Are you seeking ways to deepen your bond with your dog? Building a profound relationship with your dog doesn’t require grand actions and gestures. Often, the most significant gestures are small, born from a base of genuine love and respect for your furry friend.
Why should the bond with your dog matter so much? The answer is straightforward: a strong connection ensures both parties involved a happier, more wholesome, and engaging life.
You can foster this relationship by indulging in a plethora of straightforward activities like:
- Establishing eye contact
- Complimenting your dog
- Physical contact
- Training sessions
- Imparting a new skill
- Snuggling
- Devoting undivided attention
- Engaging in playtime
- Understanding canine body language
- Maintaining a calm demeanor
- Offering special treats and a balanced diet
The following expands on these points, shedding light on the numerous ways to strengthen the bond with your dog daily.
How To Strengthen Your Relationship with Your Dog
Sustaining Eye Contact
Reflect on your own tendencies regarding eye contact. While eye contact can often be perceived as threatening in the broader world, within a loving bond, it stands as a symbol of trust and affection. Maintaining eye contact might be challenging if you feel anxious or intimidated. But when you trust and respect someone, you will likely hold their gaze. The same applies to dogs.
Eye contact triggers the oxytocin system. Oxytocin, a hormone activated in both humans and dogs during friendly interactions and moments of safety and comfort, is the same chemical released during nursing in mother dogs (and humans!).
Research from Japan confirms that when you gaze at your pet, chances are they’re already looking back at you. Maintaining eye contact is one of the most effective ways to strengthen your bond.
Commend Your Dog
Dogs respond well to praise – scientific research confirms this. Many dogs value compliments more than they do treats.
You’re reinforcing your bond by giving your dog opportunities to make you happy. Recognizing their good behavior with praise significantly strengthens your connection.
Connect Through Touch
Just as eye contact enhances your bond, so does touch. It’s a direct channel of communication between you and your dog.
Dogs generally stay closer to the people they are attached to. Your dog receives real-time feedback about their well-being from you, just as you do from them.
Feeling the resting heart rate of a relaxed dog can provide an immense sense of comfort. Your dog is likely already reaching out to you, perhaps by extending a paw or leaning against you. Such physical contact helps both of you stay in sync with each other. Reciprocating such gestures can significantly enhance your bond.
Train Your Dog
Even if your dog has already mastered basic commands, revisiting your positive reinforcement training can deepen your bond.
Providing your dog with a sense of purpose, like reviewing commands such as ‘sit’ or ‘stay’, reinforces their existing knowledge and preps them for learning new skills. Plus, it’s a great way to spend quality time together.
Teach A New Trick
Following the above point, why not consider trick training? If your dog is already obedience-trained, teaching them a new trick can be a fun way to spend time together.
Enjoy Cuddle Time
While research suggests that many dogs aren’t fans of “hugs,” it doesn’t imply they dislike physical affection. In reality, showing affection is among the most critical bonding activities you can share with your dog. If your dog seeks out physical contact, leans, snuggles, or even welcomes hugs, it clearly indicates they feel deeply bonded to you. You can strengthen this bond by engaging in daily quality time with your dog, including plenty of gentle strokes.
Remember, every dog is unique; some may not be as affectionate as others. Be attentive to their preferences, show affection on their terms, and you’ll see your bond flourish.
Give Undivided Attention
If your dog actively seeks your attention, whether they want to play, sit near, touch, cuddle, or be around you, it’s a sign they are attached to you. Giving your dog your complete focus (yes, this means setting your phone aside) will enhance your bond, regardless of the circumstances.
Consider what your pet is trying to communicate during these moments. Spending reflective time considering your pet’s emotional and physical needs through periods of focused attention can provide opportunities to learn about your pet, build mutual trust, and strengthen your bond.
Remember, this incredible bond is reciprocal and can be traced back to the origins of dog domestication. We thrive with others who are interested in us and look out for and care for us.
Play And Have Fun
Play is one of the most critical behaviors across all species. Engaging in play stimulates our neurological processes, triggering not just the release of oxytocin but also minimizing stress-related chemical reactions in the brain, such as the production of cortisol. These are bonding tools.
You can enhance your bond with your dog simply by engaging in games like fetch, tug-of-war, or hide-and-seek. Consider adding twists to these classic games to keep it fun and exciting for both parties.
Consider trying a sport such as agility training, dock diving, or skijoring, where you and your dog can function as a team.
Understand Your Dog’s Language
Dogs are constantly communicating with us. We need to learn their language.
Just like humans, dogs have complex emotions. They have their ups and downs. Understanding your dog’s body language can provide insight into their feelings most of the time. When you can discern if your dog is excited, content, or stressed, you can adjust your behavior accordingly. This enhances their sense of safety and trust in your relationship.
When your dog exhibits a behavior you’re unsure about, view it as a learning opportunity. What are they trying to tell you?
Stay Composed
Remember how touch is vital in the bond with your dog? Similarly, dogs can sense your mood simply by being near you or through your scent and sounds. Your dog’s behavior may vary depending on the signals they receive from you – whether you’re calm, stressed, or anxious.
To strengthen your bond, lean into the mental and emotional benefits your pet offers to help regulate your mood. Take a moment, breathe deeply, take your dog for a walk, and remember, your dog’s ultimate desire is for you to be content. Their quality of life is inherently tied to yours. With your dog by your side, you’re never alone.
Enhance Your Pet’s Meals
Food is an expression of love! Aim for nutritious protein sources with minimal fillers, and try to include homemade or fresh meals for your dog. Make mealtime a bonding activity by incorporating eye contact.
An easy way to express love through food? Incorporate delicious and nutritious additions or blends into your dog’s regular feedings. While treats are great, you need to be mindful of potential weight gain.
How Do You Know If Your Dog Is Bonded to You?
Having learned several ways to cultivate a strong bond with your dog, how can you recognize if your efforts are paying off?
Here are some signs that your dog is deeply connected with you:
- Maintaining eye contact: As discussed earlier, sustained eye contact strongly indicates trust and love between you and your dog.
- They’re excited to see you: Does your dog wiggle, wag their tail, or display other signs of excitement when you enter the room? This is a clear sign that they are bonded to you.
- Seeking out physical contact: If your dog leans against you, lays their head on your lap, or enjoys snuggling with you, these are signs of a strong bond.
- Following you around: A dog that follows you from room to room typically views you as a source of comfort and security.
- Responding to your emotions: A bonded dog will be sensitive to your moods and emotions. They may behave differently if they sense you’re upset or anxious.
- They come to you for comfort: If your dog seeks you out when they’re scared or anxious, it’s a sign they trust you to keep them safe.
- Listening to your commands: If your dog follows your instructions, it shows respect and trust in you as their leader.
- They play with you: If your dog enjoys playing games with you, it’s a sign they enjoy spending time with you.
Maintaining Your Bond With Your Dog
Each dog is unique, and they all express their love differently. Some may be more subtle than others, but it’s essential to remember that as long as they are comfortable, happy, and healthy, you’re doing a great job!
Strengthening your bond with your dog is a continuous process. It requires patience, understanding, and a love willing to go the extra mile. By incorporating these simple steps into your daily routine, you can further enhance the bond with your furry friend, making each day a joyous adventure filled with warmth, companionship, and unconditional love.
