How to Build a Relationship With a Dog

By eHow Pets Editor

Instructions

Step 1:
Build a sense of trust with your dog. He needs to know that you are there to take care of him and keep him safe. Feed him, give him fresh water and give him a warm place to sleep to instill trust.
Step 2:
Teach your dog simple commands and behaviors beginning the day you bring her home. Ignore any behavior your dog shows that you find unacceptable or bad. Praise her for good behavior with food or affection. If her action receives positive attention, she will repeat that action to get the response she wants.
Step 3:
Develop communication with your dog. Establish a different tone and hand gestures for positive and negative reinforcement to help him differentiate whether his actions were good or bad.
Step 4:
Spend quality time with your dog by taking her on a walk, going to the park or throwing a ball. Set up a routine with your dog that she can look forward to and know what comes next.
Step 5:
Massage your dog to show affection. A massage can help your dog to feel comfortable with you and strengthen your bond with him. This also gives him the one-on-one time dogs thrive on.

Tips & Warnings

Ignore bad behavior instead of saying, "No." Any attention, even negative, can reinforce bad behavior.
When giving positive or negative reinforcement, always use the proper tone you have established for good and bad. This way your dog knows whether he has done something acceptable or unacceptable.

More Puppy Pages

How to Treat Your Pets

Instructions Things You’ll Need: Leash Collar Treats Food Water Step 1: Reward the behaviors you wish to reinforce in your pets. For example, if the dog sits immediately when commanded, give him a treat. Always have a few treats on hand when...

How to Train a Dog Using Operant Conditioning

Instructions Step 1: Use positive reinforcement. Dogs respond to rewards for good behavior. Training with positive reinforcement serves to strengthen the behavior that produced the reward. Step 2: Follow up with negative reinforcement. Contrary to...

Instructions Step 1: Reinforce desired behavior with a positive consequence. For example, rewarding your dog with a treat after he performs a desired behavior will cause him to perform the desired behavior again. Each time you do this will strengthen the...

Instructions Step 1: Make sure your dog isn't just being a puppy. Puppies are naturally rambunctious. However, after your pet turns 9 months old, it should begin to calm down and listen to you. If the hyperactivity persists, you probably have an...

Instructions Step 1: Practice voice commands with your small dog in a safe area before taking him out for a walk. Being consistent in how you issue commands will build an association in the dog's mind. Step 2: Attach a harness that fits snugly but not...