Building a trusting relationship with a new puppy may take
some time. Learn the advantages of bonding with your puppy, as well as tips and
step-by-step instructions for making your puppy your best friend.
Benefits of Bonding With Your Puppy
Building a trusting relationship with your puppy takes time
and effort, but it has several advantages. Bonding can be used to:
Allow you to communicate with your puppy: Learning how your
dog uses body language to communicate needs, fears, and desires is part of
bonding with your dog. This will assist you in meeting your puppy's needs and
preventing bad behavior.
Make your dog feel safe by doing the following: Young
puppies who know they can rely on their owners for protection and love are less
likely to engage in anxious behaviors such as barking, biting, and hiding. A
trusting dog is more likely to listen, interact well with humans and other
animals, and enjoy new experiences.
Prevent bad behavior: A dog's bond with its owner is
essential for raising a well-behaved dog. If your puppy feels loyal to you,
they will strive to please, which means they will be more likely to obey
commands and repeat behaviors that you reinforce.
Tips for Bonding With Your Puppy
Consider the following suggestions for bonding with your
puppy:
Be patient. It is normal for your new puppy to feel
uneasy in a strange environment. Getting used to family members, other pets,
and new surroundings can all slow down the bonding process, which is especially
true for certain dog breeds or rescue dogs. Rather than forcing any behavior,
observe your puppy's body language and avoid situations in which they appear
scared or irritated.
Experiment with hand-feeding. If your dog is shy or anxious,
take a fistful of dog food and let him eat from your hand. This communicates
that you are a trustworthy individual, that you will provide for your dog, and
that they can rely on you.
Remain consistent. Setting firm boundaries with your puppy
will deter bad behavior while also strengthening your bond. Make sure that
everyone in your family understands and follows the rules for your puppy. If
your puppy does not understand your expectations, he or she may become confused
and stop listening to you.
Make use of positive reinforcement. Puppies want to please
their owners, and if you reward them with their favorite game, treats, or
verbal praise, they are more likely to repeat a positive behavior. This is more
effective than yelling at your puppy for inappropriate behavior, which can
damage your bond by causing confusion, fear, and distrust.
How to Bond with Your Puppy
Here are four steps to bonding with your puppy:
1. Make time for bonding. Set up a comfortable environment
with toys, treats, a crate, and a playpen when you first bring your puppy home.
Make sure that any accessible room is puppy-proof so that your new dog does not
get into mischief. Spend the first few days at home with your puppy if possible
to help ease them into the new environment.
2. Create a timetable. Dogs thrive when they understand what
is expected of them. They also want to know they can count on you to take care
of their needs. Set times for feeding, potty breaks, playtime, and walks to
help your new puppy feel secure.
3. Include your puppy in daily activities. The more
time and physical contact you have with your dog, the sooner it will become
your best friend. Set up a playpen near you so that you can be close to your
puppy without having to constantly supervise them. Allow your puppy to nap on
you while you're sitting on the couch watching TV. Or, to promote
socialization, incorporate them into your exercise routine by taking them on
walks or hikes.
4. Start a training program. After your new puppy
adjusts, teach them basic commands like sit, stay, and lay down. You can hire a
dog trainer to help, but training your puppy yourself builds trust, respect,
and understanding between you and your new best friend.
