Rescue Golden Retriever Gets 'Smaller' To Play With Toddler And It's Too Sweet
Golden retrievers are known to be good dogs for homes with kids due to their friendly nature and people-pleasing ways. Even when a goldie doesn't live in a household with kids, they still seem to love them, exemplified by this sweet TikTok video of a rescue dog meeting a small child for the very first time. The dog seems to instinctively know what to do, getting down on the ground to mimic the toddler's height. You have to see it to believe it!
@kyliespc Watch my 5 year old rescue golden, who's never seen a child before in her entire life, meet my friends son for the first time. 🥹🥰 (ignore the Sam Smith loop, it was karaoke night 😂) #fy #goldenretriever #firstimpression #rescuedog #dogandbaby @suz👑
The pet parent notes in the video that the 5-year-old rescue pup has never even seen a child before, let alone interacted with one, but when a friend's toddler son came over to say hi, the dog — and child — were smitten. The golden retriever is first seen lying down and rolling over onto one side to reach out to the kid, and there is a collective "aww" from the adults watching. As the moment unfolds, the child and pup are clearly enamored, with the little kid even going in for a doggy kiss, and the dog happily obliging.
"The pure innocence of both souls 😩," said one person in the comments, as another added, "The way dogs know they're with a tiny human & are extra gentle is so insane to me😭 ugh we don't deserve dogs." It's clear we're not the only ones who can never get enough of dogs and babies being adorable together!
Top safety tips for children and dogs
Golden retrievers are known to be great with kids, as are several other breeds of dogs. However, it really comes down to individual personality and training for each and every dog. No matter how well-trained or nice and gentle a dog is with kids or people in general, they still have their limits. It's important to teach kids how to properly interact with four-legged friends, both for the kid's safety and well-being, and the dog's.
Children should learn that calm behavior and gentle pats are necessary to interact with a pup. Dogs do not like to be hit, pulled on, or climbed on, and a pup's personal space needs to be respected, especially when they are eating, sleeping, or playing with a toy, as they can become territorial during these times. Always supervise children around dogs, especially very young ones, regardless of a dog's personality or temperament. Make sure to have a safe space, like a separate room or crate, for the dog to retreat to if needed.
With some basic rules and safety tools under their belts, kids will hopefully develop a lifelong love and understanding of dogs that will benefit them and any dog who crosses their path. If you're interested in learning more about children interacting with dogs, here's what type of dog to get if you have kids.