You say "hello" in dog language through body language, not words, by approaching calmly, allowing them to sniff you (especially your hand), making soft eye contact (or brief squints), keeping your body loose, and letting the dog initiate the interaction to show respect for their space. Avoid direct stares, leaning over, or rushing in, as this can seem threatening; a friendly greeting involves loose wiggles and a soft, low-pitched voice.
Use a calm, low-pitched tone of voice and short clipped words. High-pitched upset voices can sound whiny and send the wrong signals that you are not in charge. Use the same words for the same thing each time so your pup learns your language with repetition.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, outlining three phases: 3 Days (decompression, feeling overwhelmed/scared), 3 Weeks (starting to settle in, learning routine, personality emerges), and 3 Months (feeling secure, bonded, and truly at home). It helps new owners manage expectations and be patient as their rescue dog transitions, emphasizing calm energy, routine, and space in the early days to build trust.
Avoid petting if the dog looks nervous or tense. Just admire him instead. It's OK to pet the dog if he looks relaxed, comes up to you, and solicits your attention by rubbing against you. Avoid hugging, kissing, and patting roughly.
Every pup should know the 7 Basic Common commands: SIT, STAY, DOWN, COME, OFF, HEEL, and NO.
To say "I love you" in dog language, use soft eye contact, raise your eyebrows, give gentle massages (especially ears), lean into them, and engage in play or shared activities like walks, which build trust and affection through shared experiences and physical connection, releasing oxytocin for both of you.
The "7-7-7 Rule" for dogs is a puppy socialization guideline suggesting that a puppy should experience 7 different people, 7 different locations, and 7 different surfaces/objects/sounds by 7 weeks old (or within the first few months) to build confidence and prevent fear, encompassing diverse textures, objects, sounds, locations, containers, people, and gentle challenges like stairs or tunnels. The goal is positive exposure during critical development, making them well-adjusted adults.
The hardest "commandment" (command) to teach a dog is often considered Recall ("Come"), due to powerful natural instincts to explore or play, followed by impulse control commands like "Leave It/Drop It", and complex obedience actions like the "Finish" (positioning at the handler's side) or "Heel", requiring intense focus and self-control, especially with distractions like other dogs or interesting sights/smells.
An hour for a dog feels much longer than an hour for a human because dogs perceive time more slowly due to their faster metabolism and heightened awareness of routines, so a 10-minute wait can feel like 70 minutes to them, and your hour-long absence feels like an eternity, though they don't grasp clock time but rather the intervals between events like meals, walks, and your return.
To show your dog you're the leader, provide calm, consistent structure through training, clear rules (like waiting before going through doors or eating), and leading on walks (dog beside or behind you). It's about confidence, not aggression, ensuring your dog feels secure in a balanced environment where you control resources and activities, not by overpowering them but by offering reliable guidance.
Loose shoulders, soft eyes without a fixed gaze, and a dose of 'wiggliness' or pure 'flopped-outness' are all clues that your dog's feeling super chill. They're playful. A happy dog is more likely to want to play and leap around. Play “bows” are a great sign your dog is in the mood.
Here are a few ways you can show love to your dog:
What language do dogs understand? Dogs are incredible learners when it comes to human interaction. They pick up on familiar words, phrases and commands, typically in the language spoken by their owners. They generally understand the language they are most exposed to, typically their owner's native tongue.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, outlining three phases: 3 Days (decompression, feeling overwhelmed/scared), 3 Weeks (starting to settle in, learning routine, personality emerges), and 3 Months (feeling secure, bonded, and truly at home). It helps new owners manage expectations and be patient as their rescue dog transitions, emphasizing calm energy, routine, and space in the early days to build trust.
Signs Your Dog Loves You
How to spot the signs of stress
From "sit" and "stay" to "hello" and "goodbye," these words will keep your dog happy and engaged. So start learning these words (and how to teach your dog words) today.
The "10 10 10 rule" for dogs refers to two main concepts: a potty training method for puppies (10 mins outside, 10 ft space, 10 mins supervision/reward) and the 80/10/10 guideline for raw feeding (80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 10% organ), both offering structure for training or diet. Another interpretation is the 10% rule for treats, limiting them to 10% of daily calories to maintain a balanced diet, ensuring most nutrition comes from complete dog food.
7 tips to build a strong bond with your dog
Dogs generally decide whether they are compatible with another dog in approximately 3 seconds, so if your dog's body language is indicating they are comfortable to go in for a greeting and the body language of the other dog also looks good, check with the owner of the other dog and if permission is given, let them go ...
Use the “Say it once, then make it happen” strategy that I always abide by. By having your dog on leash when you call him, you'll be able to reel him in if he doesn't obey the command immediately. Once he comes back to you, reward his compliance with calm, assertive praise.
Keep a treat jar next to your door. As you enter, grab a handful. Start off by asking your dog for their BEST/EASIEST skill; for many dogs, this is often a Sit or a Touch (hand target) behavior. When they perform the behavior, give a calm-but-happy 'good' or 'yes', then toss a treat away from you for them to retrieve.