Sarah Posted May 9, 2009 Report Share Posted May 9, 2009 It's easy to presume that when you get your dog home for the first time that you will both fall instantly in love and live happily ever after. But making that special connection isn't quite so simple. This is a two way relationship made up of a mix of many things including mutual respect, communication, understanding, tolerance, acceptance, confidence and trust - as well as affection. Forming that close bond takes effort and commitment which means you need to spend time interacting with your pet every day in a variety of ways. While any activities you do together will help create and strengthen the bond between you, it's imprtant to observe your dogs responses. Get Training Training is a great bonding activity. However, it needs to be positive and reward based. If it's not fun for you both, then it's going to drive you apart rather than pull you closer together. Once you've mastered the basics, don't stop. As long as you make it a happy experience then your dog will want to please you and learn new things. If the traditional obedience training doesn't suite you, why not try agility, doggy dancing, or trick training - which are fun forms of interaction that don't feel like training. Take a hike Dogs love to go out on walks - all those smells and being with you stimulate his brain. With sibes, don't let them off the lead though unless in a VERY good enclosed area. Whislt on a walk, this is an ideal oportunity to spend some time interacting with your dog. Take some toys with you, work on recall, pley fetch, play hide and seek. Vary your walking pace so that it keeps him on his toes and ensures an interesting walk the whole time. Touch Ensuring you dog is comfortable with being touched is very important. Take time out sit down together and gently stroke him. Start at the top of the head and use soft smooth movements. Fondle his ears, round his neck, down his legs, touch his paws, right down to the base of his tail. Once you are both familiar with this basic level of touching, move onto - carefully, his mouth, have some peanut butter or kong paste on your fingers let him lick it a few times until he's comfortable with your hand and fingers being near his mouth. ONce you have both got the trust and confidence, start touching his gums / teeth. THis is important to work on slowly but will ensure that if you ever need to remove anything stuck in his mouth or paw, he will be a lot more trusting towards you. Touching your dog will also ensure less anxiety at you vets as he will be used to haveing his mouth opened or his paws touched should he need his nails clipped. This is also an ideal opotunity to familiarise yourself with every part of his body so you can detect any changes. Rescue dogs Taking on a rescue dog is a wonderful thing. You know that you are giving it a wonderful new life with you. When working on the points above however, always proceed with caution at first. You may not know what you new found friend has been through in the past. Some dogs may find it hard to bond at first but given time patience and love, you will win their trust forever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siberianandy Posted May 9, 2009 Report Share Posted May 9, 2009 thanks sarah really useful info would add to rep but can't Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siberian_wolf Posted May 9, 2009 Report Share Posted May 9, 2009 excellant advice sarah, added to rep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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