How to Help Your Dog Become Familiar with Its Owner?

We often see loyal dogs on the news, who, even after getting lost or abandoned, persistently return to find their owners. However, some puppies that are given away can become unfamiliar with their owners after a period of time. So, what can owners do to strengthen their dog's familiarity with them?

In fact, a dog’s familiarity with its owner is closely related to its early developmental stages. Most animals, after being born, first see their parents, and then gradually begin to recognize others as they grow. As the dog’s brain develops, its ability to understand its surroundings and the creatures around it becomes more refined. By the time a dog reaches 4 to 6 months of age, it can usually start to form clear relationships with the people and environment around it. Thus, the best time for an owner to build a strong relationship with a dog is when the dog is around 4 months old. The following methods can help deepen the dog’s impression of its owner: 1. Give Your Dog a Name to Help It Remember You Using specific, simple commands is a crucial step in dog training. Owners can choose a short, easy-to-remember name for their puppy and call it frequently, especially when feeding or taking the dog out for walks. Over time, through leash training and other interactions, the dog will begin to associate its name with the owner and learn to recognize it. 2. Let the Dog Get Familiar with the Owner’s Scent As we know, dogs rely heavily on their sense of smell for recognition and memory. To help your dog remember your scent, you need to have frequent close contact with it. You can hug the dog or pet it regularly. After 1 to 2 months, the dog will start to recognize its owner’s scent. 3. Engage in Consistent Activities with Your Dog Consistent activities, such as feeding the dog or taking it for regular walks with a leash, are important. Dogs are sensitive to time, especially when it involves food and exercise. Once a routine is established, the dog will automatically respond to the owner’s cues and behaviors, such as eagerly grabbing the leash when it wants to go for a walk. These three methods are useful for owners with puppies under 4 months old. However, it’s important to remember that at this age, dogs are still young and shouldn’t be subjected to intense physical activities or rigorous training. For older, more mature dogs that already recognize their owners, and especially those who may have experienced some emotional trauma, owners can engage in fun leash games or interactive activities. Most importantly, owners should be patient and consistent. Animals are sensitive to the way they are treated, and a dog will quickly become familiar with its owner when it feels loved and cared for.