Do you have the relationship of your dreams with your dog? Just like any other relationship, it’s crucial to put conscious energy into building and maintaining the depth and quality of the relationship you share with your dog. Every day is a new opportunity to bond with our dogs, and there are easy ways to find opportunities to get quality time into your schedule. Ultimately the right way to spend quality time with your dog will depend on your dog’s personality and preferences. Here are some fun ways to build your bond.
1. Play!
One of the best ways to bond with your dog is something you probably already do. Play is a great way to spend quality time with your dog and build or strengthen the bond and connection you have. What type of games you play with your dog and what toys are involved is going to depend on your individual dog’s preferred play style. When using play to bond with your dog, experiment with different games to see what your dog finds most engaging, and then play more like that!
2. Teach a new skill
Dogs, regardless of size, age, or breed, enjoy having the opportunity to learn new skills. A great way to bond with your dog is to teach your dog a new skill or just dedicate a few minutes to practicing some basic obedience or trick your dog knows but you haven’t worked on it for a little while. Keep your dog’s training sessions short and fun using a positive reinforcement approach of lots of praise, treats, and toy rewards to keep your dog engaged and enthusiastic in training to increase your bond while training.
Grooming
Although many dog owners see grooming as a chore that needs to be done, it’s an underrated way to bond with your dog. Think of grooming as a pamper session for your dog and a relaxing way to connect with your dog. To make grooming a fun way to bond with your dog, pick a time when you aren’t in a rush and can focus on making your dog feel special. As you gently brush and comb your dog’s fur to remove any dirt, debris, or tangles, consider giving your dog a lick mat with peanut butter or other soft treat spread on it.
4. Try a new sport
If you feel things in your relationship with your dog have gotten a little monotonous, consider getting out of your comfort zone by trying something new together. There is a wide range of fun dog sports, from Agility and Barn Hunt to Rally and Scent Work, that you and your dog can play together, and it can be a great way to build your bond. Spending quality time together learning a new activity. These sports can be explored for recreational fun, or if you and your dog get excited about it, you could even start competing and earning titles.
5. Exercise & sniff time
Physical exercise is essential for dogs and people, and spending quality time exercising together can be a fun way to bond with your dog. Exercise doesn’t have to be strenuous. Unless you and your dog do a lot of exercises together, it’s much better to start introducing gentle exercise into your dog’s routine. One of the best ways to do this is to take your dog on a walk. Instead of rushing your dog along while out walking, let your dog dictate the speed at which you walk and, when it’s safe to do so, let your dog pick the direction where you walk. Dogs experience the world through their nose. Giving your dog a chance to sniff and explore and paying attention to what your dog is noticing can be relaxing for your dog and allow you to spend quality time building a better bond with your canine sidekick.
