Concerning the Bond Between a Child and Dog

I was once told this incredible story of when I was a baby….

My mom was cooking dinner one night while my dad sat at the kitchen table with me in a highchair. I don’t recall what he was doing in the story, but I do recall that I was rocking back and forth in my highchair when all of a sudden, I rocked a little too hard backwards. Before I fell too far back, though, Lady instantly leapt into action and pushed my highchair forward to balance me out enough for my dad to grab the chair. She saved me, and that wasn’t the only time.

Lady was my first dog, my first best friend. A beautiful and fluffy Keeshound. I don’t remember her, but I was lucky enough that my parents kept pictures of her and has told me some of the adventures and mischief that dog and I got into.

Why is the bond between a baby/toddler and their puppy considered a special connection?

Simple. The cuteness overload!

Dogs are loyal but their trust is fragile. They’re fierce protectors but giant babies, nonetheless. They’re the watchmen of the night but encourages the mischievous in all of us. As a puppy, they crave nothing but attention, a playmate, and endless fun until the very last second of which they instantly fall asleep in the middle of a run and fall over. Babies and toddlers are much like the same in that aspect (at least from my experience with my nieces and nephews).

Dogs develop at a different rate than humans, developing natural instincts that they desire. Protecting their pack is one of those instincts. Much like a natural maternal/paternal instinct. It’s an interesting hierarchy discovered in wolves and the ancestors of the common domesticated dogs we have now, where each one protects a weaker member of the pack.

As the dog develops and grows into those natural instincts, those humans become the pack and the dog would risk his own life for them. As tiny as my Pomeranian was, he thought he was the fiercest dog there was when he thought a threat was coming into his home.

Impact on the child

Along with the unconditional love and protection from the dog, there are many impacts to the child’s development as a result from the special bond. Studies have shown that children who grow up with a dog, tend to be more responsible, happy, and learn different values. Children grow to become more respectful and confident in themselves.

If I would have known all that between the ages of 3-8, I would have used all this information as key points as to why my parents should get another family dog after we lost Lady. I’m still thankful they finally caved in years later.

Tell us an amazing and special memory with your dog!

Authored by JB Spencer