How to build a better bond with your puppy

So you have just added a new member to your pet household. It is always a great feeling. But when it comes to bonding with your pup, many pet owners find it difficult at the start.

Developing a strong, trusting relationship is essential for both human and puppy. Moreover, nurturing a bond helps your dog to overcome their fears and adjust to the surroundings.

Here, we have shared some useful tips on how to build a relationship of love and trust with your doggy.

Stay Calm

Some dogs take months to warm up with new people, so one of the keys to developing a dog is calmness and patience. When your dog is in the adjustment phase, don’t think that a newcomer will adjust immediately. It can be challenging for your pup to get comfortable with new sights, sounds, and smells. I know you will be dying to have fun with your dog, but you must give them some time.

Training

Training a puppy is necessary to keep your household in order and to help your puppy learn important behaviours and cues. Using positive-reinforcement training with treats and praise is an ideal way to establish a bond. Puppies need guidance and direction, we will facilitate this if we strengthen the bond and build the trust they have in us. They are learning—whether we are teaching them or not. So, we must pay attention to what they are doing at all times, in order that we prevent them from learning the wrong things.

Playtime

Puppies have tons of energy and they need regular playtime to help expend that energy. Instead of leaving your puppy on his own to play with a toy, choose puppy toys that are interactive so that you can play together. The type of play is dependent on the dog, some dogs like playing fetch, others like gently tugging on toys, varying what you do will enable you to find out what your pup enjoys the most.

Hand feeding

While you should get your puppy used to eating and drinking out of their own food and water bowls, saving a little bit of food and hand feeding can provide a great opportunity to bond with your dog. Use this opportunity to develop off-lead walking by feeding the dog with small pieces from beside your knee whilst walking.

Walking

Establishing a dog walking routine offers puppy parents a prime opportunity to teach their dog and build trust. Starting to lead train and go for walks early is an opportunity to take time out of your day and focus on building a relationship with your puppy. Remember that puppies are still growing, so limit the distance you walk them.

Being quiet together

Sometimes, bonding happens in peaceful moments, when you get to just rest and enjoy quiet time with your puppy. She suggests reading a book to your dog or just petting your pup in silence as a way to interact and be close.

Grooming

Any one-on-one time that you can devote to your puppy will help to grow the bond you share. At home, grooming and brushing is an easy way to focus in on the needs of your puppy and enjoy a little bit of downtime together.

Continuing to Bond as Puppies Grow

Bonding with your dog isn’t something that stops when puppies grow into adult dogs, and pet parents should take the time and continue regular bonding activities with their four-legged family members.

Dogs enjoy spending time with us, and bonding happens through repetition and consistency.

Don’t leave it to chance

You will no doubt be offered lots of advice on how to raise your puppy and of course you want to get it right to avoid behavioural issues later on. Getting a puppy is both a financial and time consuming commitment and there are many professionals who carry out consultation services in order to put your on the right track towards building a strong bond between you and your puppy, so if you are in any doubt or unsure then seek some professional advice here.