People often think our dogs can't communicate with us, but they actually speak to us through their body language and behaviours.
If we can learn to recognise these behaviours, we can improve our relationship and build a stronger bond that lets them live the healthy, happy lives they deserve.
Bella & Duke’s Natural Canine Behaviourist, Caroline Spencer, has shared her top tips for understanding your dog’s behaviour and how you can show them some love this Valentine’s Day, which you can read below.
She said: “Living together and forming a relationship with your dog takes time.
Highs and lows through puppyhood, adolescence to adulthood are natural as they learn how to fit in, and we learn what they mean by what they do.
There is no rush to make the grade, any grade. Just do right by them the best you can, and enjoy one another's company naturally.”
Bella & Duke is the UK's leading raw pet food and pet wellness subscription company serving over three million meals per month.
For more information, visit: www.bellaandduke.com.
Bella & Duke’s Natural Canine Behaviourist, Caroline Spencer, has shared her top tips for understanding your dog’s behaviour and how you can show them some love this Valentine’s Day, which you can read below.
![As well as understanding your furry friend and the ways they show us love, Caroline also shares her five key ways that you can show your love to your four legged friend this Valentine's Day and beyond.](https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjRmNWI4ZTg4LTUwZjktNDMyNC1hMTZmLTRlNTc2YTA5Y2JmMzo3MTg5YWJmZC1jNmE0LTQ3NzktOTQ2Ni02ZDQyYTgyNTI1Yjk=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
5. How you can show your dog love
As well as understanding your furry friend and the ways they show us love, Caroline also shares her five key ways that you can show your love to your four legged friend this Valentine's Day and beyond. Photo: Bella & Duke
![Many studies have been done to explain and understand yawning in dogs and humans. Often, when we yawn, others yawn around us, and so do our dogs. This can mean they want to show their connection and empathy towards us.](https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmU0ZjVmMzMxLWZiN2EtNGYyZS04NTRiLTk0NzNkMTUxNTMyMDpiYmYzODI3Yy1mODc4LTQ4MGEtOWE2My0yODQ2YjMwODFiMTY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
6. Yawning in sync with you
Many studies have been done to explain and understand yawning in dogs and humans. Often, when we yawn, others yawn around us, and so do our dogs. This can mean they want to show their connection and empathy towards us. Photo: RogerMayhem from Pixabay
![Everyone deserves tasty treats, it's a great idea to use natural treats to reward your dog and reinforce a positive connection between you both. Natural treats allow you to treat your dog without feeling guilty, and they can be a great tool for training, enrichment or simply a surprise. Just make sure not to use this as the only tool to gain a connection at the expense of not forming a proper bond.](https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjcyM2JmZmU1LTMxYzUtNDZmOC1iMTBjLTMzM2RmNDhlMjM5NTozYzQ0M2JhOS0yNDZhLTRjNTItYTA2Yi0wOGUxYzcyYmFkOTg=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
7. Surprise them with treats
Everyone deserves tasty treats, it's a great idea to use natural treats to reward your dog and reinforce a positive connection between you both. Natural treats allow you to treat your dog without feeling guilty, and they can be a great tool for training, enrichment or simply a surprise. Just make sure not to use this as the only tool to gain a connection at the expense of not forming a proper bond. Photo: Mat Coulton from Pixabay
![Allowing your dog to try different fun activities, such as nose games/brain games and sniffy walks with you will make them happier. Ensure your switching up from the expected every now and again to give them some variety. Visiting different environments together such as the beach or the forest can help grow the bond between you. You know your dog best, so work together, experiment and find ways to enrich their life that suit you both to make sure you are living a life well loved.](https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjg0Mjc0MmVkLWFiMjMtNGJiNy1hZmFiLWVkOTgyYjFkZTcxOTowOWMyODg0MS1jZGI1LTQ4YjMtODI3YS02YzU0NDVhM2VhZDQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
8. Ensure their life is full of enrichment
Allowing your dog to try different fun activities, such as nose games/brain games and sniffy walks with you will make them happier. Ensure your switching up from the expected every now and again to give them some variety. Visiting different environments together such as the beach or the forest can help grow the bond between you. You know your dog best, so work together, experiment and find ways to enrich their life that suit you both to make sure you are living a life well loved. Photo: Katrin B. from Pixabay