Six-Year-Old Starts Saving In Order To Buy Puppy — Then Grandparents Tell Him To Hold Out Hands

Sep 30, 2020

Back in 2019, a then six-year-old Xander Mellor was visiting his grandparents' house in Springfield, Illinois when his family surprised him with a puppy after he saved spare change for 18 months to get one.

It’s no secret that we humans love and adore our puppies. But did you know that when you bring physical contact with a puppy into your life, it has concrete health advantages? When you pet or play with a puppy, it triggers an influx of oxytocin, says Psychology Today. The hormone oxytocin is produced by the hypothalamus and has a calming effect. It is also known as the “love drug” because it gives you a feeling of being loving and tranquil and also plays a role in social bonding.

Contact with humans also has a major benefit for the puppy itself, according to Fetch by WebMD. Very young canines tend to be on edge. Additionally, you may not know it from their behavior, but canine puppies feel a lot of stress daily, even in a very positive, safe environment.

Physical contact with their human or humans alleviates that edge and can keep them from getting stressed. However, there are specific ways to touch a puppy to alleviate stress and give them a happy, more cheerful life.

Canines, both puppies and adults, like to be touched or petted on the chest, shoulder, and along their spine at the base of the tail, according to Vet Street. This is true for pretty much all dogs. Your specific dog may have favorite spots of his own. For example, many dogs like to be scratched between the ears or at the base of its neck.

A lot of dogs also like their belly rubbed. Most dogs also will move away when you try and touch certain spots such as their tails, paws, or ears. When you must touch those spots, such as to clip nails, try petting one of your pooch’s preferred spots simultaneously.

Petting is also a great way to encourage good behavior. While many dog owners give their dog verbal praise when they do something good or follow a command, studies show that dogs favor petting more than they do verbal praise, according to Companion Animal Psychology. The example this sets for the child is another reason to consider a pup when you have a child.

A then six-year-old Xander Mellor from Springfield, Illinois had saved up his change for nearly 18 months to buy a puppy when he received an incredible surprise one day when his grandparents stopped by for a visit. Check out this video of Xander’s absolutely adorable reaction to his surprise puppy!

What do you think about having a puppy grow up with your young child or baby? The benefits have been proven, yet some parents are still hesitant. Pass this information along to anyone who might be on the fence, or just pass along this priceless video of Xander’s reaction to his new pup!