Heartwarming footage has been shared of a toddler showing his golden retriever best friend where their mom hides the dog treats.
Allissa Mason filmed the moment her 2-year-old son rewarded the family dog Hudson with a well-earned treat from one of the kitchen cupboards.
Though he may be an only child, Allissa told Newsweek she and her husband Matt still consider Hudson, who they got in 2018, to be their “first child.” “Hudson loves to be around people, playing with his tiny humans, going for walks and playing in water,” she said. “Pools, beaches, and puddles alike!”
Something of a social media celebrity, Hudson has been entertaining animal lovers on TikTok from an early age under the handle hudsonbegood. “Hudson was just the cutest puppy, and we wanted a place to share his photos and videos with families and friends,” Allissa said.
TikTok/hudsonbegood
Hudson’s life has changed considerably since the account was started. The family made the move from New York City to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, while, a little over two years ago, Matt and Allissa welcomed the arrival of a baby boy, their son.
“He has grown up alongside Hudson from the very beginning, which was important to us,” Alissa said. “It’s been a joy to see our son grow up through the eyes of a golden retriever, as well as experiencing Hudson through the eyes of a toddler!”
They are a good match. Psychologist and leading canine researcher Stanley Coren, PhD previously suggested dogs possess a level of intelligence on a par with a two-year-old child.
That’s something Alissa is very much aware of and part of what makes her son’s interactions with Hudson fascinating to watch. “Some video creators stage scenes up—and we really try not to do that,” she said. “Hudson’s best videos have always been real-life moments in real-time.”
According to a 2022 study published in the journal Preventive Medicine Reports, children aged between two and five gain a variety of benefits from living alongside a dog.
Regular walks and playtime led to increased physical activity and, as a result, improved sleep and reduced screen time. Alissa believes the benefits for her son go beyond that though. He doesn’t just have a dog, he has a friend.
“Hudson and his tiny human brother are best friends,” she said. “But it has been an important process to teach our son that Hudson is a dog and important boundaries and norms when being around dogs.”
Hudson and his baby brother share many interests. They enjoy Zoomies in the yard, trips to the park and playing with tennis balls. One thing they are both especially fond of, however, is treats.
“It’s important for little humans growing up with big dogs to know how to safely interact,” Alissa said. “But for anyone who has toddlers and goldens, know both are hard to contain and both are definitely treat motivated!”
Hudson has the best possible ally in that respect, as a recent video posted to his TikTok shows. It captures Alissa’s son showing his golden retriever friend where mom hides the treats. But while the clip may appear like a little boy and his dog getting up to mischief, interactions like this are valuable learning experiences for all involved.
“Helping out with daily tasks and chores is something our son loves to do and finds ownership in the tasks,” Alissa said. “Learning basic commands and when to reward Hudson is a great experience and skill for both our boys to learn.”
It’s just one example of the special bond that exists between boy and dog and one that clearly gives both parties a lot of satisfaction. “Toddlers model what their parents do,” Alissa said. “So our toddler loves giving Hudson his treats.”