Do you have a new puppy? If so, then you may want to make sure that you spend a lot of time bonding with them so you can get the most out of your relationship with one another.
If you don’t quite know how to best bond with your puppy, or if you want some tips that will help them to feel more at ease with you, then this is the guide you need.
Be Patient with your Dog
When it comes to bonding with your new dog, you have to try and be patient. For some dogs, you may find that they bond with you overnight and for other dogs, it can take a few weeks or even a few months.
Every dog has their own personality and some of them will take a long time to warm up to new people as well as their surroundings.
When dogs are put into a new situation, there is always an adjustment period. Before trying to find fun ways to bond with your puppy, you need to make sure that you have patience. Not every dog will bond right away with their new owner, and this is never something that you should take personally.
They are in a new environment, and they have a lot of new sights, smells, and even sounds to get used to.
This can be a very stressful time for them, but you can make them feel comfortable by trying to keep things both calm and positive.
Sure, it can be tempting to go out and do all of the things you want to do with them, but ultimately, patience is key. If your dog appears to be fearful or shy, then take it slow.
Give your new puppy time to settle and then go from there. Studying what breed you want before searching for puppies for sale will help you to understand the dog more as well.
Stick to your Schedule
Dogs really do love to have a routine! If you can make a point of trying to set a schedule and stick to it from day one, then this will help them to adjust.
Routines are known for providing a lot of comfort, and they teach your pup what is expected from them at any given time.
Dogs thrive on routine, so the sooner you can teach them this, the more comfortable they will be.
You can help your new pooch to adjust to the home by trying to feed them at the same time every day, and by taking them out for toilet breaks on a regular basis.
Going for a walk at the same time will also help them, as well as going to bed at the same time every night.
Be Consistent
When it comes to actually bonding with your dog, you have to be consistent as much as possible.
You also need to be clear. Make sure that everyone is on the same page, and that everyone understands what behaviors are okay and which ones are not.
The fastest way for you to frustrate or confuse your dog would be for you to have different rules for everyone. If you do not want your dog to be on the furniture, then make sure that everyone is able to stick to this rule and also make sure that everyone is rewarding the right behavior too.
It is not fair to your dog at all to punish them for doing something that your other half is actively encouraging. It is possible for you to avoid all of this by getting everyone on the same page from the get-go.
Give Your Dog Some Space
Imagine yourself being in your dog’s shoes for a second. You are surrounded by strangers, and you are also in a new place where absolutely nothing is familiar to you.
Some dogs may feel overwhelmed during their first few days but one way for you to try and alleviate this worry would be for you to give them their very own space.
You need to make sure that they have their very own bed, and you also need to give them a crate or even a safe spot where they can go if they feel a little tired.
Some dogs need a space to unwind and then they can eventually come out of their shell, so try and accommodate this as much as you can.
If you can do this then you will soon find that they are able to work at their own pace. Remember if you push them too much then this could well have the opposite result.
Engage in Play
One of the best ways for you to truly bond with your dog is for you to engage in some form of interactive play.
Some dogs may well be ready to play the moment they come home but other dogs may need a little time and a little coaxing.
If you know that your pup is not ready to play, then it could be because they are not used to their surroundings yet. Let them settle in and then try them a bit later on.
If you do want your dog to engage in a bit of play, then a simple game of fetch is the best way to go. Try and roll a toy on the ground and see if you can get them to chase it.
If they are not showing any interest at all then chase the toy yourself and show them how fun it can be. Sometimes they need teaching and if you can show them in ways that look fun, then this will help you to bring them out of their shell.
We also recommend our puppy play mat as it’s a safe space for them to relax, take a nap, and their toys are all there, too!
So, things like this can help you to make your new puppy feel right at home and it can also help you to have the best bonding experience with them as well.
So be mindful of this and always give your dog the time they need to be comfortable first. If you do this, you’ll be the best of friends in no time.
