what do you do to bond with your dog?

[melvinsmom]

Hi, I have a 10 month old rottie male, and up until two months ago I was pretty much home during the day with him. Anyways a work change occurred so now I primarily see him in the evenings while my bf is at home to take care of him. I want him to still be as receptive to me as before so everytime I'm there I take him for a walk, I work with a trainer who comes over once a week, and I probably take him to the petstore about once a week with me. however, despite this I can see that he is more responsive to my bf. What can I do to make my bond with the dog stronger now I do don't have hours upon hours to spend with him?

Thanks!

[AngelBunny]

I'm the primary care giver of the dogs in our home that includes our two personal bitches and a male foster. I feed, groom, train, walk, take dogs to vet, and play with all the dogs far more than does my DH. All the dogs love DH, but they are all clearly more bonded to me and interested in being with me.

As an example, when I have a migraine and DH is sleeping in the guest bedroom downstairs so I can have it as quiet as I need (the sounds he makes snoring rival that generated by clearcutting an old growth forest), all the dogs are in the bedroom with me. This is true if I’m sleeping in the guest bedroom, too.

[moz205]

Play ball! Buddy just loves it. Of course other than training time and usual walks.

[Ayoka]

I too (as a rule) am the primary caregiver...I feed, water and exercise the dog. If my BF is home from work he will refill water bowls and let the dog out to pee but I am still the one to feed the dog before I go to work and when I return home - not so mcuh because he can't or won't (he does when I am travelling on business) but because I'm sure if we were both in the habit of feeding then our dog would end up with 2 suppers a day!

I also will take the dog with me in the car on cool days when I run errands. It's silly because he's in a kennell in the car but he truly LOVES a car ride.

Overall I think it's the training we do so much of - I think it has clearly defined me as his "leader" even though my BF is great with him and they get along wonderfully.

[rottgirl]

Give him the better treats!!! hahaha

They way Paradise and I bond are walks and training.

Michele

[jlhnokc]

I don't mean to sound mean at all, and I am not saying this is the case for sure but dogs can have their preferences on humans just like humans can have preferences with their dogs. Schatzey, my min. Schnauzer used to be my baby. She hated for me to go anywhere without her. When I started dating my boyfriend, he feel in love with her. And I started letting her stay with him from time to time. Well, she could go to work with him and be with him all day, at my house she was alone for a good 9 hours. And now she obviously prefers him. She will always know who "momma" is and always love me I know, but she's a daddy's girl. Me, I have to accept it.

[Shelby427]

we both share responsibilities almost equally. I do the morning walks and feedings, bf does the evening walks and feedings if he has an early shift (if he works late then I do it) but to spend time with them (especially shelby since hudson now requires all of our attention) I take her to the park to play ball without Hud, or I take just her for a short walk. At night when we go to bed and in the mornings she will snuggle in bed with me (Hudson is crated at night) so that's our special time. I think (so far) both dogs respond to us pretty much equally at this point.

[jlaack]

I'm jealous of MOST of you! I am the primary caregiver to both our boys: I walk them, groom them, train them, take them swimming, take them for car rides, make their meals, feed them, etc. 90% of the time yet I'm not as much as a favorite as their daaady. He is gone a lot so a five minute belly rub from him is very coveted. Don't get me wrong my dogs like me a lot but he is the novelty.

[SABELLESMOM]

Lots!! I do agility and conformation showing. There is some grooming, nails to be dremeled, teeth to be brushed, all of which I make FUN!

My one girl showed only, and the other is so active I chose to do agility as well. Raven enjoys agility! She's my "intensity girl" and loves to puzzle out what I want her to do. Once she gets it? She never forgets. It's as if she's proud of herself for being so smart. She's right!

Sable enjoys agility, but only in the back yard. It's fun for her to do something and be actively engaged. She's happy as long as her activities are relaxed and informal. She is older, and content with walks and just being with her family.

Rave, on the other hand, is so intense and focused. She needs something physically strenuous and mentally challenging. She is from a Schutzhund line, titles in every dog for many generations.

Beyond that, my girls go everywhere they can with me. We have a huge fenced yard, they play and we train. We have play dates with some of their classmate friends, and they sleep with me. They spend their evenings with me. I believe they sleep while I'm at work.

In short, just make the dog part of your life! Make training fun! Take the dog with you when you go to wash the car, or to buy gas. Play with them. I even play games inside on dreary, rainy days. We bring in a puppy tire or a jump and set it up. Ball tossing and stretchy snakes are fun too.

Have fun!

PS: I work.

[GypsysMom]

I take Gypsy( female 19 months) trainng once a week to class and I do 1 hour a day training with her, we play ball and she lays on the couch with me downstairs, I do take her with me at times depending on the weather and where Im going, With Cash, (10.5 weeks) Him and Gypsy are seperated and he is still young and sleeps alot, with him He comes out and plays with me in the morning while Gypsy is playing in her kennel then we alternate play times

[groupieindenial]

I find that our true bonding moments are times when we've accomplished something together. For example, the first time he caught a ball in mid-air, he piddled himself with excitement. I praised him like he did the moste amazing thing, as he thought he did. It also instills trust, and loyalty that will pay-off in training. There are many examples of bonding, but it comes down to doing something together you both enjoy immensely.

[Melsmom]

Your dog's name is Melvin? That is mine also, Mel for short. When he was healthy before his heart problem, we jogged 2 miles 4 mornings a week before work. He absolutely loved this, he really looked forward to it, it was just the two of us and we have been so very close ever since. He cannot run anymore, but now we spend time cuddling in the evening after work.

[jazzking1971]

Schutzhund club has been an enourmous bonding experience. On top of that trips to the desert or river has been great. Playing tug, tracking or just throwing a ball.

[Troodie's Mom]

Troodie loves to play outside, I bought her a giant-sized tennis ball and she loves to chase it, and she loves to catch it. We play silly games in the house. I walk around with my arms out like Frankenstein and she goes nuts and headbutts my legs
and makes growly noises, she loves to cuddle, not all of them do, but she does, sometimes I'll toss a plastic lid down the length of the hallway and she tears after it.

[michael1]

To me it's a natural thing for them to bond more with one particular person. Take me now i only have one dog and me and my son both feed her give water take her out to potty etc. but she knows i'm the leader so she bonds more with me as all my dogs i have ever had has done i think it's just natural. Now my wife daughter and son are home more than me cause i work like six days a week. and at night but she clings to me the most then my son and my wife and daughter last.