When you adopt a dog or perhaps bring a puppy home, your life is definitely about to change for the better. However, while a dog brings a great deal of joy into a home, it really can take a while for this furry pal to bond with the family. Consider the following helpful hints as you attempt to bond with your new dog.
While it would be great if dogs could simply talk to us, they can't, and owners need to be observant and recognize cues from their animal. A dog that is new to the home definitely can be scared, and if you see the animal pacing or cowering under tables or hunched with their tail under their back legs, the dog is probably scared. Rather than try to force interaction, it is best to perhaps sit nearby on the floor and gently coax the dog to come to you using gentle tones. Remind other members of the household to be a bit quieter than usual when introducing a dog to a home, as dogs can be scared by yelling or loud voices, even if it's just the kids playing. Anytime the dog makes the move to come to you, pet them gently and give them some praise.
Set a daily routine for your animal. Dogs are happy when they know what to expect, so try to set up a consistent routine that suits your lifestyle and your pet's needs. This includes a walking schedule, eating schedule and play schedule. Obviously, you cannot always follow any schedule to the letter, but dogs are creatures of routine so they will feel more comfortable if, at least at first, they understand their routine. A dog that feels content and cared for will bond with their owner more easily.
Provide plenty of time for fun and play. Dogs and humans need exercise, so get out there with your pet and have some fun. Take a nice long daily walk or run around in the back yard throwing a favorite toy. A high-energy dog might also enjoy learning Frisbee tricks or taking on agility training. Other dogs are perfectly happy if you toss a toy or ball across the room a dozen or more times. Playing together definitely can increase your bond.
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.
It is important to find a great training program that makes it easy for you to teach your dog basic skills. While it does take time to train and you definitely must be patient, a helpful set of dog training DVDs can take make it much easier for you to help your dog learn many important skills. The Dog's Way is a 12-lesson DVD program designed to help owners teach dogs all the basics, such as how to sit, stay, stay quiet, walk on a leash, understand boundaries and much more. After a few weeks of work with The Dog's Way, your pet not only will have a deeper bond with you, you will truly enjoy your time with this sweet, loyal and well-trained companion.
While it would be great if dogs could simply talk to us, they can't, and owners need to be observant and recognize cues from their animal. A dog that is new to the home definitely can be scared, and if you see the animal pacing or cowering under tables or hunched with their tail under their back legs, the dog is probably scared. Rather than try to force interaction, it is best to perhaps sit nearby on the floor and gently coax the dog to come to you using gentle tones. Remind other members of the household to be a bit quieter than usual when introducing a dog to a home, as dogs can be scared by yelling or loud voices, even if it's just the kids playing. Anytime the dog makes the move to come to you, pet them gently and give them some praise.
Set a daily routine for your animal. Dogs are happy when they know what to expect, so try to set up a consistent routine that suits your lifestyle and your pet's needs. This includes a walking schedule, eating schedule and play schedule. Obviously, you cannot always follow any schedule to the letter, but dogs are creatures of routine so they will feel more comfortable if, at least at first, they understand their routine. A dog that feels content and cared for will bond with their owner more easily.
Provide plenty of time for fun and play. Dogs and humans need exercise, so get out there with your pet and have some fun. Take a nice long daily walk or run around in the back yard throwing a favorite toy. A high-energy dog might also enjoy learning Frisbee tricks or taking on agility training. Other dogs are perfectly happy if you toss a toy or ball across the room a dozen or more times. Playing together definitely can increase your bond.
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.
It is important to find a great training program that makes it easy for you to teach your dog basic skills. While it does take time to train and you definitely must be patient, a helpful set of dog training DVDs can take make it much easier for you to help your dog learn many important skills. The Dog's Way is a 12-lesson DVD program designed to help owners teach dogs all the basics, such as how to sit, stay, stay quiet, walk on a leash, understand boundaries and much more. After a few weeks of work with The Dog's Way, your pet not only will have a deeper bond with you, you will truly enjoy your time with this sweet, loyal and well-trained companion.
About the Author:
Garrett McMahan loves watching dog show. For more information about how to train a dog on a leash, or to discover dog training DVDs online, please check out the TheDogsWay.com site now.