Connections to Canines?

It probably just wanted your food. Do not quick to assume that everything that happens has something to do with magic/anything ' out of the ordinary'. It was probably just a dog that wandered away from its owner(s) and was tame. Not everybody puts collars on their dogs, at home or at public events. If your dog felt threatened, then it would have showed signs. You should look into learning dog behavors and proper ways to approach unfamiliar dogs.

That's also just a single event and it was 2-3 years ago.

when it came up to me, i wasn't holding food in my hands

No connection to dogs, hunny. A little puppy was just a curious critter.

are there any spells to get a better connection with animals or dogs??

No, just spend time with them. Do meditation, one could be your spirit animal. Other that, no.

im also curious, i have looked at the forums in "Spiritual Creatures" what is a animal familiar?

Familiar is short for familiar spirit and refers to, essentially, a spirit that helps you with your magic and other things to that effect. An animal familiar is essentially the same idea but with a living animal rather than a spirit. I'm pretty sure it's mostly Hollywood that's become common belief because pop culture has spread it a lot.

I'm sorry with all of the questions (I'm new) what is a spirit animal?

There are a few definitions of an animal spirit. One is the spirit of an animal, as in the animal's soul. Another is when you allow yourself to be possessed by an animal spirit, like a were (think werewolf). Another is the idea that one is or acts like an animal. It can also refer to a mythological creature (there are those that see them as existing is a spirit world) like a unicorn, etc. It could also refer to one's familiar.