Dogs & Toddlers: Rosa’s & Mac’s Best Human Friend

Welcome to the Wednesday Dogs of Dogster! Every Wednesday, we share a story from one of our Dogsters. This week is about Nicole and her two rescue dogs, Mac and Rosa.

There’s something undeniably heartwarming about witnessing a bond between a toddler and a dog. There are plenty of viral videos with cuteness overload that often leave viewers like me wondering, ‘Is that real?’ When I had my daughter nearly three years ago, I got to learn and witness firsthand the reality of the bond, and it is honestly even more beautiful in real life.

Watching these two very different beings—one full of wobbly curiosity and the other with patient loyalty—build a connection can be one of the most rewarding parts of family life. While every household is unique, in our home, like many other homes, we find that raising our child alongside our two dogs has enriched the lives of both.

Now, I’m not suggesting that everyone who has a toddler or a baby go out to adopt a dog, or that everyone with a dog should immediately try for a baby. I’m just here to share our experience.

It Started With a Cat

We welcomed our first dog, Rosa, into our home a few years after we had established ourselves as a cat family. Rosa had to learn to respect the King kitty and be gentle around him, which we didn’t know at the time, was excellent practice for welcoming a tiny human into the home.

A year later, when I found out I was pregnant, we decided to get our dog a dog. Rosa was a relatively high-needs pup, and I was worried that welcoming a baby would make her feel left out and more anxious, so we took a risk and adopted a second, bigger dog. We lucked out, as our Mac is the friendliest giant I’ve ever met, and took his position at the bottom of the pecking order with grace and honor. Another excellent practice for welcoming the tiny human.

Both dogs noticed my growing belly, but they weren’t obsessed with it in any way. Rosa is a mom herself, so she understood what was going on, but Mac, I think he just thought I might have been eating too many pies.

I remember crying a lot a few days after our daughter was born, and the dogs were still at their daycare, giving us space to get accustomed to our new family situation, worried that I wouldn’t have enough love in my heart for my new baby and my three fur babies. It was so silly, because as soon as they got home and we introduced them to her, I knew this would be one big happy family.

Pro Tip: Our dog-whisperer doggy daycare owner told us to introduce the dogs to the baby, not the other way around, to establish the hierarchy. So saying, ‘[dog’s name], this is [baby’s name]’ instead of ‘hey baby, this is [dog’s name].’ And consistently say the baby’s name when the dog is around.

Safety First

Supervision and training are non-negotiable for fostering a safe and happy relationship. Infants and toddlers don’t naturally understand a dog’s boundaries, and even the gentlest dog can react if startled or hurt. I remember when our daughter was learning to crawl and Mac was lying right in her path, so she crawled right over top of him. As she launched off of him, she used her legs to kick off and her foot connected full force with his penis. The poor guy yelped and stood up, and ran away as quickly as possible, and for a few months, if she was crawling nearby, he was up and out of the way before there was any risk of being in her path again. Had I not been around supervising, I trust that he would have done the same thing, but it would never be something I’d risk. Being present is immensely important.

Teaching a toddler to use gentle hands can be tricky and takes a lot of focused, undivided practice. Kids should avoid the dog’s face and tail, and know to give the dog space when they’re eating, sleeping, or retreating to their bed or crate. In turn, if you haven’t had your dog since your child was born, ensure your dog has been socialized with children or is gradually and positively introduced to them.

And know your dog. If your dog shows signs of stress—lip licking, yawning, stiff body posture—guide your child away and give the dog space. Training for both the dog and the toddler helps build a safe, respectful dynamic.

If you can’t be present, move the dog or the toddler out of the room until you can be present with them both again.

Benefits for Toddlers

Dogs can help toddlers learn empathy, responsibility, and emotional regulation. When a child grows up with a dog, they often begin to understand the concept of caring for another living being: feeding, gentle touching, recognizing when the dog is happy or needs space. Many toddlers begin to mirror the emotional cues of their furry friend, which can be especially helpful as they learn to manage their big feelings. And let’s not forget the simple joy of companionship—dogs are often a toddler’s first best friend.

We’ve had our daughter help feed the dogs their breakfast and dinner since she was big enough to walk, teaching her the commands as well. This helped establish responsibility for our daughter, and it let the dogs know that she should be respected because she has the power to feed them.

Benefits for Dogs

While not every dog is a toddler enthusiast, many are excited about the chance to be part of a young child’s life. Dogs who enjoy children often become protective and nurturing. They might follow the toddler from room to room, offer a reassuring lick after a tantrum, or simply lie nearby during story time. For dogs who thrive on structure and purpose, having a toddler in the house can add a new sense of meaning.

But more than the emotional connection, I find that dogs know who will feed them extra. If you think your child is eating everything on their plate and you have a dog in the home, think again! They work and eat as a team.

In our home, Mac is more engaged with our daughter when she is awake and wants to play with her. We often hear ‘Mac is getting in my business!’, and poor guy, he’s so big it’s hard not to be in someone’s business. Rosa is much more the calm protector, and loves our toddler when she’s sleeping. One thing I know for sure — don’t mess with the kid, she’s got the dogs on her side.

Building a Lasting Friendship

We’ve had three years of memories so far and so many more to come. From beach days to snuggle sessions, it’s been one of the most special friendship journeys I’ve ever witnessed, and I feel so lucky to have it unfolding daily in my home.

Our toddler has learned to be gentle and kind with all animals, not just the ones she lives with, and our dogs are welcoming to all humans, no matter their size.

Do you have a dog and human friendship in your home? We’d love to hear about it! Share your story in the comments below.