior.
It is therefore important that you deal extensively with dog language and pay close attention to what your dog wants to say to you. By playing together or doing other activities, you will get to know your dog’s language and behavior even better. In this way you avoid communicative misunderstandings that stand in the way of a strong bond between dog and human.
5. A sense of achievement with the dog
Similar to people with each other, common (successful) experiences also connect people and dogs with each other. This can be, for example, long, extensive adventure walks in unknown places or hikes where you discover the path together and ultimately master it.
Training together can also be a sense of achievement, as long as it is carried out with respect and communication between human and dog works. If you become impatient or angry when your dog does not understand or execute a command, this cannot be a basis for trust.
6. Protection builds trust
Love arises above all when trust is involved. When your dog knows he can trust you, his love for you will grow, too. In addition to aspects such as clear rules, respect and communication, you can also gain your dog’s trust by proving it to him in stressful situations and by protecting him.
If, for example, a situation arises during a walk in which your dog visibly feels uncomfortable or afraid because of other people, dogs or noise, you can solve the situation for him. For example, you can stand protectively in front of him, talk to people or dog owners, or leave noisy places as quickly as possible. Even if you have visitors and your dog just wants to be left alone, ask your visitors not to pet the dog. This way your dog will know that he is safe with you by his side.