They say that a dog is a man’s best friend, right? However, to reach the stage where you share unconditional love with each other, you’ll need to build a solid relationship with your pooch.
Whenever you bring a new furry friend into the home, they’re likely to be apprehensive in their new environment – especially if they have been rescued from a shelter and have an abusive background. It takes time to build a stable relationship with your pooch, so don’t expect miracles overnight.
With your dog’s wellbeing in mind, this article will teach you some of the best ways of building a stronger relationship with your pooch to enjoy a long-lasting companionship from the get-go with your furry four-legged friend.
Learn About Dog Behavior
Dogs learn body language, tone of voice, and gestures from humans in order to communicate; therefore, you should make it your priority to understand your dog’s behavior, too.
As dogs obviously cannot speak to express their emotions, you’ll need to be aware of the signs of when they may be anxious or in situations that make them uncomfortable. If your dog is fully aware that you will keep them safe, they will learn to trust you, and therefore, your bond will strengthen.
Be Wary of Illness
Your dog is heavily reliant on you to remain in good health. Many new dog owners remain fearful of missing the key signs of illness, which could be detrimental to their health and wellbeing.
Therefore, it is important to spot the signs of illness to ensure your pooch gets the correct treatment as soon as possible if they happen to get sick. Some of the key signs of illness to be aware of include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- A change in toilet habits
- Lameness
- Eye changes
- Gum changes
- Panting
- Weight loss
- Weight gain
While no dog appreciates going to the vet (much like humans never enjoy visiting the doctor or dentist), it is important to register with a reputable local veterinary practice such as veterinariancolumbiasc.com to get your dog back to health in the event of an emergency.
Stay Calm
There will be occasions when your dog may annoy you – whether it be an accident in the house or chewing your furniture. Still, you should try and refrain from losing your temper with your pooch.
Raising your voice and expressing aggressive body language can cause your pup to become tense and withdrawn if they feel under threat. The last thing you want is for your dog to become cautious of you, as this can cause long-term effects on your relationship. Regardless of the situation that arises, stay calm and in control, and never take your anger and frustration out on your pet.
Be a Leader
Dogs look to their owners as their leaders and learn how to behave through training. When owners trust their dogs to behave, they are more likely to allow them the independence to do as they please, which strengthens the trust element between dogs and owners.
Plus, through training, you’re giving your dog positive reactions when they follow your commands, which promotes affection and bonding.
