Nowadays, our constant attachment to our phones is leaving our relationships stagnant and unchecked. If left that way, we might find ourselves losing our friends little by little. That includes our dogs.
Being constantly on our phones may harm our relationship with our dogs.
Dogs are particularly gregarious animals. This trait of theirs came from their nearest evolutionary cousin, the wolves.
Dogs still think in groups even though they have evolved differently from their relatives. They consider their owners to be leaders of the pack, and they like to interact with them as much as possible to strengthen their relationship.
However, in our modern society, our phones disrupt this connection with our dogs. This leads to a fading relationship with them, which, if left unchecked, can turn into a problem as some dogs can go against their owners.
You should note the following signs if your relationship with your dog is weakening.
1. He does not listen to you.
This is a major symptom of troubling connections with dogs. When your dog does not follow your commands, despite being reasonable, that’s the time you should give some attention to the situation.
2. She’s aggressive towards you.
Some dogs can act aggressively towards their owners. This may be in the form of chewed belongings or even a direct physical attack. It can hurt as an owner if the dog reaches this disconnection stage.
Yet many dogs don’t usually reach this stage unless their owners are irresponsible.
3. He cries a lot.
Certain dogs will cry to tackle the situation head-on. It is their way of saving the relationship because no owners can resist the cries of their dogs unless they really do not care for them.
Aside from crying, they may paw their owners to attract more attention.
4. She’s inactive.
Dogs can mimic the habits and behaviors of their owners. If you’re inactive, then she’s inactive as well.
Inactivity is not suitable for your dog. It will leave your dog lonely for many days and leave her physically unhealthy. She may not even be welcome to see you.
When you notice these signs, you should act quickly to avoid complicated issues between you and your dog. A straightforward solution is to stop using your phone all day.
Although it cannot be done immediately, you should take simple steps to solve the problem. Here are some tips to strengthen your relationship between you and your dog:
1. Allot some time for him.
The time can be as short as about 10 minutes to as long as 1 hour. It depends on your liking.
However, avoid leaving a day without interacting with your dog. Every minute counts; hence, it’s crucial for you to interact with your dog. Even a simple act, such as talking with your dog for minutes or hours, is enough.
2. Bring her a companion.
As the saying goes, “Two is better than one.” However, you should carefully consider the companion you’ll be introducing to your dog.
Observe your dog if she sees any signs of aggression towards the newcomer. You may need an animal behavior specialist if the situation seems uneasy.
3. Buy him a toy.
Toys can give some short entertainment for your dog.
However, do not use toys as an excuse for not interacting with him. They are meant for short-term entertainment; hence, he will want real attention from you soon.
In this modern age, we always need help putting our phones down. Whether it’s from work or entertainment, we always have reasons to constantly use them.
However, our relationships with others, especially our pets, should be a reminder that we are still humans, and we need their love and attention just as they need ours.
Without them, we will feel lonely, just as they feel lonely when we ignore them.
