While we love our dogs and consider them to be essential parts of our families, is our relationship more or less transactional — they need us for food, and we need them for comfort – and that's how we get along? Is it something else entirely? So, let me ask you a question. Would you be interested if you could discover a method to strongly bonded with your dog rather than merely sharing a living space with them?

Quality Time

Spend time with each other. Because a relationship is built on being with one other and exchanging experiences, spending time together enhances it, especially if you do so in pleasurable ways. 

How to form a bond with your dog

Trust gives a sense of comfort and dependability. He knows he can depend on you to help him out when he needs it the most - whether it's with meals, walks, or comfort at a difficult time. However, an overall degree of trust must not be shattered when actions deviate from the established standards. Always be fair and don't tease him to win his trust and form a relationship with your dog. If you don't have a treat, don't act as if you do. When it's time to go to the vet, don't mislead him into thinking it's a trip to the dog park. You know the buzz words that get him all giddy - don't use them too much.

Physical touch

Cuddling on the sofa, caressing his stomach, stroking his head – or grooming sessions that allow you to connect while brushing him out – are all examples of affection. Giving your one-on-one pet attention is an excellent approach to establishing a connection and forming a lasting bond.

                Getty Images/iStockphoto

Affection

While this may seem self-evident, we don't always do it in a significant manner to our pets. We may think we're showing our pets affection by giving them soft beds or noisy toys, as well as playing catch in the backyard or taking them on off-leash runs at the dog park, but we're just caring for them. 

Expectations should be set

There aren't many dogs that aren't enthralled with the phrase "good boy." Dogs adore verbal praise and treat incentives that tell them they've done an excellent job, whether it's to acknowledge a trick they've done or a nasty habit they've conquered. It indicates you're working as a close-knit group, which he adores. As a result, set your pet up for success by creating clear rules and expectations that inform him of his expectations. Make objectives realistic and suitable for his age, breed, and health, but make sure he understands what they are and that you both rejoice when he achieves them.

Incentive-based training

At some time in their lives, all dogs will require training. Teaching your dog new behaviors is just a part of life, whether learning fundamental instructions, aiding socialization, or curbing destructive tendencies. And it's at this stage of development that he learns more than simply how to obey orders. While he's working hard to anticipate your needs, he's also watching how you react when he makes a mistake. Don't create a fearful environment. Build a relationship with your dog by praising and acknowledging his good days using rewards-based training, and forget about scolding and punishing on the bad days.

Compliment Your Dog

What you want is for your dog to feel proud of himself. As a result, if you don't provide them with one, they will develop their own (such as barking at the crows in your garden). (Beware of intruders!) There's a good chance that they're just trying to please you. He feels productive if he satisfies you; therefore, he'll try more to please you. The closer you become to them, the more they'll want to be around you.

Recognize Their Limitations

Your dog's limits must be respected. Don't hurry the solution, whether it's fear-based (such as thunderstorms and fireworks), personal preferences (my dogs despise being groomed), or a suspicion of strangers that you need to go through with him. While recognizing the trigger is the first stage, developing an action plan to overcome it is the next. If your pet enables you to cut his nails or do any other unpleasant but necessary activity, reward him. Look for stress-relieving Thunder-shirts or look into de-sensitization techniques. But provoking a confrontation with your pet would only shatter the relationship you've fought so hard to build.

Communication

 Be explicit in your communication. Misunderstandings and uncertainty are the enemies of good relationships, so speak with your dog as clearly as possible. Keep your training messages constant. When feasible, utilize visual signals instead of verbal cues since dogs learn visual signals faster. Dogs pay more attention to what we do than what we say; therefore, we should pay attention to what we do while communicating with them. When you better know each other, you will feel closer and realize how to make bonding with your dog.

Remember

Honoring, rewarding, and strengthening your relationship with your dog will benefit both her and you. You'll feel more relaxed, happy, and grateful for the pleasant times you and your partner have. Above all, remember that the canine/human relationship is all about being loving, supportive, engaging, and fun.