10 Ways to Bond With Your New Dog

Last updated on July 24, 2021 By Puppy Leaks 17 Comments

Getting a new dog is an exciting time, but it can be a bit overwhelming. We all want to start things off on the right foot, and for many of us that means creating a strong bond with our new best friend.

Like any relationship creating a deep bond takes time, but there are some pretty simple ways to start strengthening that bond from day one. From creating a routine to remembering to be consistent, here’s 10 ways to bond with your new dog.

1. Be Patient With Your New Dog

When it comes to bonding with a new dog patience is key. For some dogs it’ll happen overnight, and for some it may take a few weeks or even months.

Each dog has it’s own personality, and some dogs take longer than others to warm up to new people and surroundings. Just like us, when dogs are put in a new situation there’s an adjustment period. So before we get into some of the fun ways to bond with your new dog I want to emphasize how important it is to have patience.

Not all dogs bond immediately with a new owner – don’t take it personally. They’re in a brand new environment getting used to new sights, smells, and sounds. It can be a stressful time for your new dog, and you can help make them comfortable by keeping things calm and positive during those first couple of days.

I know it’s tempting to go out and do all of the things with your new dog, but sometimes patience is key. If your dog seems shy or fearful take it slow; give them some time to adjust to their new home and family. Although it’s tempting don’t overwhelm them by inviting everyone over to meet your new dog on the first day if they’re showing any signs of stress or fearfulness.

2. Stick to a Schedule

Dogs love having a routine, so sticking to a set schedule from day one can help your new dog adjust. Routines provide comfort, and they’ll teach your dog what’s expected of them at any given time. Since dogs thrive on routine the sooner your new dog learns how your home functions the more comfortable he’ll be. You can help your new dog adjust to your home by:

• Feeding at the same time every day
• Going outside for potty breaks consistently
• Going for your daily walk at the same time
• Going to bed around the same time each night

This also includes exercise time, cuddle time or any other daily games or activities she’ll be involved with. I know many owners want to spend as much time as possible with their new dog, and that’s wonderful. But try to incorporate at least some of your normal activities into the day during those first few weeks to help your dog adjust to what will become her normal routine.

3. Be Consistent With Rules

When it comes to bonding with your new dog remember to be consistent and clear. Make sure everyone in the family is on the same page when it comes to training. Have a family sit down and make sure everyone agrees on what behaviors are not OK, and which ones to reward. The quickest way to confuse and frustrate a dog is to have a different set of rules depending on whose giving out the orders.

If you don’t want your dog on the furniture be sure everyone sticks to that rule, and make sure everyone is rewarding the same behaviors. It’s not fair to your dog to punish them for a behavior you disapprove of but your husband encourages. You can avoid frustration by ensuring that everyone in the family agrees on what behaviors are acceptable.

4. Give Your Dog Their Own Space

Imagine yourself in your dogs shoes (or paws) for a moment – surrounded by strangers in a new place where everything is unknown. It’s a bit scary to say the least. Some dogs may feel overwhelmed those first couple of days, and one way to help alleviate some of that fear is by giving them their own special place.

To make your new dog more comfortable consider give him his own comfy bed, crate, or safe spot where he can retreat to when he’s tired. Some dogs need a place to just chill out every once in a while, especially with the stress of being in a new environment. If your dog does retreat to his special place remember not to take it personally and give him some time to decompress – being in a brand new place can be overwhelming.

5. Engage Your Dog In Play

One of the funnest ways to bond with your new dog is to engage in some interactive play with them. Some dogs will be ready to play the instant they come home, and others might need to be coaxed. If your dog isn’t willing to play it may be because he’s still overwhelmed by his new surroundings; let him settle in for a bit and try again later.

If you want to engage your dog in play try a simple game of chase/fetch. Try rolling a toy around on the ground and see if you can get them excited about chasing it. If they’re still not interested show them how it’s done; chase the toy yourself to show them how much fun it is. Here’s some other fun dog games to try with your new dog:

• Frisbee
• Find It (hiding treats)
• Tug of War
• Food dispensing toys (the Bob A Lot is my favorite)

6. Relax Together

When it comes to bonding with a new dog it’s hard to go wrong with just spending some quality one on one time chilling out together. Invite your dog up onto the couch with you for some cuddle time, or get down onto the ground and invite your dog over to show off your doggie massage techniques.

Laika and I have our own cuddle time on the couch every evening. Chilling out is a nice way to spend some quality time together before bed, and by working it into your routine you can teach your dog that 9PM (or whatever time you choose) is time for settling down.

7. Exercise With Your Dog

Giving your dog enough physical exercise is important to their well-being, and there’s plenty of ways to make it a fun bonding experience. And it’s good for you too, all that fresh air and physical activity can be quite the stress reliever.

One of the best ways to bond with your new dog is to take them out for a walk to explore their new neighborhood. Since they’re unfamiliar with the area be sure to give them some extra time to explore and check out all the exciting new sights & smells. Other fun ways to exercise with your dog include:

• Frisbee
• Fetch
• Swimming
• Jogging
• Tug of war

If the weather is bad don’t worry; there’s still plenty of ways to keep your dog active. Be sure to check our out list of 33 ways to keep your dog active indoors.

8. Practice Some Hand Feeding

Hand feeding your dog is simply feeding your dog out of your hand, and it’s especially useful for shy or fearful dogs. It’s an exercise that will build trust between you and your dog, and it’s a good way to start strengthening that bond.

If you’re not too keen on having your dog take food directly out of your hand you can have your dog sit nicely as you give them treats. That closeness still builds trust (and can improve their manners), and helps to teach your dog that you are the provider of good things (which is very helpful when it comes to training).

9. Work on Some Simple Tricks

Puppies aren’t too young to learn some basic tricks, and training is a great way to bond with your new dog. Just be mindful that their attention span is limited, so remember to keep your training sessions on the short side. You’ll also want to teach your dog to come when called, so it’s a good idea to start laying down the foundation for a reliable recall.

Not sure where to begin with training your new dog? Here’s some of the simple tricks you can start with:

• Sit
• Stay
• Lie Down
• Shake

Once your dog knows the basics you can start working on some more challenging tricks. Here’s a great list of 52 tricks you can teach your dog.

10. Encourage Behaviors You Like

When you bring your new dog home remember that they don’t know what the rules are, and they’re not going to be familiar with your preferences. If your dog goes something you approve of be sure to let them know with verbal praise or affection.

If your dog waits patiently as you prepare dinner let them know what a good girl they are. And if your dog sits nicely as you put on his leash before taking him out let him know he’s a good boy. By clearly communicating with your dog that they’re doing something good you can encourage them to repeat those desired behaviors later on.

Be Patient, Consistent and Positive

Each dog is different, and they each come with their own experiences and personalities. Your dog might start to settle in and bond with you in an hour, or it may take months.

Give your new dog some time, consistency, a steady schedule, and his own space and he’ll start to feel settled in his new environment. Stay positive and be patient; your new dog will be your best friend before you know it.

Resources & Recommended Reading

If you’re looking for more information on bonding with your new dog be sure to check out these great resources:

• 10 Ways to Help Your Dog Adjust to Their New Home – Puppy Leaks
• How to Bond With Your New Dog – Pet Helpful
• Help Your Rescue Dog Bond & Adjust – Texas Animal Guardians

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