My girls carried out their plan one month later with a puppy for my birthday. This is Ella, a really mini Miniature Australian Shepherd with a really big personality!
When my youngest turned five I knew it was time to get a pet but with 5 kids and the responsibilities that go with them I was not looking forward to adding to my list with a dog. So I researched and found a site where I could put in exactly what I needed — a smart, obedient, playful, patient dog. One that wouldn’t run away every time a child forgot to close the gate! Then I prayed for the best dog ever and we got her–our Gidget–girl midget–Miniature Australian Shepherd.
It didn’t take long for them to start talking about another dog. My husband was adamant–no dog. He knew we were on the road to being empty nesters. He saw no benefit in having a dog to board every time we wanted to visit kids and travel.
It was dark and Mark was already home when we pulled in the drive. We plotted to sneak her into the backyard in the hopes that she would go to the bathroom before we presented her to him. It wouldn’t go well if this first meeting was punctuated by poop on the floor. We got her in the yard but she was overcome by the dark space and yelped. Mark heard. He opened the back door, took one look at the dog, one look at me, turned abruptly around and when back into the house.
My son and I went to the Humane Society. We couldn’t help it. We noticed every time we went that the puppy we had loved the visit before was gone–adopted. Then we saw Katie. My son looked at me and said, “she won’t be here tomorrow.” I knew he was right. He pulled out his wallet and said, “I am going to buy her and I am going to take care of her. She will be my dog.” I was so happy.
Just like in any relationship, the one with your dog should be built on trust. And to help you continue to foster this trust, it’s important to stay consistent with training and expectations. If your dog is shy or timid, it’s even more important to show them that they can trust you. You can earn your shy dog’s trust by recognizing the signs that your dog is uncomfortable. For example, many shy dogs tend to tense up or move away if someone approaches them. Recognizing these reactions can help you intervene and explain to others that your dog is a little shy around new people. Doing this will make your dog feel more comfortable (and more trusting).
You want your dog to bond with the whole family, not just one member. The more you involve everyone — from younger children to teens — the more opportunities you will all have to build a bond. Bring younger kids along for daily walks, and assign dog-related chores they can easily accomplish, like refilling the water bowl. Older kids and teenagers can take a more active role in caring for your pet by taking your dog for walks and helping with grooming, including bath time and brushing.
No wonder dogs are known as “man’s best friend” — the loyalty and companionship between a dog and their owners is often an unbreakable bond. And whether you are a new pet parent or have a few years of experience under your belt, you can always deepen the bond between your family and your dog. Keep reading for a few tried-and-true suggestions.
This might seem like a no-brainer, but bear with us. Think about how you interact with your dog. Are you the one instigating your games of fetch, or is your dog always bringing you a ball and begging to play? The more you interact with your dog — whether that’s playing together outside or cuddling up on the couch — the more your dog will want to interact with you.
Training isn’t just a way to create positive behaviors and good discipline. It’s also a great opportunity to bond with your dog. You get to spend lots of time together mastering new commands and tricks, and all of the positive reinforcement (read: treats and cuddles) will deepen your relationship. Plus, who doesn’t love a dog who can sit, stay and roll over when prompted?
A pet is another member of the family
Raising a pet is like raising a child that never seems to grow up. It takes a lifetime of commitment and requires time and resources. Celebrating birthdays, being a family affair, now includes celebrating their pets birthdays too.
Be it a family vacation, a visit to a beach or a long drive, families tend to take their dogs along with them. Various restaurants are pet-friendly for that matter if you do have a pet.
How to Introduce a Puppy to Your Older Dog.
No wonder dogs are known as “man’s best friend” — the loyalty and companionship between a dog and their owners is often an unbreakable bond. And whether you are a new pet parent or have a few years of experience under your belt, you can always deepen the bond between your family and your dog. Keep reading for a few tried-and-true suggestions.