like secret said, it's tough. I'm 18 and I have a stuffed dog I've had since I was 4. the dog wasn't automatically comforting at first but I started to get her when I was upset and tell myself that it was calming until it finally was. now I don't have to try, I associate this dog with calming down. also my real dog comforts me a lot, and I feel safe with him even though he's terrified of everything.