Sweet Golden Retriever Is 'So Shy' She Gets Put With the Puppies at Day Care

Newsweek

10-05-2025

A viral video of a shy dog who had to be placed in a group of smaller puppies has left people in stitches. With more than 400,000 views, Junie the dog has melted hearts.
In the short clip posted by @kellyandjunieb on TikTok, golden retriever puppy Junie was lying quietly on the floor surrounded by smaller puppies. The caption read: "When she's too shy to be with the big dogs so she gets stuck with the tinys," while the on-screen text explained: "Junie gets put with the tiny dogs at puppy play because she's so shy."
Junie's gentle nature and timid demeanor instantly struck a chord with viewers, many of whom shared their own stories of shy or nervous pets in the comment section.
One user, @sarahanne666, said: "My shy Border collie faked a limp during play group. It happened three different times and the trainer said he had never seen anything like that." Another viewer, @InsanitiesLittleDuckling, shared a memory of her adult Rottweiler who once peed in fear upon seeing a Great Dane for the first time. "Poor dog was just standing there being a good boy," she said.
Viewer @unnDunn shared a similar story: "Our German shepherd puppy got put with 'the littles' when she started doggy daycare."
While Junie's bashful behavior might seem unusual to some, it's far from uncommon in the world of puppy play sessions. Puppy socialization classes are designed to help young dogs, typically under five months old, to build confidence, learn basic manners, and become comfortable around other dogs in a safe, structured environment.
Michelle Bernstein, veterinary professional and animal behaviorist at Switch4Good, told Newsweek: "There are many factors that can determine why a dog can be more shy than other dogs and can include not being properly socialized, traumatic history, or even illness.
"There is also the factor of genetics, and similar to humans, they could have more of an introverted personality," Bernstein said.
For pet parents worried about their shy dog, Bernstein also had some advice, saying: "Depending on why your dog is acting shy around other dogs, there are good ways to encourage your dog. We never want to make our dogs do anything they don't want to, it's all about positive reinforcement and not forced behavior," she said.
"First, you want to learn how to recognize the signs. How is their body language? Are their ears pinned back, tail between their legs? Are they constantly licking their paws or lips? All of these are signs of fear or anxiety," Bernstein added.
"To help your dog, make sure to always go slow and use gentle introductions with anything new to them. Allow your dog to go at their own pace. When they are comfortable, staying at a slow pace, try to introduce them to different people, animals, and things, and have those people and animals also interact at a slow pace as well."
While many dogs will settle in their own time with the right support, Bernstein said that it is always a good idea to consult a veterinarian and professional behaviorist if you are concerned about your pet.
In 2022, another nervous dog gained viral attention after overcoming his fears to make new friends.
Pablo the Staffordshire bull terrier delighted the internet when he went from walking alone wearing a yellow reflective jacket with the word "nervous" to playing with four dog friends at a local park.
Newsweek reached out to @kellyandjunieb via TikTok for comment.