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It may seem like common sense, but when it comes to behavior, it\u2019s important to remember that dogs express themselves differently from us. This means it\u2019s easy to misinterpret their behavior, especially when they appear to be \u201cacting out\u201d and mouthing, nipping at you, or engaging in rough play.<\/p>\n
In reality, these are attempts to connect and spend time with you, as annoying or misunderstood as they may be. But, there\u2019s good news. It\u2019s easy to overcome these behavioral issues and channel this energy into more positive bonding experiences through routine activities and simple exercises like fresh food training.<\/p>\n
Below, Ollie<\/a> breaks down exactly how to do that, sharing the importance of training in bonding and how to better understand what your dog\u2019s behavior is trying to tell you.<\/p>\n Training isn\u2019t something that ends after puppyhood or once your dog settles into their new home. It\u2019s a lifelong conversation, and can change and adapt to ways that work best for the two of you. At its best, training is a cooperative language you build together, one that lays the foundation for real dog cooperation and lasting connection.<\/p>\n While cues like \u201csit\u201d and \u201cstay\u201d are useful, they\u2019re only the starting point. True training<\/a> goes beyond obedience and focuses on helping your dog develop everyday life skills, like focus, confidence, and decision-making.<\/p>\n Worried that your dog\u2019s nipping or rough play means they\u2019re upset or unhappy? Or wondering if dog mouthing is a sign of affection? Take a deep breath and fret not. Most of the time, all of this behavior actually means the exact opposite. Mouthing, or when your dog puts their mouth on you without aggressive intent, is how puppies play with their littermates. So when your dog does it to you, it\u2019s a clear sign they feel safe, comfortable, and bonded to you.<\/p>\n To limit or put a stop to this kind of behavior, the key is all about redirection, not punishment\u2014and turning all that \u201cmouthy\u201d energy into a bonding moment. Here are a few ways to do that when your dog starts mouthing or engaging in rough play:<\/p>\n Offer up a tug toy or another sturdy toy for a structured game of tug-of-war.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Pause rough play in the moment if it gets too intense, and resume once your dog calms down.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Reward gentle play with praise or treats to reinforce their good behavior.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n It\u2019s easy to get confused about why your dog is so glued to your side. Is it the result of a healthy bond (sometimes called a \u201cvelcro dog\u201d\u2014they can\u2019t seem to stay away), or is it separation anxiety? The differences are clearer than you might think. A bonded dog acts confident and calm, happy to be near you, but secure enough to explore and be on their own. On the other hand, an anxious dog can show frantic behaviors, like pacing, whining, or panicking when you\u2019re out of sight, which are all classic signs your dog is unhappy.<\/p>\n No matter which camp your pup falls into, or if they\u2019re somewhere in between, it\u2019s important to bond and engage with them in ways that promote dog anxiety relief. Keep reading to get into some easy ways to incorporate this into your routine next.<\/p>\n For quality time: The sniffari<\/strong><\/p>\n Taking your pup on a decompression walk or sniffari (aka a sniff-filled outing) is different from taking them on a walk. While classic walks are more focused on exercise and distance, sniffaris are slower and all about letting your dog take the lead and follow their nose. Think of them as a mini adventure for the senses\u2014one that not only satisfies your dog\u2019s natural curiosity but also provides mental stimulation, provides dog anxiety relief, builds confidence, and strengthens your bond.<\/p>\n For dog mental stimulation: Training tricks<\/strong><\/p>\n Whether your pup went through an intensive bootcamp training or you\u2019ve taught them the basics yourself, it\u2019s important to promote dog mental stimulation through continued training<\/a>. Try sharpening their skills or teaching them something new, be it refreshing their greeting skills (no jumping on new friends) or finally getting them to master the paw shake.<\/p>\n For dog relaxation: Grooming or massages<\/strong><\/p>\n Take matters into your own hands and create an at-home spa-inspired experience for the ultimate in dog relaxation. Think light grooming activities, like gently brushing out their coat, moisturizing and massaging dry paws, or giving them a full-body massage<\/a> (combined with a thorough belly rub, of course).<\/p>\n For focus and engagement: Hand feeding<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s no secret that pups are extremely motivated by food, which makes it a great way to train and connect with your dog. Rewarding good behavior with treats is a classic, but hand-feeding your dog fresh meals is a more hands-on way to bond. When food is shared intentionally, rather than simply delivered in a bowl, it becomes a moment of connection and turns everyday meals into meaningful time together.<\/p>\n If you choose to give your pup treats\u2014either from the pet food aisle or from your table\u2014be mindful of which foods are toxic to dogs to avoid unintentional digestive issues or other adverse side effects. Additionally, Ollie in-house veterinarians and scientists recommend keeping treats to no more than 10% of your dog\u2019s diet to ensure they receive the proper nutrients without consuming excess calories.<\/p>\n For interactive play: Fetch and tug<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s not a secret: Dogs love to play, and they especially love playing with you. Engaging in regular, daily play not only strengthens your bond with your pup, but it also provides crucial mental stimulation and can help them overcome behavioral issues like anxiety. Fetch and pulling on a tug toy are classics, but it\u2019s worth it to experiment with different games and toys to figure out exactly what your dog loves.<\/p>\n For physical touch: Downtime cuddles<\/strong><\/p>\n Bonding with your dog doesn\u2019t always mean go, go, go. Sometimes the best connections happen when you hit pause together. Your pup loves being near you, whether that means lounging on the couch or snuggling up in bed. Adding in gentle pets, ear scratches, or a good belly rub can make their day. And fun fact: A study published in a 2024 issue of Scientific Reports found that, during interactions, the heart rate variability\u200b\u200b of owners and their dogs<\/a> mirror one another, so resting side by side with your dog can actually sync your heart rates, meaning your downtime is fostering a literal heartbeat connection.<\/p>\n Creating a lasting bond with your pup isn\u2019t necessarily a linear process. Dogs have their moods and preferences. Some days your dog may love training with you, and other days they might not be in the mood to put in the work. Respect what your dog is telling you, and give them breaks or change activities when you need to. By respecting their choices, you\u2019ll build a mutual, healthy relationship that they genuinely love being a part of.<\/p>\n This story<\/em><\/a> was produced by <\/em>Ollie<\/em><\/a> and reviewed and distributed by <\/em>Stacker<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n How to bond with your dog It may seem like common sense, but when it comes to behavior, it\u2019s important to remember that dogs express themselves differently from us. This means it\u2019s easy to misinterpret their behavior, especially when they appear to be \u201cacting out\u201d and mouthing, nipping at you, or engaging in rough play. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4991,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4990","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pets-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4990","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4990"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4990\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4991"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4990"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4990"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4990"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Dog cooperation and trust through training<\/h3>\n
Decoding \u201crough love\u201d and overcoming behavioral issues<\/h3>\n
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\u201cVelcro\u201d dogs vs. pups with separation anxiety<\/h3>\n
5 activities to strengthen your bond with your dog<\/h3>\n
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