Something you do every day may be making your dog v. sad.

And it's not what you think. [BarkShop logo]( Today is World Mental Health Day, so we decided to dig into our dogs mental health. [Frank]( Dogs just get us. When we’re stressed, upset, angry, or just peeved that there isn’t anything good to eat in the fridge, our dogs know it. If you’ve ever experienced an empathetic snoot rest on your lap, or a tiny lick of reassurance, you know it, too. Because it’s World Mental Health Day, we thought it might be a good time to remind you how our behavior affects our dogs’ mood. Dogs can tell when we’re ignoring them; a [recent study out of the UK]( confirmed that our pups get depressed (DEPRESSED) when their people spend too much time on their phones. They’re masters at reading body language and know the art of eye contact as well as they know what time the mailman comes each day. "They read our facial expressions, so if we are on our phone and acting disinterested, and they're looking for attention, it basically is ignoring your dog,” [says]( Philadelphia veterinarian Dr. Alexander Collada. [Dog smart puzzle](Instagram via @DingoADay Being ignored is no fun, especially when the reason is a Halloween-themed cat GIF to the tune of “Monster Mash.” Dogs even help us reduce our stress levels--no, really. Many, [many studies]( prove that petting and spending time with dogs actually decreases the amount of the stress hormone cortisol in our bodies. The same interactions help lower blood pressure and ease anxiety and depression, but most of all, a good belly rub sesh makes us plain ol’ happy. [Leia](Instagram via @Leia_the_Cavachon Try putting your phone down for a bit and do a few of these with your dog instead: - Make a leap-worthy leaf pile[scared dog]( - Go for a long walk and let your pup lead the way - Plan a playdate with your pup’s best dog friend - Build a [ball pit]( - Go for a scenic wilderness hike - Grab some [tennis balls]( & visit an off-leash park - Visit the beach for a romp in the sand - Go for a drive with the windows down - Eat out at a restaurant with a dog-friendly patio - Blow [bacon bubbles]( - Read to your pup from your favorite [book]([scared dog]( - Make dog-friendly treats (with lots of sampling during the process) - Give your dog a [massage]( - Teach your dog a new trick and reward him with [treats]( - Get some [blankets]( and [snuggle]( on the couch If there were ever a reason to get less screen time, this is it. Now go be a good human, look your dog in the eye, and give ‘em some much-deserved love! They always return the favor. [barkshop]( Sam: Writer, Already knew this and spends every waking moment with Haley. You: Dog Parents, Hopefully putting your phones down to give your dog belly rubs. Tazz: Editor, Finally understands Benji's deep intense stares. Was this email forwarded to you and now you want more? [Click here to sign up for the BarkShop newsletter](. ©Bark, Inc. All rights reserved. 221 Canal Street, Floor 2 New York, NY 10013 Stop getting cute dogs in your email? [Unsubscribe](