Getting a new dog is an exciting time, but it can also seem a little painful. We all want to get off to a good start and for many of us it means creating a strong bond with our new best friend.
Like any relationship, creating a deep connection takes time, but there are fairly simple ways to reinforce that connection from the first day. Here are 6 ways to bond with your new dog.
When it comes to connecting with a new dog, patience is the key. For some dogs, this will happen overnight, and for some it may take a few weeks or months.
Each dog has its own personality and some dogs take longer than others to open up to new people and their environment. Like us, when dogs find themselves in a new situation, there is a period of adaptation. So before we tackle some of the fun ways to bond with your new dog, I want to emphasize how important it is to have patience.
All dogs are not directly related to a new owner - do not take it personally. They are in a whole new environment and get used to new images, smells and sounds. This can be a stressful time for your new dog and you can help make it comfortable by keeping things calm and positive during these first two days.
I know it's tempting to go out and do everything with your new dog, but patience is sometimes essential. If your dog seems shy or fearful, take it slowly. give them some time to adjust to their new home and their new family. Even if it's tempting, avoid overwhelming them by inviting everyone to meet your new dog on the first day if it shows signs of stress or fear.
Dogs like to have a routine, so meeting a fixed schedule from day one can help your new dog adapt. The routines are comfortable and they will teach your dog what is expected of him at all times. Since dogs thrive in routine, the sooner your new dog learns how your house works, the more comfortable it will be. You can help your new dog adapt to your home by:
- Feed at the same time every day
- Go out for the pot breaks constantly
- Your daily walk at the same time
- Go to bed at about the same time each night
This also includes exercise time, hug time, or any other daily game or activity in which she participates. I know that many owners want to spend as much time as possible with their new dog, and that's wonderful. But try to incorporate at least some of your normal activities into the day during these first few weeks to help your dog adjust to what will become his normal routine.
As for the links with your new dog, remember to be consistent and clear. Make sure all family members are on the same page regarding training. Have a family sit down and make sure everyone agrees on what is not acceptable and who is rewarding. The fastest way to disorient and frustrate a dog is to have a different set of rules according to the orders given.
If you do not want your dog on the furniture, make sure everyone respects this rule and make sure everyone is rewarding the same behaviors. It's not fair for your dog to punish him for a behavior you disapprove of but that your husband encourages. You can avoid frustration by making sure that all family members agree on acceptable behaviors.
4. Give your dog their own space
To make your new dog more comfortable, consider giving him his own comfortable bed, a crate or a safe place to retire when he gets tired. Some dogs need a place to relax from time to time, especially with the stress of being in a new environment. If your dog is retiring to his favorite place, remember not to take it personally and give him some time to decompress. Being in a brand new place can be overwhelming.
One of the most fun ways to bond with your new dog is to participate in an interactive game with them. Some dogs will be ready to play as soon as they come home and others may need to be persuaded. If your dog is not ready to play, it may be because he is still overwhelmed by his new environment; let it settle down a bit and try again later.
If you want to engage your dog in play, try a simple game of hunting / recovery. Try to roll a toy on the ground and see if you can excite it to chase it. If they are still not interested, show them how it's going. continue the toy yourself to show them how fun it is. Here are some other fun games to try with your new dog:
- Frisbee
- Find it (candy cache)
- Tug of war
- Food Distributor Toys (The Bob A Lot is My Favorite)
6. Relax together
When it comes to bonding with a new dog, it's hard to go wrong by spending a bit of quality alone to relax together. Invite your dog to sit on the couch with you for a hug or downtime and invite him to introduce his dog massage techniques.
Laika and I have our own time cuddling on the couch every night. Relaxing is a nice way to spend quality time together before going to bed and by incorporating it into your routine, you can teach your dog that 9 pm (or the moment you choose) is the time to the relaxation.
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