懐く

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: Here, 懐く is read なつく and means becoming attached to someone.
• Basic usage: Use it for a dog growing attached to a family or a child warming to a teacher.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• The person they warm to
  • Mark the person or people with に, as in the example 家族に懐いてきた.
• Not simply obeying
  • 従う can mean following instructions or rules, whereas 懐く focuses on familiarity and attachment.