From Denny: This female Labrador dog named Himalaya is on a mission to help socialize this shy 3-year-old little boy with Down Syndrome. She would gently not take no for an answer. Is it any wonder why dog trainers choose this breed as service dogs? They are simply amazing in their ability to understand and know exactly how to relate to people.
This video clip is especially endearing as this dog just knows to press this child to develop by teaching him to interact with her. His mother says he is very shy about any physical contact and he was not quite sure at first about Himalaya's touching.
But the dog proves to be very patient and tries a few different less threatening postures - like rolling over and showing her belly - to see which one was acceptable to the child. Himalaya finally places her paw on his shoulder and it's like the light finally came on for him after repeated contact he realized was not painful or harmful. The little boy lurches forward and hugs and crawls all over the dog, grabbing her face and pushing it around. His manual dexterity is not yet well developed so his attempts were clumsy.
What's good about this interaction for him is that as the dog encourages the little boy to touch her he will develop that brain-hand connection faster and easier. It's a simple non-verbal relationship that is easy for him to understand and feel comfortable with over time. Dogs like this are real gems! Kudos to Himalaya for giving so much love and understanding. Isn't it interesting how dogs just know?
Years ago I had a fierce looking dog that looked like a wolf with a tail curled up on his back, a black and silver Keeshond named Rocky. He had never been around children. Yet when we went on walks in the neighborhood the toddlers would want to interact with him so he would oblige by lying down on the grass and then allow the children to fall all over him, even pull his fur, all without nipping or complaint. He knew they were clumsy and meant no harm. At picnics he would gladly share ice cream cones with other small children too! I never trained him for any of this. It was that he was just such a good and kind doggie soul.
Check out cool Himalaya in her quest to friend this sweet little boy:
Dogs love to get treated to snacks all day long!
