Six ways to get more joy with your dog

These simple exercises can foster a deeper connection with your pet and improve your mental health

The human-dog connection runs deep. Dogs are so tuned in to their people that they catch their human’s yawns — even if they simply hear the yawn rather than see it.

“The emotional connection between humans and dogs is the essence of the relationship,” said Clive Wynne, a professor of psychology and director of the Canine Science Collaboratory at Arizona State University. “Dogs are amazingly social beings, so they are easily infected with our warmth and joy.”