Over the past few weeks I have been helping my daughter and her family adjust to the sometimes challenging, life with a new puppy and above all begin the process of having the puppy bond with the family. 

I love this quote from Roger Caras:

“Dogs have given us their absolute all. We are the center of their universe. We are the focus of their love and faith and trust. They serve us in return for scraps. It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made”

This bond is based on thousands of years of living closely with people. Dogs have developed the ability to empathize with human beings, read our body language and facial expressions, and develop their own ways of communicating with us. This is a unique bond not seen between any other species.

So how do you tell if you are the centre of your dog’s universe?

Signs of a Strong Bond

It’s easy to tell if your dog has a deep emotional connection with you. Do you see these signs?

• Great eye contact with you

• Frequently checking in to see where you are

• A desire to be near you - sleeping at your feet or laying on the couch with you

• Ability to communicate with you - do you understand what your dog wants and needs through the way he or she communicates?

• Coming when called even when they are distracted

• Happily doing training or other activities with you

• Smiling and getting excited when you come home

• Enjoying physical interaction with you

Here are 10 ways you can become the center of your new puppy’s world 

1. Observe their behaviour

Simple, but perhaps not the most obvious, is to spend some time each day observing your puppy’s behaviour. Dogs are constantly watching us and reading our behavior. If we do something similar, if we simply watch them and try to see the world from their perspective it can help us connect more fully to our dogs’ feelings.

2. Learn their body language

Part of observing their behaviour is also to learn the signs for when your dog is uncomfortable. Watch their body language for tensing up, avoiding eye contact, licking their lips, keeping their mouth closed, holding their ears back against their head. Learning and listening to the non-verbal cues that your dog gives you goes a long way towards building mutual respect.

3. Nothing in life is free

Make yourself the distributor of all good things like food, play, attention, and your dog will realize that the best in life originates from you. Follow the “Nothing in Life is Free” philosophy. Make them sit or wait or lay down before eating, going out or starting a game. This builds your dog’s confidence by providing clear rules and enjoyable outcomes for good behaviour and in so doing encourages a bond built on trust and mutual respect.

4. Feed at specific times

Related to number 3 above, is to feed your dog at specific times instead of leaving the bowl down all day. This will create the connection between food coming from you and not the bowl - reinforcing that all good things come from you.

5. Playtime

Play games that your dog enjoys such as tug or frisbee or fetch. This provides the physical exercise they need while giving you special one-on-one time.

6. Teach and train

Teach your puppy a new trick or do 15 minutes of training with positive reinforcement each day.  When your dog understands your commands and follows them, he sees that he’s pleased you. When you praise and reward him, you’ve pleased him. This will create good communication between the two of you, help your dog focus on you, and foster a sense of teamwork and belonging. 

7. Be consistent

Consistency with your house rules and what you expect of your dog goes a long way to establishing trust. Feeding at the same times, if they are allowed on furniture or which furniture, which areas of the house your puppy may go, where your puppy will sleep, etc. The more consistency you provide, the more your dog will trust you. Inconsistency causes confusion and breaks the trust.

8. Talk to your pup

Your voice is like music to a dog’s ears. The more they associate your voice with positive experiences the better your bond will be. So talk to your dog - a lot! You can even sing or read to your pup.

9. Be your pup’s protector

Always look out for your dog’s well-being. If they don’t like something, don’t do it, unless it is vital for their health. Do not tease your dogs! Don’t force them to do things that they are afraid of.  As part of building trust don’t call them to you for punishment. By being a caring guardian you’ll build your pup’s trust and confidence in you.

10. Look into your puppy’s eyes.  

Your dog may stare at you as an expression of affection. It has been shown that mutual staring between humans and dogs releases oxytocin, known as the love hormone. This chemical plays an important role in bonding and boosts feelings of love and trust. So take a few moments every day to look into your dog’s eyes and you’ll find your connection deepens very quickly.

Remember that bonding with your new puppy is a journey, not a destination. Enjoy the journey and know that while setbacks are inevitable, you’ll both learn from them and allow that learning to strengthen your bond.

I would love to meet your new puppy, so feel free to reach out to me for that all important puppy photography session. Let’s get some photos of your pup while he or she is still little and create memories that will always warm your heart!

This week’s theme of the 52-week pet photography project in which I am participating is “center”. There could be many takes on this topic so head on over to Darlene Woodward with Pant the Town Photography serving pet families in MA and NH to see what she’s written on the theme. Then follow the link at the bottom of her post and continue until you get right back here.

As a pet photographer I specialize in on-location puppy and pet photography in the Greater Toronto area, Markham, Richmond Hill, Scarborough, Vaughan, Thornhill, Etobicoke, North York and beyond.