Having a good relationship with your dog means taking responsibility, as the owner, and provide them the best care. First, you need to establish non-violent dominance and discipline rules, which will make the dog feel comfortable and safe. Taking care of your dog’s health by properly feeding them and bringing them to the vet regularly is also a key component of a good relationship. Not least, playing and spending time together regularly is also vital to have the best possible relationship.

Discipline your dog. Establish non-violent domination. It is important to assert your leadership over your dog, right from the beginning of your relationship, without the use of physical force. Dogs need consistent structure and discipline to feel safe and comfortable in your home. Without them, their behavior can become unjust and unpredictable (for example, aggressiveness, hyperactivity).

Train your dog. Training your dog to respond to commands is a great way to bon with them and ensure easier communication. Teach your pet basic commands – “Sit”, “Stay”, “Lay down”, “Heel” and “Come here” – using correction and reward (non-violent) – correction of should only involve firm speech, not anger or physical force.

If you encounter problems with training your dog, turn to a dog training Colorado professional.

Use positive reinforcement. As a means of encouraging good behavior, strongly reward them for creating positive associations with being obedient. Rewards should include praise, caress, toys and treats. Do not use harsh punishments for bad behavior. Reprimanding your dog can be effective if you catch them in the act of doing something wrong. Simply say “No!”, in a clear and firm way. Overreacting will only scare the dog and make them lose confidence in you, in which case your bond will suffer.

Exercise with your dog. Exercise improves mental and physical health for dogs and owners alike, and promotes better sleep, digestion and behavior. How much exercise a dog requires depends on its breed, but, as a general rule, the dog should be getting at least 30-60 minutes of exercise per day. In addition to daily walks, try jogging with your pet or hiking outdoors.

Play with your dog. This is a great way to have fun and maintain a good relationship with your pet. There are games that dogs play almost instinctively, such as Fetch or Tug of War, but you can go beyong and try other games too, in order to keep things fun and varied. For example, play hide and seek! During the game, the dog will be very attentive to your voice, and the game will work both their brains and their senses. Many dog trainers in Colorado also recommend obstacle races, with the help of which you can practice the basic training commands.

Be affectionate. Petting your dog regularly can improve your bond and reduce stress for both of you. Living in a family has been proved to reduce heart and cortisol levels in shelter dogs. Use praise and caress as often as possible to strengthen the good behavior of the dog and improve their confidence.