Quick Tips Episode 16: Bonding With Your Dog

Bonding with your dog is so important and there are a few things you can do to help make that happen and really increase that bond.

 Tip One is Quality Time. At least 30 minutes a day spend quality time with your dog. What that means is put the cell phone down, turn the tv off, and shut the computer. Be involved 150% in what your dog is doing. Throw the ball cheer them on when they get that ball. Encourage them to come back and throw it again. We know when our loved ones are distracted when they're interacting with us and the dogs feel the same way. That’s why this quality time of uninterrupted love is so important.

Second tip is Touch. Dogs show love through touch, so 10 minutes every day give your dog a little dog massage. Rub their ears, scratch their chest, massage their shoulders and neck. Also massage those hips. Those are areas that dogs really like to be touched and it's a good way to show your dog how much you care about them.

Tip #3 with bonding is to Respect Who They Are. We may want our dog to be social at the dog park or be the best dog at fetching a ball or a frisbee. But if that's not what they want to do, don't force them into it. Instead, find another activity that you two can do and enjoy together.