Dogs are people’s best friends for a reason. They really make an effort to love and understand you, and it’s only right that you extend the same courtesy to them. They rely on and depend on you for so much—and the feeling is mutual. If you want to make things even better between you two, here are four easy ways to effectively bond with your dog.

 

Consistent Communication

 

Inconsistency is a fast way to damage or loosens the connection between you and your dog. A bond is a combination of love and trust. And you’ll form that trust with effective and consistent communication.

When you provide your dog with rules and guidance for his or her behavior, it needs to remain the same across the board. If you tell your dog to settle down when barking at a stranger, the same rules apply to a family member or a friend. You don’t want to let one incident slide because it will confuse them, and they won’t know what you need from them.

 

Physical Touch

 

Who doesn’t love a good cuddle? Everyone loves a good snuggle—and your dog is no different. Providing them with that physical touch makes the connection strong, especially in times of distress. Dogs have moments of panic and sadness too.

When their mood shifts, try offering them a sense of comfort with your touch. If there is bad weather outside that is making them anxious, don’t yell at them to settle down; instead, try getting down on their level and speaking in a soft tone.

Rub their head and tell them everything is okay. They will feed off your energy and recognize there is nothing to worry about.

 

Do an Activity

 

It’s important to do more with your dogs than take them for walks. They need to do activities where they can have real isolation moments with you and no distractions. Try a few activities out with each other before you find one that works well.

Taking up camping is a great way to bond with your dog; it is just you, your dog, and the great outdoors. Make sure you get them familiar with all your equipment. It might be difficult to get them inside your rooftop camper at first, but they’ll get the hang of it eventually.

 

Speak Their Language

 

It’s not only about your dog needing to read you and what you want from them; it’s also about being about to read them and recognize what they need from you. Pay close attention to their body language so you can better gauge their mood.

There are different tells in them wagging their tales. Dogs do it when they are happy and when they are nervous. Pay attention to what’s happening around them so you can know which mood is which. When you get a handle on that, you’ll already be an expert.

Effectively bonding with your dog will take some time, but the key is to remain patient and consistent.