Strengthen your bond with your pet through interactive play

Interactive games are for more than just fun

Interactive play isn’t just about keeping your pet entertained — it’s a way to build focus, trust and engagement between pets 
and their human parents. Jesse Larone, a Pet Valu Animal Care Expert from Kanata, Ontario, refers to the power of puzzle toys 
as an example. Games like hide-and-seek with treats or using food-dispensing puzzle toys reinforce the idea that you are your pet’s partner in problem-solving and play. “It's something that you're providing to your pet. It’s not something that they can do by themselves. They watch you set it up and get the treats out of the cupboard and everything. So that really strengthens that bond of ‘my Devoted Pet Lover is giving me a task to do, and now it's my job to figure it out, and I’m getting rewarded for doing it by my owner.’” This dynamic creates a sense of teamwork — your pet isn’t just entertaining themselves; they’re engaging with you in a meaningful way.

Behavioural benefits of bonding time

Interactive play can also have an ongoing and lasting impact on your pet’s behaviour and well-being. Larone points out that play helps to reduce anxiety and prevent unwanted behaviours in dogs. “It really calms them down and gets rid of a lot of those undesirable behaviours that are associated with boredom and stress and even anxiety,” he says. “A dog in particular that is more mentally and emotionally and physically enriched in their lives, is likely to behave better with other dogs, behave better with other people, and be more adaptable to new situations.” Zach Hynick, an Animal Care Expert from Pet Valu in Nova Scotia, echoes this sentiment, highlighting how play creates a positive association between you and your pet. “They learn to associate you with that positive feeling that they're having — and that's what really builds your bond, because they're associating you with a fun treat lots of the time as well. And of course, just the joyfulness of getting that energy out,” Hynick explains.  “It's all about positive reinforcement.” Whether you’re tossing a ball, engaging in a game of tug-of-war or guiding them through an obstacle course, the key is to be an active participant. Your pet will associate you with excitement, rewards and a shared experience, reinforcing your bond over time and improving their behaviour.

Creating meaningful moments for you and your pet every day

Strengthening your bond with your pet isn’t just about structured play — it’s also about the small, meaningful moments that happen throughout the day. Seghara Philippe, a Pet Valu Animal Care Expert in North Vancouver, emphasizes that play and bonding go hand in hand with companionship and trust. “I think anytime you're actively trying to build a bond with your pet, it's a mutually beneficial exercise,” Philippe says.  “So going outside, playing in the snow, the rain, on a beautiful day, it's something that you know stimulates you as a human being. It gets you out of the house, and therefore releases those endorphins. But also to have a partner to support you in doing that is so important for your own mental health.” Philippe also highlights the value of making everyday activities more interactive and engaging. For instance, feeding time.  “So you’re not just putting their food in a bowl, but maybe rolling it up in a towel and showing them, walking them through how to problem solve. That really helps build that bond, which, at the end of the day, is all that they're really craving.”