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Quick Take

• Strengthening the bond between you and your dog is an important part of pet ownership.

• There are many small ways you can help your dog feel safer, more loved, and more cared for in your home.

• Dogs can actually read humans’ expressions, so it’s important to manage your own stress in their presence.

As pet parents, bonding with our fur babies is perhaps one of the most rewarding experiences, and when it comes to pups, the connection is unlike any other. In fact, it’s why you often hear the phrase, “A dog is a man’s best friend.”

Looking to improve the bond you share with your dog? Here are five daily habits that strengthen the human-dog bond over time—and that your pup will never forget.

1. Offering Safety and Grounding Energy

If you want to bond with your dog, you’ll have to work on your own energy first. Research published in the journal Scientific Reports found that dogs can actually smell human stress. What’s more, it impacts their cognition and learning skills.

“If you’ve ever wondered why your dog is acting strangely, a bit aloof, stressed out, or out of sorts, it could well be that something’s actually bothering you and they’re simply mirroring your behavior back to you,” says Liz Clifton, Founder of Family Dog Connection Limited and accredited animal energy healing and animal communication practitioner. “In the first instance, I always remember to check in with myself first if this happens (and remind my clients to as well), and at least 9 times out of 10 I find that I’m a little extra tired, dehydrated, hormonal. Then once I support myself with the appropriate self-care, a gentle breath, a glass of water, nourishing food, their behavior suddenly softens and returns to their normal calm again.”

Clifton recommends checking in with yourself before entering your dog’s space. If you’re feeling off, take some time to de-stress. Be aware of how you’re showing up for your pup. For example, you wouldn’t want to express too much stress around your children; the same goes for your dog. Your anxiety might impact their mood and put them on edge.

2. Using Gentle, Slow Movements

When you use gentle, slow movements around your dog, you’re essentially teaching them to trust you. The less chaotic, frantic, or rushed you are, the more at ease they might feel. In fact, research published in Evolutionary Human Sciences shows that dogs can actually functionally read and respond to human expressions.

“The way I see it is that [dogs] are highly attuned to our mood, and they see, hear, and notice so many silent signals, too,” says Clifton. “Many years ago, people would have been more tuned into these different sensors, but our modern society is now based heavily on language and screens. It can be easy to forget simple things like our tone, speed of movement, and body language.”

If you want your dog to feel safe enough to bond with you, be gentle and intentional with them.

3. Speak in a Soothing, Calming Tone

A study in Animal Cognition suggests that dog-directed speech, which includes that classic sing-song tone, “improves dogs’ attention and may strengthen the affiliative bond between humans and their pets.” In other words, the way we speak to our dogs might impact how well they bond with us.

“As they’re highly wired for survival through their genetics and epigenetics, [animals] often know to stay away from anger, fear, and frustration, especially rescue animals,” says Clifton. “So a soothing, calm tone and also silent connection time can help you build a stronger bond with your dog(s) and help you enjoy more natural experiences together.”

The way I see it is that [dogs] are highly attuned to our mood, and they see, hear, and notice so many silent signals, too.

Liz Clifton, Founder of Family Dog Connection Limited and accredited animal energy healing and animal communication practitioner

4. Embrace Silence Together

Clifton adds that silence is a great way to help dogs feel safe enough to bond with their humans. Have you noticed that your closest people make you safe enough to enjoy silence, not to fill the space with constant chatter? Spending quiet downtime with your pup can cultivate a similar bonding experience.

“Sitting silently with our first Romanian street rescue dog, Zara, really helped her to relax and trust us,” she says. “It removes extra triggers and sensory noise, creating a calmer, simpler connection space.”

5. Provide Sensory Activities

Another simple way to connect with your dog is through sensory activities. You know how humans often use the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique to ease a panic attack? Think of sensory exercises as a form of self-care for your pup.

“For dogs, stress-releasing sensory activities that you can offer in your quiet time together are chewing a dog-safe chew, digging in a dog-safe area, yawning, moving, sniffing dog-safe resources and scents, and licking dog-safe licks and pastes,” Clifton says. “The more enjoyable, safe, gentle self-care opportunities you can create together, the stronger your bond will be and the more you’ll both get to enjoy it.”

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