We bought this for my two year old daughter when we went to Disneyland. I was worried that she wouldn't want to keep the backpack on but she loved it. Her older brothers treated her like a dog and made her walk them around but it kept her nearby and in our sight. Yes, it's a leash. Yes, it's dog-like. Yes, I still have my daughter after 3 days in Disneyland. It's worth the emotional scars you think your kid will have but actually won't.