Engaging with the family dog can strengthen the relationship, improve well-being and bring joy. With a little planning, each interaction offers dogs and their owners a chance to exercise, bond, explore and have fun.

Benefits of Interacting With Dogs

In a 2020 study published in Scientific Reports involving 35 dog owners and 58 dog-human activities, researchers concluded:

• Physical interactions with dogs, such as playing, training exercises and being greeted by the dog, increased the owners’ positive emotions, including happiness, joy and contentment, while at the same time reducing feelings of stress, anxiety and fear.

• Owning and caring for a dog was linked to an increased sense of purpose, meaning, responsibility and fulfillment, as well as a positive feeling of companionship.

• While not directly tied to dog-human activities, the general experience of having a dog contributed to a more positive outlook on life.

Dog-Owner Bonding 

According to the National Institutes of Health, a strong bond with the family pet can lower a person’s blood pressure and decrease levels of cortisol, an stress-related hormone. Playing or relaxing with a dog engenders a sense of safety, while also allowing the dog to feel calm and less reactive. Dogs that regularly share activities with their owners tend to show more affection, trust and excitement. 

A 2024 Finnish study published in Science Daily determined that during interactions, dogs tended to be in sync with their owners’ stress levels, as measured by heart rate variability. This suggests that a close bond between a dog and their companion can build an emotional connection and even affect underlying physiological responses. What we do with our pets can have an effect on their emotional disposition, and ours.

Fun Activities

Carla Brown, a dog trainer and holistic pet health coach in Truckee, California, offers these tips to keep dogs happy and healthy.

Play and Exploration: Dogs are happiest when they can play and explore off-leash. This time is essential for their physical and mental growth. If off-leash spaces are not available, find other ways for the dog to play and explore.

Running and Playing: Running and playing release a dog’s endorphins—hormones that can help reduce stress, anxiety and depression. These activities also improve brain function, support immune health, reduce inflammation and help regulate appetite. Varying the activities keeps them mentally and physically healthy.

Mental Stimulation: Teaching the dog basic nose-work skills is a great way to challenge their mind and provide calm, enriching experiences. Start nose work by tossing a treat for the dog to find. Use simple phrases like “Find it” or “Search.” As the dog gets better at finding the treat, make the search more challenging by hiding treats in different spots. Dog puzzles, snuffle mats and frozen stuffed toys that hide a treat inside are other ways to teach nose work.

Safety Tips for Dog-Dog Play: Dog-dog play can be rough and scary to the inexperienced observer. They rear up, wrestle and use open mouths. When dogs play together properly, no one should get hurt. Good playmates take self-imposed breaks when play escalates too much. On the other hand, puppies need help to calm down and stop playing. 

Tips for Human-Dog Play: Set clear rules and follow through to ensure play is fun and safe. Teach cues like “Sit” and “Give a hug.” Don't allow rough play that promotes bad mouth habits. If a dog is used to roughhousing at home, they won’t understand that it is not okay with others. Allowing the dog to jump on their owner when they come home might suggest that it is okay to jump on strangers.

Safety With Kids and Seniors: When it comes to playing with children or older people, the rules are stricter. Dogs should be discouraged from using their mouth or jumping on people. This is why controlling play is important. Giving the dog a cue to sit, wait, take or drop will help them calm down. If the dog has trouble calming down, give them regular breaks. The reward is playing by the rules. 

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