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When I brought my puppy home, I had already researched the breed, bought all the supplies and watched training videos. I daydreamed of puppy patio dates. I was ready. Instead, I found myself sitting on the ground, frustrated, in tears. I had hoped he would see my distress and come snuggle. He did not. Instead, he nipped at me with his sharp puppy teeth and peed.

If you have a dog, chances are you’ve experienced similar moments when they just won’t do what you’re asking. Or they’re barking and you’re left thinking, “I don’t know what you want!” You’re not alone. The truth is, dogs are communicating with us all the time — but we don’t always know how to listen.

Three º£½ÇÉçÇø grads are helping people do exactly that: Erica Cheung, ’15 BSc, an animal behaviourist, Sam Cheung, ’13 PhD, a veterinarian, and Kassi Boyd, ’14 BPE, ’17 MA, ’25 PhD, a certified dog trainer. They’ve offered their top five tips to build a better bond with your canine companion.

1: Listen to Your Dog’s Behaviour

Dogs are constantly communicating. “Their behaviour is the information they can give us,” says animal behaviourist Erica Cheung, who helps owners strengthen the human-animal bond through humane, evidence-based methods at her business . “We have to interpret it through the lens of dog behaviour, not our human perspective.”

One of the biggest misconceptions about dog behaviour, she says, is that dogs act out of spite or defiance. “As humans, we often project our own intentions onto them, assuming they’re being ‘stubborn’ or ‘dramatic.’ But in reality, dogs that act out are usually trying to feel safe, secure or understood.”

Another misconception is that all dogs want affection. As heartbreaking as it may be, “not all dogs enjoy being pet,” says Erica. “Some are trying to avoid it, and we miss the cues.”

Dogs show discomfort in many ways — some are subtle behaviours, like lip licking, whale eyes or turning away; others are more obvious, like growling or showing their teeth. These behaviours are all forms of communication that let us know they’re uncomfortable. Even during training, these are cues to pause, give space and let them reset. 

When it comes to physical affection, she recommends a simple test: stop petting and see if your dog asks for more. Giving dogs a choice is a key part of building trust.

2: Forget Dominance. Focus on Emotional Safety and Predictability 

One of the most harmful dog training myths is that “Dogs are not trying to dominate us,” says Erica. “They’re trying to feel safe.”

The dominance theory originated from outdated research on captive wolves that didn’t reflect how wolves behave in the wild. “It was bad research that was then wrongly applied to a different species,” adds Kassi, a certified trainer who works with Erica.

While punishment-based methods might get you short-term compliance, they come at a cost. that dominance-based training can damage your relationship with your dog. 

“It might look like the dog ‘learned,’ but more often they’ve just suppressed the behaviour out of fear,” says Erica. “And that’s not the same thing.”

Erica, currently a PhD candidate with the , reminds us that communication goes both ways: dogs read us, too. “They look at our faces to know what we’re thinking and feeling. They can understand the way we interact with them to mean certain things.” 

When a person is affectionate one moment and punishing the next, they become unpredictable in the dog’s eyes. That inconsistency can lead to behavioural issues because the dog no longer feels secure.

Kassi and Erica use positive reinforcement — teaching animals what we want them to do, then rewarding those behaviours, rather than waiting for a mistake and punishing them.

Kassi says this isn’t just a system of bribery. “Reinforcement happens after a behaviour. Bribing is about trying to get them to do something because of the treat.” When used correctly, treats help reinforce behaviours you want to see again, like sitting calmly or walking by your side.

Treats can also help change emotional responses through counter-conditioning.

“If a dog is barking because they’re fearful, the treat is not rewarding the bark,” Kassi explains.

“We are aiming to change their emotional response to the trigger.”

3: Make Vet Visits Less Stressful

Veterinarian Sam Cheung sees the consequences of miscommunication with his clients.

“More than half the dogs we see are fearful,” he says. 

Sam shares that he often sees owners drag their hesitant dogs through the clinic doors, insisting that their dog is friendly. They might be, but it sets everyone up for a bad experience. 

“They get misread and then, next thing you know, there’s teeth coming your way,” he says.

Instead, Sam recommends prepping for vet visits with cooperative care training, by visiting the clinic without needing a procedure done. Drop in for a treat, let them explore the space and then go home.

“The first impression is very important,” he says. “Dogs remember experiences, and if they have a nice first impression, it’ll be much easier for subsequent visits.”

And if your dog is reactive, reluctant or scared? It’s okay. Sam urges clients not to worry. “Don’t be angry or frustrated. I’m not frustrated. I understand that might just be who they are. ”

4: Let Dogs Be Dogs

Dogs sniff. They bark. Sometimes they jump up. These aren’t “bad” behaviours — they’re communication. The key is understanding when and why they’re happening.

Take jumping, for example. “It’s not inherently bad,” says Kassi. “They could be jumping because they’re overstimulated or they’re trying to gain information.” However, it might be undesirable if the dog weighs 100 pounds, so it’s a behaviour that can be modified. If a behaviour doesn’t bother you and it’s not harming people or your dog, there’s no need to worry about it.

The same goes for barking. Humans may not like it, but barking is normal dog behaviour. However, if barking is bothering you, Kassi advises seeking professional advice to better understand the underlying cause. There may be something that needs to be addressed that’s stressful for your dog. 

Many owners have a double standard about dog behaviour, says Kassi. “I’ll hear, ‘My dog needs to learn how to be a dog,’ and then they don’t let the dog sniff on walks,” she says. “That’s not being a dog. That’s marching beside a human like a robot.”

5: Ask a Different Question

There’s one question Kassi wishes more people would ask: How can I help my dog live a good life?

“Don’t try to turn them into what society — or even you — thinks they should be,” she says. “Meet them where they're at and honour who they are.” That means meeting their needs every day. Being kind. And seeking support from professionals who can help you understand what those needs really are.

“We get dogs to be companions, to have a friend,” says Erica. “They sleep in our beds. We snuggle on the couch. We go for walks together. We’re their caretakers.” She says we owe it to them to listen. Think about how they’re feeling. “They’re living in a human world, and that means it’s our job to help them cope with that as best as possible.”

In learning to understand my own dog, I’ve built a relationship based on trust. Sometimes it’s been hard. And while he may never sit calmly at a patio, that’s okay. In chasing that idea, I forgot something: I don’t always enjoy sitting at a patio either. There are other things we can enjoy together.