How to get a dog to like you

If you’re a pet sitter entering someone else’s house for the first time, your first task could well be to earn the trust of the dog you’re going to be looking after. Just like humans, all dogs are different, and some might be more wary of strangers than others. So how do you get a dog to like you?

The same question might apply if you’re a dog owner, and you’ve welcomed a new dog into your home from a rescue centre. There’s no knowing what experiences the poor pooch might have had to contend with in the past, so it might be fearful of its new owner at first. Unfortunately there’s no quick-fix way to make a dog like you – as with all relationships, it takes time and patience to earn trust. But here are a few things you can try.

Keep calm

If you want to make a dog like you, the key thing is to keep calm. Your instinct might be to rush up to the adorable pooch and sweep it into a hug, but sudden movements can easily spook a dog, prompting it to flee the room. 

Take a deep breath, keep your voice low and soothing, and approach the dog slowly without any sudden movements. Don’t go straight in for a big cuddle – imagine how uncomfortable it would be if someone you didn’t know came up and grabbed you in a bear hug. Instead, if the dog will let you, give it a gentle rub or pat on the back. (Avoid the head, at least at first, as many dogs dislike head pats.) 

Don’t worry if the dog recoils at first, it may take some time before it’s willing to submit to your affection. Just be patient, and keep calm. If you’re calm, the dog will calm down, too.

Go for walks

If you’re wondering how to get a dog to like you, then one answer is to do its favourite things – and quite often, a dog’s favourite thing is to go for a walk. In fact, just seeing the lead come out might be enough to break through a dog’s anxiety and snap it into a state of excitement.

If you’re pet sitting, it’s a good idea to check with the owner about which walking routes they prefer. At first, to keep the dog’s anxiety to a minimum, you may want to stick to its usual routes to provide a sense of familiarity and safety. Later on, you could explore new parts of town or the countryside – if there’s one thing that dogs love, it’s discovering new smells!

Give the pooch plenty of opportunities to sniff around and explore, and they’ll be warming up to you in no time. 

Feed them

The way to a dog’s heart is through its stomach, and a sure way to make your dog love you is to keep it well fed. Once they realise you’re providing them with delicious food, you will go up enormously in their estimation.

Rather than leaving out a bowl of food in the kitchen, call the dog when it’s meal time and make a show of emptying the food into their dog bowl. You can even feed the dog a portion from your hand if you like. After the dog has finished eating, remove any leftovers from the bowl. Get the dog used to realising that all of the food comes from you, and doesn’t spontaneously appear in its bowl.

Training and treats

Training is the key to a happy and healthy life for both dog and owner, and you should try to continually reward positive behaviour. Keep a bag of treats on you, and dole them out whenever the dog obeys a command to maintain positive reinforcement. Once the wary pooch knows that you’re the treat supplier, any fear of this new stranger will soon start to evaporate.

If the dog is particularly worried about your presence, they might not take the treat from your hand at first. Instead, simply pop it on the floor and let them guzzle it up. After the dog has begun to trust you, they’ll gradually become more amenable to swiping the treat directly from your hand.

Respect their space

Do you know those close talkers at parties? Those folks who roll right up to you and begin chatting just inches from your face? Don’t be one of those uncomfortable people – give your dog some space. Watch its body language – if the worried pooch is cowering, tail down, don’t approach. Instead, let them come to you if they want to. A treat can help with this!

It’s also a good idea to provide the dog with a comfortable space where they can go if they need solitude and safety. Usually this is their basket or crate – and when the dog is having their alone time, make sure to let them be. 

Let them sleep with you

If you have a new rescue dog or a puppy, you might want to consider letting them sleep in your bed at first. Moving into a new, unfamiliar home can be scary, and they will benefit from the comfort of your presence at night in the initial period. It will also help them to feel part of their new ‘pack’.

Do things together

Just spending time doing stuff together is a great way to build a bond with your dog and get them to like you. And like spending time with other humans, doing things together can be a lot more fun for both of you than doing them on your own.

Whatever you’re up to, even if it’s the most trivial or mundane thing, think about getting the dog involved. Need to take out the bins? C’mon Fido, let’s go! Going to the local shop for some milk? Hey there girl, let’s get milk! Make your dog feel part of the team, and they’ll learn to love you in no time.

Keep them healthy

It goes without saying that a happy dog is a healthy dog. If the poor pooch is suffering from pain or irritation, they’re naturally going to be a bit prickly with you – just as you might be a bit grumpy when ill. Make sure to take your pooch for regular check-ups at the vet. And if you’re pet sitting and suspect that there’s something medically wrong with the dog, you can always call the Trustedhousesitters 24/7 Vet Advice Line.

Grooming your dog is a great way to bond with your pet, as well as to remove any parasites or prickles from their coat. And while you’re grooming, you can keep an eye out for any signs of skin irritation or other problems.

Play

If you’re worried about how to get your dog to like you, playing with them is an almost guaranteed way to bond. Try a few different games to find your dog’s favourite pastime, then do that as much as you can. Perhaps they like playing fetch? Maybe they like messing around with a garden hose? Perhaps they’re a big Frisbee fan? Give everything a go and see what sticks.

Hopefully these tips will show you how to make your dog like you, or at least give you some ideas to try. But if you’re still stuck, you can always try asking for help on the TrustedHousesitters forum.

If you’re looking for more inspiring articles and helpful pet advice, head over to the Trustedhousesitters blog for more great reads.