Skip to main content

Video: This family dog is the world’s best babysitter

This golden takes the best care of his tiny human

If you think family dogs don’t make good babysitters, think again. While it’s true a lot of pets encourage mischief, sometimes a particularly sweet animal will be perfect for the role of human watching. This adorable beastie has his child minding duties down to a science, as seen in the latest TikTok video in which a happy golden retriever follows around his little girl bestie as she plays through her day. It’s called “Who needs a babysitter?” and proves that our buds are up to the task. (Okay, so you shouldn’t actually leave your dog in charge of your child — but there are definitely pups out there who make perfect companions for kids.)

@mostlyadorable

Who needs a babysitter? ??? #furryfriends #doglover #dogsoftiktok #dogsvideo #dogsandkids

♬ angeleyes ABBA – ︎

“Dogs can’t be babysitters,” reads the first title in this funny dog video. We see our golden star with his small child and then cut to her in the bounce house with the label “My dog.” What follows is a look at all the ways he watches her go about the life of an active toddler, always followed by her trusty companion. (Obviously, the pup pup is not truly babysitting as presumably the parent is the one filming.) In addition to being safe, she clearly adores the attention of her furry friend.

Recommended Videos

First, we watch the young girl in her bounce house while the goodest boy waits outside, making sure she doesn’t take a tumble. Then they take a turn on the swings as Fido pretends to push her along (though actually just follows behind, ensuring that she stays safely in place). Lastly, both baby and pup decide to hit the slides. He watches her go down one time to see how it’s done, then goes right up with her and runs down his slide while she glides down hers. It’s truly the perfect picture of two best friends.

A dog sits outside and watches a baby
mali desha / Unsplash

Everyone praised the good dog in the comments, especially other golden owners who have had similar experiences. “Goldens can? My aunt’s golden retriever was my babysitter when I was a child,” mentioned Julia Śliwa. Another poster Becky observed, “The way he followed her to the stairs, made sure she didn’t fall and then waited for her at the end of the slide ?” He doesn’t ever let her out of his sight, that’s for sure.

Repzey said, “Dogs are the best babysitters? That girl will never be as safe as she is with that dog.” Finally, Eliza hit the nail on the head when she said: “The fact that he’s smiling the whole time?” It’s definitely the happiest video we’ve seen all week.

While not all dogs will be perfectly suited to this task, some animals are just born protectors. Certain breeds in particular, get the family-friendly label, especially goldens and labs, who will be more likely to take on the job. Though you’d be hard-pressed to find another pup who does it so well as this big guy.

Rebekkah Adams
Rebekkah’s been a writer and editor for more than 10 years, both in print and digital. In addition to writing about pets…
Why do dogs like squeaky toys? The reasons are sweet and instinctual
The science and psychology behind dogs' love for squeakers
A brown and white border collie carrying a stuffed toy caterpillar in its mouth

If you have a particularly playful dog at home, it's not unusual to spend nearly as much money buying squeaky toys as you do on your dog's food. Destructive dogs have a knack for de-stuffing and de-squeaking toys in record-setting time, but it's still worth it when you're cleaning up shredded toys instead of your new shoes.
But why do dogs like squeaky toys so much? There's something about the high-pitched sound that gets most dogs worked up, but there's no denying that some pups are downright obsessed. Here's what you'll want to know.

Squeaky toys allow your dog to indulge their natural hunting instincts

Read more
Why do dogs run away? Causes, prevention, and tips you need to know
We'll also cover what to do if they manage to escape
Close-up of Labrador dog looking out of a barrier fence

No one loves us more than our dogs, which are ever devoted in their quests for human affection. But like so many people, they're also easily distracted and can dash off at the first sign of something interesting — a squirrel, for instance, will send many a pup out of the house or yard faster than a bullet.

Even a good boy might run away sometimes, but there are some methods you can use to keep your beastie safe and secure. After all, a loose dog is a recipe for trouble. So why do dogs run away? We'll take you through the causes and give you a few tips to get them to stay home.
Why do dogs escape?

Read more
How to potty train a puppy in 4 easy steps
You'll have your pup peeing outside in no time with these tips
Three tan and white puppies under a blanket

It’s a good thing they’re cute. Living with a puppy means a lot of sleepless nights and countless hours teaching her everything — from what her name is to how to walk on a leash to what constitutes an appropriate chew toy. And then, of course, there’s the issue of potty training.

No matter how adorable they are, nobody likes to step in puddles or piles around the house. Fortunately, you can begin potty training puppies as early as 12 weeks of age. And working with them earlier rather than later is recommended. Wondering how to get started? Potty training a puppy is easy if you follow this guide.
How to potty train a puppy

Read more