How do I help my 10 year old and my dog bond?

[Momily]

I really want Lyle to be my son's dog. Well, both of our dog, but in my experience dogs always bond to the mom.

So, I'd love some ideas for helping Lyle and DS cement their bond. Today we went to the store and bought Lyle a squeaky soft toy. I told DS to sleep with it so it will smell like him (figured it couldn't hurt). I also plan on putting the crate in DS's room and have him stay in there each night (not closed in the crate at night, only when we're not there).

I also figure that DS can feed him and do some of the NILIF stuff with him, and if we do obedience classes, find one that will let DS handle Lyle with me in the background.

Of course I hope they'll run around and play in the backyard. Once I know DS really knows how to handle him I imagine letting them go for walks in the neighborhood too.

The foster mom says Lyle follows her around all day. I think DS would be really disappointed if he followed me around -- I know he wants Lyle to follow him! Any other thoughts on how to achieve this?

[oneKnight]

Well my dog really bonded to me at first because I was the one that took her on nightly walks. Dogs bond to each other on walks, and to people too.
Over time though, she bonded to DH as well.

[Ola_]

I think doing things together will really help. Have him feed Lyle and do obedience exercises with him, mixed with play or whatever else they're doing. In the end you can't really control who he will bond with the most.

Interestingly enough many dogs seem drawn to the people who are more aloof with them, which sort of backfires on those who are really trying to get the dog to like them.

[Miasmamma]

You can also have him wear the same old t-shirt to bed for a few days and then put it in Lyle's crate. We've done this with all our puppies, only we sent the shirt to the breeders a week or so before we went to get them. If you really want your son and Lyle to bond, let your son be the one that does all the fun stuff like treats, walks, training, feeding, playing etc. It shouldn't take long. But, some dogs are all about the ladies. My gordon is for sure. He tolerates my DH, but he's MY dog. It's the same with my parents, he likes my dad, but loves my mom.

[mom0810]

Boy dogs usually like women best. Don't know why, but they do. ETA: They love the men in their lives, but they are IN LOVE with the women. Of course all of this depends on their prior life experiences. If Lyle was abused by a woman, he might be drawn to men... but usually boys love women. It's something I have found is consistent with all dogs... at least those without prior history that would lead them the other way.

Our two house dogs are girls and they LIVE for my dh and my boys. All of our show dogs... the boys are mine, the girls love the boys and dh. It's odd how that happens but it seems it's always the way. Everyone I know that shows and breeds dogs... the boys adore the women in the house and the girls adore the men.

But I suppose you could have Lyle tethered to your son for the first few weeks in the house. This does really help with bonding. I think you already had one breeder tell you that. I agree that if your ds feeds him, this will help. Your son should also do most if not all of the training.

[greenmagick]

Tell that to my boy, please He is soooo bonded to my DH, he will whine when DH is in the other room and I am right there He is MY dog....bday present for me 9 years ago. I also wonder though if it maybe had to do with the female we used to have. She was very very bonded to me, but crazy and dog aggressive. They grew up together, but he was often her scapegoat. She took all of her frustration out on him....so maybe that has to do with it

Also, in his case I think it has a lot to do with who feeds him ususally, which is DH.

If you have your son feed him, walk him (with supervision at first) etc I think it will help, but I dont know if you can ever really control who they bond to.