• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • News
  • General Store
  • Little House on the Prairie Books
    • Little House in the Big Woods
    • Farmer Boy
    • Little House on the Prairie
    • On the Banks of Plum Creek
    • By the Shores of Silver Lake
    • The Long Winter
    • Little Town on the Prairie
    • These Happy Golden Years
    • The First Four Years
    • On the Way Home
    • West From Home
    • Boxed Sets & Special Editions
  • Other Little House Books
    • Little House Chapter Books
  • Other Series
    • The Martha Years – Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Great Grandmother
    • The Charlotte Years – Laura’s Grandmother
    • The Caroline Years – Little House Series about Laura’s Mother
    • The Rose Years – Books About Laura’s Daughter
  • Teachers & Homeschool Printables
    • Little House in the Big Woods
    • Farmer Boy
    • Little House on the Prairie
    • On the Banks of Plum Creek
    • By the Shores of Silver Lake
    • The Long Winter
    • Little Town on the Prairie
    • These Happy Golden Years
    • The First Four Years
    • Entire Series Worksheets
    • Unit Studies For Homeschoolers & Teachers
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Music
  • Crafts & Activities
  • Recipes
  • Research
  • Family & Friends
  • TV Series
    • Frequently Asked Questions About Little House on the Prairie TV Series
  • Historical Sites
    • Pepin, Wisconsin
    • Rothville, Missouri
    • Independence, Kansas
    • Walnut Grove, Minnesota
    • Burr Oak, Iowa
    • De Smet, South Dakota
    • Vinton, Iowa
    • Spring Valley, Minnesota
    • Westville, Florida
    • Mansfield, Missouri
    • Malone, New York
    • Cuba, New York
    • Keystone, South Dakota
    • Pomona, California

Laura Ingalls Wilder Little House on the Prairie Definitive Guide

Laura Ingalls Wilder & the Little House Books

Home » Frequently Asked Questions About Laura Ingalls Wilder & Little House Books » Why did Jack Walk Beside the Wagon Instead of Inside It?

Why did Jack Walk Beside the Wagon Instead of Inside It?

One of the aspects of the Little House books that confuses modern day readers is why Jack always trotted along beside the covered wagon instead of inside it, including when they had to make dangerous water crossings across fast moving rivers.

During the era that the Little House books took place, dogs were considered less pets and more a working animal on a farm, similar to how other animals such as horses or cows are working animals.  And for pioneer families, especially those travelling west, a dog was seen as a necessity to provide protection to the family.

Dogs could alert families to any dangerous animals or anyone approaching their campsite each night, which is also why Jack slept under the wagon instead of within the wagon box with Laura, her mother and her sisters.

In Little House on the Prairie, Charles remarks how foolish it was for the couple they found stranded on the trail to not have a dog, because a dog would have alerted the couple that someone was stealing their horses.

Share your love of Little House

Related Posts:

  • The 100 Mile Walk - Little House on the Prairie TV Episode
    The 100 Mile Walk - Little House on the Prairie TV Episode
  • The Man Inside - Little House on the Prairie TV Episode
    The Man Inside - Little House on the Prairie TV Episode
  • What did families eat while travelling in a covered wagon?
    What did families eat while travelling in a covered wagon?
  • The Adventures of Laura & Jack - A Little House Chapter Book
    The Adventures of Laura & Jack - A Little House Chapter Book
  • Covered Wagon Journal Activity Page
    Covered Wagon Journal Activity Page
  • Packing Your Covered Wagon - Little House Pioneer Activity
    Packing Your Covered Wagon - Little House Pioneer Activity

Primary Sidebar

General Store

  • Biographies, Research, Letters & Articles (32)
  • Collectibles (23)
  • Collector Books & Boxed Sets (10)
  • Cookbooks (5)
  • Crafts (6)
  • Dolls (21)
  • Home Decor (2)
  • Homeschool Resources (22)
  • Laura Ingalls Wilder Quilting Patterns & Fabric (18)
  • Little House Book Series (1)
  • Little House on the Prairie TV Series (19)
  • Other Pioneer Books (19)
  • Pioneer Clothing for Cosplay, Reenactments, Dressing Up & Costumes (126)
  • Pioneer Food (11)
  • Pioneer Living (8)
  • Related Little House Book Series (5)
  • Sewing Patterns (15)

Free Little House in the Big Woods Unit Study

… Our free exclusive unit study for Little House in the Big Woods with 32 worksheets plus additional activities, recipes, songs and more. about Free Little House in the Big Woods Unit Study

Sew Little House Costumes

… Patterns for making pioneer dresses, bonnets, aprons and mores for women & girls about Sewing Little House on the Prairie Pioneer Costumes

Little House Collector’s Editions

… Discover special editions and boxed sets of the Little House Books about Boxed Sets & Special Editions of the Little House Books

Some of our posts contain affiliate links and we will receive an affiliate commission for purchases. This is a great way to support what we do and see more great content!

Copyright © 2023 · Lifestyle Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Visit our new General Store for books about Laura and pioneer life, along with DVDs, pioneer food, sewing and quilting. Dismiss