True or False?

Dogs enjoy repeating games more than learning new ones.

(scroll to the bottom to find the answer!)

It turns out stress relief doesn’t require a long walk, a meditation app, or a full lifestyle reset. Sometimes it just takes a dog and about 15 minutes. A 2025 study found that short, casual playtime with dogs significantly reduced stress in college students who reported moderate to high stress levels.

Researchers measured heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormones in 122 students before and after interacting with dogs. The biggest change came after just 15 minutes of simple activities like petting, talking to, and playing with the dogs, when stress levels dropped by more than 33 percent. Even the anticipation of meeting a dog lowered stress markers.

Interestingly, the dogs benefited too. The six dogs involved, none of them therapy-certified, showed signs of positive engagement, suggesting the interaction was enjoyable rather than stressful for them.

The takeaway is refreshingly simple: meaningful dog time doesn’t have to be long or structured to matter. A few minutes of attention, play, or cuddles can help both humans and dogs reset. No special training required, just a willing pup and a little shared time.

Daily Dig reader Karen shared this joyful snapshot of her pups playing outside this past winter. From bounding through fresh snow to a full-speed game of chase (with a bright red ball in tow), these two clearly know how to turn a snowy day into a day of fun.

Want to see your dog featured as Dog of the Day? Send a photo and a short note about your pup, and they might be next!

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Some dogs love every stranger they meet. Others would rather quietly exist on the sidelines, and that’s not a flaw. Shy dogs aren’t being difficult or stubborn; they’re usually dealing with low confidence, and how people respond to that matters more than most realize.

Experts say one of the biggest mistakes well-meaning dog parents make is pushing shy dogs into social situations too fast. Forced greetings, hovering strangers, and constant reassurance can actually make things worse. Instead, shy dogs do best when someone advocates for them by creating space, setting boundaries, and letting interactions happen on their terms.

Shyness can come from many places. Some dogs are simply quieter from puppyhood, while others have had limited socialization or a few bad experiences that stuck with them. The goal isn’t to turn them into social butterflies, but to help them feel safe and supported.

Confidence can grow slowly through low-pressure exposure, such as parallel walks with calm dogs, quiet environments, and rewarding moments when your dog chooses curiosity over retreat. Most importantly, shy dogs need patience, not fixing. When they know someone has their back, they’re far more likely to come out of their shell in their own time.

Here are our favorite picks of the week:

• 📦 Rottweiler inspects Amazon packages

• 🌱 Why your dog might be snacking on dirt

• 😤 This dog’s reaction to “disrespect” is priceless

Daily Dig is inspired and brought to you by our wonderful dogs. Our dogs, and all the other pups out there, make the world a happier, brighter place. ❤️

With lots of love,

Stitcher, Minnie, & Finnegan 🐾

🦴 A Little Treat

🤔 True or False: True. Familiar games feel safe and rewarding

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