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.
Dogs might not be able to talk, but they have their own special ways of communicating and as the dog owner, you need to pay attention to their behavior so that you can figure out how your dog is feeling. If your new dog has the tail tucked down, ears back or cowers from you, these are signs of timidity or fear. Sometimes a scared dog will pace or even chew up things, and certainly they are uncertain about any new environment. Try to use calm, soothing tones during their first few days in your house and be very gentle and calm. Let them come up to you and make the first move, and provide gentle praise when they head over to sit with you. It takes time to build trust, and especially with rescue dogs, you need to be especially patient.
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.
Playtime provides you with yet another opportunity to bond. Dogs love to play and go for walks, and this is simply fun time that you spend together. When your dog realizes they will have fun with you, this will make it easier for them to bond with you and the family. In addition, dogs need exercise and some breeds need a good amount of exercise. For a dog with high energy, you could eventually even try out agility training or another dog sport. However, every dog benefits from some level of exercise and play.
Dog training is important for several reasons, and not only will you end up with a highly obedient dog, the time you spend together while training helps the two of you get to know each other better and this builds trust. A patient owner who remembers to praise when the dog completes a task successfully will have a very happy pet. Dogs want to please their owner and they want to spend as much time with them as possible, and proper obedience training is a great way for them to bond with you.
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.
Dogs might not be able to talk, but they have their own special ways of communicating and as the dog owner, you need to pay attention to their behavior so that you can figure out how your dog is feeling. If your new dog has the tail tucked down, ears back or cowers from you, these are signs of timidity or fear. Sometimes a scared dog will pace or even chew up things, and certainly they are uncertain about any new environment. Try to use calm, soothing tones during their first few days in your house and be very gentle and calm. Let them come up to you and make the first move, and provide gentle praise when they head over to sit with you. It takes time to build trust, and especially with rescue dogs, you need to be especially patient.
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.
Playtime provides you with yet another opportunity to bond. Dogs love to play and go for walks, and this is simply fun time that you spend together. When your dog realizes they will have fun with you, this will make it easier for them to bond with you and the family. In addition, dogs need exercise and some breeds need a good amount of exercise. For a dog with high energy, you could eventually even try out agility training or another dog sport. However, every dog benefits from some level of exercise and play.
Dog training is important for several reasons, and not only will you end up with a highly obedient dog, the time you spend together while training helps the two of you get to know each other better and this builds trust. A patient owner who remembers to praise when the dog completes a task successfully will have a very happy pet. Dogs want to please their owner and they want to spend as much time with them as possible, and proper obedience training is a great way for them to bond with you.
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 more info about how to train a dog on a leash, or to discover dog training DVDs online, please check out the TheDogsWay.com website today.
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