Andrea McHugh explores ideas on how to develop an even closer relationship with your pet.
CARING FOR YOUR PET
On the arrival of a new puppy or rescue dog, so much of our time and energy is devoted to them, but once dogs are fully grown, and have settled into a routine, they can sometimes get left to their own devices. So, how can we use our time wisely to enrich our relationship even more?
A MATTER OF TRUST
Gill Crawford is the owner of the K9 Pursuits Dog Day Care and Training Centre in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, and together with best friend and business partner Andrea Rogers has formed close bonds with hundreds of dogs.
“Building and maintaining a good relationship with your dog starts as soon as you meet them,” advised Gill. “Dogs need to trust you to guide them and help them to make the right choices, and for you to help them if they don’t. Encourage understanding and be prepared to negotiate. For example, if my own dog becomes disengaged when we’re training or competing in heelwork to music, there’s no point in me getting frustrated and trying to make her carry on. I need to work out why she’s disengaged, or just respect the fact that she’s had enough.
“I have six dogs of my own, and also have to create a bond with all the dogs we have in for day care and training. Developing a relationship with multiple dogs is interesting, as each dog needs to be allowed to develop as an individual so they can grow, learn, and become the dog they are within.
“When it comes to creating a closer bond with your dog, my advice is to look at the things your dog enjoys doing and provide the opportunities to do them. We offer lots of different daily activities, such as scent work, swimming, agility, and one-to-one time, but the dogs will tell us what they like doing and we never force them to do anything they don’t want to do. Listening to dogs is a skill, and to remind us we have a saying on the wall by the author Orhan Pamuk, which says: ‘Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen!’
“As carers we are there to support, nurture, and be a part of an amazing journey. When I see all the dogs arrive each day and watch them run towards me with their tails wagging, it’s the best feeling in the world!”
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
If we asked our dogs what would enrich their relationship with us, most would probably put food at the top of their list. Clearly, we are already feeding our dogs, but what can we do to make the experience even more enjoyable?
Your Dog contributor and canine nutritionist Dr Jacqueline Bo
