How to Build a Better Bond With Your Dog Through Training

There’s nothing quite like the bond that we share with our dogs. Not only does it put a smile on our face every single day and help us just feel better all around, but there are also several health benefits found in recent scientific studies.

According to the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), positive interactions between pets and people are connected with reduced heart rate and blood pressure. Additionally, research has demonstrated a meaningful association between having pets and better social support, emotional well-being, and overall well-being.

This post is sponsored by Sleepypod. Sleepypod is teaming up with the new Amazon original unscripted competitive reality series, The Pack, available only on Prime Video. The Pack exemplifies the human-animal bond as it follows 12 dogs and their human companions tackling challenges together while traveling around the globe. The series will premiere on November 20.

Though there are many ways to build and strengthen your bond, training your dog is one of the best and easiest places to start.

We had the opportunity to chat with Nick Benger and Nicole Ellis, who are the Dog Trainers and Safety & Wellness Experts on The Pack, about why you should consider adding training to your daily routine, even if just for 5 minutes a day.

Let’s start at the beginning. Why is this important? Other than the potential health benefits displayed in the HABRI studies we wanted to know, what are other relationship benefits dog parents see who spend regular time training their dog?

“There are countless benefits of spending more time training your dog including building your trust together which combined will allow you to have your dog join you on more adventures, including vacations, road trips, dining out together, getting coffee together, hiking, paddleboarding, and more. Of course, you’ll want to do some training in the car too to ensure a smooth ride to your adventures, I suggest using the crash tested Sleepypod harness or carrier for your furry family member.”

– Nicole Ellis, Dog Trainer, Safety and Wellness Expert on The Pack

Those 5 minutes a day we mentioned? Just doing those 5 minutes can help grow that trust between you and your dog, and going on adventures together will create wonderful memories.

We also mentioned that a strong bond with our dog can lead to health benefits and happiness for both of us, but knowing that made us wonder: how can training actually help improve the relationship we have with our dog?

“Relationships are built on shared positive experiences. Training your dog with rewards builds positive associations with you and leads to a better behaved dog which in turn will help you build a better relationship with them.

After a long time training my Labrador, Chester, daily he has come to read me so well that often he does what I ask before I even have a chance to ask it. This is endearing and very profitable for him in the doggy currencies of cheese, cuddles and games.”

– Nick Benger, Dog Trainer, Safety and Wellness Expert on The Pack

That explains exactly why it’s so important to start training right after you get a new dog – no matter their age. But, so many people often tackle the basics – like sit, down, and stay – and then leave it right there and actually stop training. If our bond with our dog is built on positive experiences like positive reinforcement training, then shouldn’t we keep training throughout our dog’s lifetime? Spoiler alert: yes we should.

So why is it important to train your dog beyond basic obedience?

“Training isn’t just about functionality, or doing enough to get by. Good dog training is one big game that has the power to enrich your dog’s life more than anything else. Once you realize how life enriching training is, the destination (or what you train) becomes far less important than the journey itself. Which is why I encourage you to just get out there and do more with your dog.”

– Nick Benger, Dog Trainer, Safety and Wellness Expert on The Pack

In other words, you and your dog should keep training for the entire length of your relationship and really just keep doing various activities together.

Recently we chatted with Kama Rueschenberg on an episode of COFFEE Chats about how agility can be a perfect opportunity for dog parents and their dogs to keep training and keep improving their bond just by spending time together.

We know agility training isn’t for everyone, so we wanted to know what are some other ideas? Once dog parents and their dogs have achieved basic commands, such as sit, down, and stay, what tricks or other forms of training should they attempt next?

“My suggestion is always to try new things as dogs like people are individuals. You might hate piano lessons but love basketball, or vice versa.

There are two things I would suggest though…

1. Scentwork is an activity in which you teach your dog to find a specific scent. Imagine the drug detection dog searching a room, except in a class you will usually use an essential oil or catnip scent. I’m yet to see a dog that didn’t thoroughly enjoy scentwork. The act of using their nose to find something is just so instinctively rewarding that most dogs love it.

2. Train your dog for visits to the groomers or veterinarian. Approach vet inspections, injections, nail trimming etc. with the same approach as you would teaching a new cute trick. Make it fun, build positive associations at home and your vet and groomer will love you for it.”

– Nick Benger, Dog Trainer, Safety and Wellness Expert on The Pack

Agility, scentwork, and training for specific events such as vet visits are just a few ideas for ways to incorporate training into each and every day.

If you’d like a few more ideas on nurturing your bond with your dog, along with suggestions on how to make training more accessible even if for just 5 minutes, be sure to catch our latest episode of Pet Voices PRESENTS.

If you’re looking for a show to watch while snuggled up on the couch after a training exercise or two, be sure to check out the Amazon Original series The Pack on Prime Video starting November 20.

How often do you train your dog?

For more information on Sleepypod and The Pack:

Sleepypod – sleepypod.com

Amazon Prime Video’s The Pack – amazon.com/thepack