Building a bond with the dog
It is said that the dog is man's best friend. Both can build a strong bond with each other. But for the dog, it's not just about emotional exchange, but about a deeper level of communication. Read on to learn how to build and strengthen your bond with your dog.
Why is the bond between dog and owner so important?
When two sentient beings like a human and a dog meet, something special can happen. This something special occurs on a subtle, emotional level.
It's about being seen and heard, with your wishes and needs being taken seriously. Ideally, deep trust and understanding will grow out of this relationship.
The dog is an animal that, in accordance with its need for hierarchy, craves leadership and security. It wants to be guided, to behave correctly, and in return, to be loved and acknowledged.
When a dog feels its loyalty is recognized, it becomes the most loyal ally imaginable. Some call this unconditional love. Something that is also deeply beneficial to humans.
Bonding promotes learning
The bond between a dog and its owner is essential to the dog's development. When a dog misbehaves, a well-bonded dog usually knows that it hasn't acted in accordance with its owner's wishes. This awareness serves as an important starting point for learning new things.
On a relational level, the dog wants to learn in order to please. Forcing the dog to do so from the outside, or using punishment such as hitting or yelling, will not help the dog. Punishment only damages and weakens its relationship and bond with you.
The connection is what gives you that special access to the dog. Without a bond, the dog hardly participates in the learning process. He might do what is asked of him, but only out of fear of punishment or because of the prospect of a bribe in the form of a misplaced treat. Good dog training is based on bonding.
How do I recognize a good bond with my dog?
Of course, connection is subtle and difficult to grasp. It's not that a poorly bonded dog won't obey commands or become unbearable. No, the dog will function in most cases, but something important is missing.
Connection is revealed in emotional closeness.
The difference is astonishing, especially for you:
- They notice more.
- The flow of information is more consistent.
- They "know" what's going on with your pet.
- They can understand body posture and expression to better interpret the dog's behavior.
- They are more likely to sense whether the dog likes something, is ashamed, and what mood it is in.
It is therefore about the emotional level, where deep, connecting trust manifests itself.
Does your dog have a good recall?
During the recall, this reveals whether your dog has a strong bond with you. If he hesitates or walks past you, it's a sign of a weak bond. Your dog doesn't (yet) feel completely secure with you, or has had bad experiences with you.
How does your dog behave when he is afraid?
If a dog is afraid in a situation, when he feels threatened, he naturally tends to run away. He is expressing his need for security. If he runs straight to you when scared and hides between your legs, this is a sure sign of a strong bond.
The dog places his complete trust in you, surrenders himself to your care, and shows that you can provide him with the security he needs. You have repeatedly demonstrated in your relationship that you are a pack leader who keeps your promises. You are strong, yet allow the dog to be vulnerable. You keep everything under control for his well-being.
Tip: In a frightening situation, you can support your dog by shielding him with your body. The feeling of being protected will give him the security and confidence to cope well with his fear.
How can I build a bond with my dog?
The foundation for a bond is intense shared time and the intention to truly understand the dog's nature. The dog perceives this and responds by approaching the other dog.
It's good to know
A bond usually develops almost automatically if you treat the dog appropriately and engage with it.
Building a bond with the dog through play
Playing and sharing adventures are undoubtedly the most effective ways to build a bond with your dog. Ideally, you should get down to your dog's eye level. Sit on the floor to interact with him.
Through play, they learn what he likes and dislikes, where he excels and where he isn't. You can then specifically target these areas through training.to improve in order to create shared success experiences.
Strengthen the bond with the dog through physical contact
Physical contact is very important for many dogs, but not for everyone. You need to get to know your dog first. Allow your dog to cuddle with you if it wants to. Rejection, especially at the beginning of your relationship, will create deep divisions.
If your dog reacts very defensively, he may have had bad experiences. Dogs from animal shelters, in particular, are often initially distrustful. Give your dog the chance to open up at his own pace. Generally speaking, all dogs are interested in some physical contact.
Build a better bond with your dog through patience
Patience is a virtue – especially when dealing with dogs. Dogs want to please. They want to do things right and well so that their owner can be proud of them. If they do something wrong, it's either because they haven't understood it yet or because it hasn't been explained to them.
Invest your time and approach your daily routine with calm and composure. Repeat lessons in different ways if you don't achieve the desired learning success immediately. Your dog will repay your patience with affection, and your trust in you will grow and flourish.
Food as confirmation, not as manipulation
If your dog has done something new well, you can give him a treat to reinforce his behavior. Food is used as a form of reinforcement. However, this only works within the context of an existing bond.
Food should never be used as a form of blackmail or manipulation. Don't try to use food or treats to make your dog do something he doesn't (currently) want to or can't do.
This creates a conflict for the dog: he wants the treat but rejects the actual lesson. The food drive will win out, leading to an inner conflict that hinders a good bond.
Depriving someone of food is a no-go.
Similarly, you should never use food deprivation as punishment. Your responsibility to feed your dog is fundamental and the dog experiences it as essential for its survival. To blackmail the dog in this regard would fundamentally and permanently damage its trust in you.
He would likely question your claim to the position of pack leader, and your relationship could suffer serious damage.
Important: There are limits that must not be crossed. Withholding food as a disciplinary measure is one of them.
A dog trainer helps to strengthen the bond with the dog.
In dog schools, not only basic behavior is taught. Good trainers. They will help you discover and strengthen your bond with your dog.
Once you've established the initial, tentative steps of a bond under guidance, you can continue working on it independently. Dog trainers provide you with the tools you need to further strengthen the relationship between owner and dog.
At a glance: How to build a bond with your dog
- Play and train with your dog
- Praise often and extensively in everyday life
- Give the dog physical contact when he seeks it.
- Stay calm in stressful situations and be fair and patient in your parenting.
- Implement rules consistently and instill mental strength.
Conclusion: Commitment is the key to true partnership.
Having a connection means acting in the dog's best interests. As the owner, it is your duty to train your dog. However, the foundation for this is not coercion, but motivation.
Dogs that have developed a deep bond with their owner can reach their full potential much more effectively. They learn faster, achieve more, and exhibit fewer behavioral problems.
Bonding is not just emotional sentimentality, but the key to a true partnership in which both dog and human can grow beyond themselves.