Tips for Building a Healthy Bond with Your Dog

Humans need to feel connected to others, and we sometimes bond as deeply with our dogs as we do with those of our own species. However, the flavors of human-canine bonding can vary wildly. On one end of the spectrum are those who fall in love with dogs based on their looks, personality or intelligence. On the other end are those who become attached to dogs in order to fill the holes left by emotional wounds. There probably are as many variations of this bond as there are dog owners, and any variation can be unhealthy if proper consideration is not given to providing for the dogs' needs. So, what do dogs need from us?

  • Make your dog work for resources.
  • Build trust with gentle, rewarding training methods.
  • Set firm, consistent boundaries.

Read the complete story in Unleash Magazine.