Building a Bond Through Gentle Training and Enrichment
Training isn’t about dominance or commands; it’s about communication. Using positive reinforcement methods is the most effective and humane way to build a strong bond with your dog. This simply means you mark and reward the behaviors you like, making your dog more likely to offer them again. It’s a wonderful way to engage their mind and strengthen your connection.
Keep training sessions short and fun—just five or ten minutes once or twice a day is perfect. Always end on a positive note, with a behavior your dog knows well. This keeps them excited for the next session.
Mini-Example: A 5-Minute “Sit” Training Session
Here’s how you can teach the “sit” cue using a food lure, a core positive reinforcement technique:
Step 1: Get a few small, high-value treats that your dog loves. Stand in a quiet area without distractions.
Step 2: Hold a treat near your dog’s nose. Slowly move your hand up and back over their head. Their head will follow the treat, and as it goes up, their rear end will naturally go down into a sit.
Step 3: The exact moment their bottom touches the floor, say an enthusiastic “Yes!” or use a clicker. This is the “marker” that tells them what they did right.
Step 4: Immediately give them the treat. The marker (“Yes!”) followed by the reward (treat) is what builds the connection.
Step 5: Repeat this 3-5 times. Then, toss a treat a short distance away to “reset” them. After a few successful repetitions, end the session with praise and petting. Once your dog is reliably following the lure, you can start adding the verbal cue (“Sit”) right before you move your hand.
Low-Impact Enrichment for a Happy Dog
As we discussed, mental exercise is just as important as physical exercise. Enrichment helps prevent boredom, reduces anxiety, and builds confidence. The best part is that many enrichment activities are low-impact and perfect for dogs and owners of all mobility levels.
Food Puzzles: Instead of feeding your dog from a bowl, use a puzzle toy or a snuffle mat. These require your dog to sniff, nudge, and paw to get their food, which is mentally stimulating and satisfying.
“Find It” Game: While your dog is in another room, hide a few smelly treats around the living room. Then let them in and say “Find it!” Encourage them as they use their nose to hunt for the goodies.
Chewing: Provide a variety of safe chew toys. Chewing is a natural de-stressor for dogs. Always supervise your dog with new chews to ensure they are safe.
A “Sniffari” Walk: On your daily walks, dedicate some time to letting your dog lead the way. Let them sniff a single blade of grass for five minutes if they want to. This allows them to explore the world through their most powerful sense and is incredibly enriching.