Strengthening Your Bond with Your Puppy
Establishing a quality relationship can seem easy with a wide-eyed puppy, eager and open. A starting point that will change as the puppy matures and develops, physically and mentally. An independence will take over, a desire to explore on its own paw, inner instincts will make themselves heard and breed characteristics will emerge. It is important to have a good relationship and a nice interaction with your puppy before that happens.
Building a strong foundation for the future
Dogs and humans have walked side by side for thousands of years, naturally attuned to each other. Embrace this harmony with your puppy, invest in your relationship, and create a strong foundation. The upcoming adolescent phase can be a demanding phase, a strong bond will help you through it. The different stages of puppy maturity - important information for anyone with a puppy.
See yourselves as a unit for a deeper relationship
A good relationship goes beyond just being fun, supportive, and playful. A deep and multi-layered connection is crucial for making life with your dog fulfilling, safe, and harmonious for both of you. So, boost your relationship on a deeper level. Start by seeing yourself and your puppy as one, not two. United and synchronized. Live in symbiosis. Give and take. View your dog's failures as your own, and her/his successes as your successes.
Understanding through better communication
Two crucial keys are communication and understanding. Read everything you can find and attend courses on dog language and communication. Choose your trainers or authors wisely. Much has changed in research lately, so outdated theories, myths, and opinions shouldn't shape your relationship—be critical of Facebook groups where dog parents act as experts, sharing various and often unwise claims without responsibility. Strengthen your relationship with your dog based on validated knowledge. Understanding your dog's signals and behaviors is vital for your connection. Start by reading "The art of canine communication" here in Petli. Dog language - learn to interpret and speak dog language. Feel free to read Linguistic Finesse.
Pay attention to and meet your puppy's needs
The little puppy craves closeness and attachment, which most new dog parents can provide effortlessly. However, fulfilling your dog's needs doesn't automatically ensure a good relationship. Look beyond that. Understand who your dog is (as an individual and based on her/his breed) and what she/he needs as a puppy and an adult. This could involve environmental training, smart socialization, foundational training, clear routines, friendly boundaries, breed-specific outlets for mental stimulation and energy. Meet those needs proactively, catering to your puppy's interests and be rewarded with a strong bond. Socialize the dog properly. This approach links you together. It's your chance to show who you are and what your dog can expect from you. Positive experiences build trust.
Lek rotates your relationship
After establishing trust and confidence, it's crucial to have fun together. Play and share adventures; they boost your relationship! Laugh together, goof around, and playfully tussle. Let your dog lead the play, what makes her/him burst into laughter? Add fun elements yourself, get creative. Hide under a blanket and let your pup nudge you out, climb up a tree and drop treats for your dog to seek out, have fun! Surprise your dog with unexpected delights; it could be a new activity, a toy, or a playful stunt. Explore new beautiful places together, sit closely and contemplate the world as a team. Behold the world that's so new to your little friend. See it through your puppy's eyes. Engage in her/his excitement over a dandelion or show your little companion a cool rock or a fun playground. Share her/his curiosity and elevate her/his zest for life and companionship.
Deepen your connection
When you're with your puppy, be present. See more than the surface of your pet. Explore your pup's personality by simply being together. Breathe, stand close, sit together. Cuddle and cuddle some more. Find where on her/his body your furry little friend appreciates your pets and massages. The oxytocin release that occurs in both you and your dog is all about bonding. So, touch your puppy with more than just your hands; open your heart and convey everything you feel. Dogs sense that. Such messages transcend language barriers. They go beyond species.
The balance between protective and overprotective
Protect your beloved friend. Life as a puppy will involve experiences and encounters that might cause worry. Don't be overprotective; you want to shape a resilient adult dog that stands firmly on all fours. Be protective instead. If your dog experiences something unpleasant, step in and shield. Help your puppy out of distress. Don't ignore your puppy's emotional expressions; see, understand, and assist. The difference between being overprotective and protective is as significant as between sympathy and empathy. The latter strengthens your relationship, while mere sympathy can create insecurity and is far from reassuring or nurturing for your dog. Act on the right feeling, with thoughtful intention.
Friendly boundaries and mutual responsiveness
Setting boundaries might sound daunting, but it's an essential part of the relationship between a dog and a human. It doesn't mean being harsh, dominant, or strict. It's about limiting opportunities for undesired behaviors. In practice, it could mean shortening the leash when passing the neighbor's cat, keeping your dog behind you during a meeting, gently preventing your puppy from jumping on a child. This "boundary-setting" should be friendly, clear, consistent, and entirely devoid of threats, conflicts, or harshness. And remember, Rome wasn't built in a day… so be patient. A relationship should be a two-way street. Be receptive to when your dog sets boundaries for you. It could be your pup backing away from your touch, turning her/his nose from a task you want her/him to perform, growling over a bone, or expressing a desire to finish sniffing. The more you listen to your puppy, the more responsive your dog becomes to your requests.
Fill the relationship with positive experiences
Being a good partner may require self-awareness and knowing your flaws and strengths. Spare your dog from your worst sides and shower your friend with your good qualities. It's taking responsibility for what you bring into the relationship. If you cross a line, push too hard, or act unfairly, apologize. A dog listens and can forgive. Make it up to your pup and let the situation teach you something about yourself. If something starts straining the relationship, address it in time. Aim to untangle knots before they turn into tangles. Personal development can be frustrating, and puppies or young dogs can be frustrating to share life with sometimes, as they demand that we grow alongside them.
Written by: Caroline Alupo
Caroline Alupo is Petli's co-founder. She has a master's degree in ethology and is also a trained dog trainer and dog psychologist. She has 19 years of experience as a professional dog trainer. Read more about Caroline here.
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