Adding a furry companion to the family brings both joy and a responsibility to provide them with a healthy and happy life. For a dog, their adopting human family is like a home away from home. And to survive and thrive, they need to trust their hooman caregivers completely. So, how to gain a dog’s trust? How to develop an unbreakable bond between you and your doggo so that they feel safe and secure with you? The answers are here.

In this blog, we have listed some of the reasons why your dog can have trust issues and a few important techniques and tips for how to build trust with your dog.

Why do dogs have trust issues?

Known for their loving and playful nature, most dogs trust their human parents easily. But, each dog has a unique personality and so different trust levels. Here are some reasons why dogs can develop trust issues:

• Lack of socialisation during puppyhood.
• Past trauma associated with events like lost during travel, abusive caregiver, etc.
• Sudden first-time exposure to stressful events like loud noises from fireworks or thunderstorms, road trips, a change of location/home, and other similar events.

Essential tips and techniques to build trust with dogs

Just like human babies, dogs also need a lot of love, care, and warmth in order to adjust to the world around them and lead a happy life. Your canine relies on you for their needs and feels safe when they feel understood. And this trust develops when they have an extraordinary bond with you. Here are some important tips and techniques that will help you build trust with your fur baby and ensure their happiness and well-being.

• Let your dog take the initiative

  When you introduce yourself to your new puppy or a rescued adult dog, do not impose yourself on them. Stay grounded and let your dog take their time to come to you. Once they have sniffed you and are reassured that you are safe to be around, your furry buddy will come to you on their own.

• Maintain a friendly body language

  When your dog approaches you, do not stand and tower over them. This may threaten them. Get down to their level and maintain a friendly and welcoming demeanour. Gently extend your hand and let your fur friend sniff and nuzzle it. Once they are ready to accept the touch, pat and rub around your dog’s neck area. Do not try to pat on their head right away as they might find it threatening. Make sure you observe your dog’s body language at all times. If you find them growling, showing signs of stress like tucked tail or flat ears, or moving away from you; stop immediately and let your pooch go. Try to get friendly some other time when your doggo is ready.

• Follow a routine

  Dogs are creatures of habit and feel relaxed and stress-free when they have a set routine to follow. Prepare a schedule for your dog’s meal times, walk times, training sessions, play times, etc. and make sure to follow it as best as you can. This helps your dog to trust that you will provide for all their needs on set times and there will not be any strange surprises.

• Provide a safe space

  Prepare a dedicated resting area for your pooch where they can relax when they feel anxious or stressed due to the presence of strangers in the house, loud noises, or other similar situations. When your furry companion knows that they have a permanent shelter and you are there to protect them, they develop a feeling of trust in you.

• Involve your dogs in trust-building activities

  Engage your doggo in fun-filled interactive plays with you. Reward your furry buddy with delightful treats whenever they obey your commands, display desirable behaviour, or participate in a play. Positive reinforcement encourages your pooch to please you and build a great bond with you.

• Never punish your dog

  However big a mistake your dog makes, do not punish them. Punishments make your pooch afraid of you and they develop negative feelings for you. Once the trust is eroded, it will be very hard to make your dog believe again that they are safe with you.

• Keep calm and be consistent

  Your fur baby observes your tone of voice to understand your mood and predict your behaviour. Maintain a calm and consistent voice while you are interacting with your canine buddy. If they take time to understand your command, do not yell at them. Let them work at their own pace and do not be unpredictable and scary for them. Also, use clear verbal cues to instruct your pet. Make sure that all family members use common cues to avoid confusion for your fur friend.

Before we part

Dogs love their human companions and share a special bond with them. However, not all dogs are open to trusting their caregivers right away due to past traumatic experiences or lack of social exposure at a young age. It is important for dog parents to build trust with their furry family members to provide them with the healthy and happy life they truly deserve. The tips and techniques mentioned in this blog will help you build a strong bond with your dog and gain their trust for life.