11 Ways To Bond With Your Black Labrador

1. Hand Feeding

I am a huge advocate of hand feeding. For rescue dogs and puppies in particular, but even for a dog who you have shared a home with for several months or even years.

It makes spending time with you even more rewarding. Small pauses in the flow of treats encourage them to make eye contact with you, which you can immediately reward with more of their meal.

You can do this with their regular food rations if it’s kibble, with a few dog treats, cut up cold meats or even with dog-safe fruits or vegetables in small quantities. Make sure it’s something your dog enjoys eating, and they will find spending that time with you even more rewarding than normal.

2. Use Positive Reinforcement

The world of dog training has changed hugely in the last twenty years, with most of us using positive reinforcement rather than traditional more punishment based techniques.

One of the best side effects of this is that it keeps the bond between you and your dog strong. You are a source of good experiences.

The dog does not fear the consequences of accidentally upsetting you, instead they seek out ever new ways to please you and reap the rewards!

Here’s more information: How To Discipline A Dog And Stay Friends And you can find a lot more information about effective positive reinforcement training over on Pippa’s Dogsnet website.

3. Checking In

During the day or when out and about, make sure you always reward your dog for checking in with you. Whether it’s with a small piece of kibble, a quick pat, ear scratch or kind word.

Whatever your dog enjoys, remember they are all individuals just like us.

When you are out and about with your dog, and you know they are going to be off leash at some point, then it’s very important to always have some tasty edible rewards to hand. Then you can make sure that ‘check ins’ where the dog returns to you of their own free will, are very rewarding indeed.

If your dog rarely checks in on you during an off leash walk this is a strong sign that you need to be more generous with rewards. And you can trigger more of those check ins using the About Turn Walk technique

4. Training

Whether it’s agility, obedience, or scent work, taking a class together provides structured bonding time, new challenges, and a deeper understanding of each other.

Learning tricks like “shake a paw,” “roll over,” or “play dead” is a great mental workout and a fun way to interact, showing them that learning with you is enjoyable.

Dogs, especially Labs, love having a purpose. This could be carrying a toy on a walk, helping you “find” your keys, or even just waiting patiently for their dinner.

You’ll find lots more information in our Labrador Training pages

5. Respect Your Dog’s Boundaries

Pay close attention to your dog’s subtle cues – ear positions, tail wags, eye contact, posture. Understanding what they’re trying to communicate deepens your connection and builds trust.

Most dogs love human affection, but they each have their personal limits. Your black Lab might love a big full bodied hug, but actually it’s more likely their contact of choice would be more like a nice neck scratch or the opportunity to lean on your legs.

Watch your dog’s body language to know exactly what is working for them, and most importantly, what isn’t.

6. Teach Your Dog To Relax

Black Labs tend to be very active and excitable, especially during their earlier years.

It’s always fascinating to see how their bond with their owners grow when they are given the opportunity to chill out for a bit. You can find two important guides on this topic here:

• How To Calm Down A Dog
• Teach Your Dog To Relax

7. Exercise

Break out of the usual walking routine and discover new parks, trails, or neighborhoods. New sights and smells provide mental stimulation and shared adventures.

Play a game of fetch, or add in a tug session every few days. Anything that is active that you can do together will help to establish that bond between you.

8. Scent Games

Dogs experience the world through their nose. Hide treats or their favorite toy and encourage them to find it. This mental stimulation is highly rewarding for them and a fun activity for you to share.

You’ll find some examples in this article: 4 Fun Games To Play With Your Lab

9. Routines

Dogs thrive on predictability. Consistent feeding times, walk schedules, and bedtime routines provide a sense of security and stability, strengthening the dog’s trust in you.

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