DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: We lost our good old dog around this time last year.
The rest of the family wanted to get a new puppy right away, but I was not up to it, especially since I knew I would be the one doing most of the care for it.
My son turned 12 last month, and the thing he wanted most in the world was a new puppy. My husband and I talked it over a lot and we concluded at 12 a child is more than able to share in pet care. We thought it would be a good education for him. He is already a great kid, but he could be more responsible.
So we adopted a 9-month-old puppy from the shelter. She had been part of a litter bred by an amateur breeder who didn’t find a buyer for her and one of her siblings and was not interested in keeping either of them.
This is one very sweet puppy, but she has become totally attached to me and obviously prefers me over my son.
He is doing his best to not let me know he is kind of hurt by this, and he does an awesome job helping take care of his puppy. My husband and I are so proud of him for that.
But we are worried he will get discouraged by the lack of obvious devotion from his puppy.
I know dogs usually imprint on or favor some people more than others. Our son’s puppy is good with everyone, but how do we keep our son interested and engaged in caring for the puppy who runs to me whenever I’m around, even if she’s sitting with our son on the couch or his bed? — PUPPY LOVE
DEAR PUPPY LOVE: I’ve seen what you’re experiencing with many dog’s I’ve known through the years. They pick their favorites, and that doesn’t seem to change.
I’d continue encouraging your son to keep up the good work, and perhaps explain to him that it’s in the nature of dogs and other animals to feel a special connection to one person in the family, and that it doesn’t at all mean his puppy loves or trusts him any less.
Dogs know when they’re loved and respond to that. The pup may always slightly favor you, but the more your son continues to do for and with his furry friend should reinforce how he too holds a special place in her world, just as she does in his.
