Owner Catches Golden Retriever Red-Handed 'Bullying' Another Dog
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
One thirsty dog has gained attention online for its tactics to get to the water bowl first.
A TikTok video of the pup has gone viral after the golden retriever's assertive tactic to get a drink of water delighted viewers. With a swipe of the paw, the golden asserted its dominance over its doggy daycare playmate. Since the video was posted, it has received over 816,000 views.
"When your dog gets caught bullying on camera...diva is a female version of a hustler," the owner wrote in the caption, referencing the iconic Beyoncé song, "Diva."
Stock image: A dog holds a toy in its mouth while another dog seeks it.
Stock image: A dog holds a toy in its mouth while another dog seeks it.The clip, posted by @benf3rrd, shows the golden retriever nudging another dog away from the water bowl with a swift nudge.
The video immediately sparked relatable reactions among TikTok users, many of whom drew parallels to childhood experiences.
"It's giving back in elementary school when there were only three water fountains and there would be a line, and you had to tap the person in front of you to tell them they had enough and it's your turn," one commenter wrote. Another also captured the schoolyard dynamic: "This is like elementary when the kids behind you at the water fountain would count to five," they shared.
The playful, yet slightly aggressive, nature of the interaction also led one user to declare, "She really said 'beat it nerd.'" While the scene was hilarious, some viewers couldn't help but feel for the displaced dog: "My feelings are hurt for the other dog," one person confessed.
The owner later provided context in the comments, clarifying the nature of the interaction: "This was taken at daycare and yes [the staff] should have corrected her, but these two get along great and are literally BFFs!" This crucial detail suggests the behavior was likely a cheeky act between friends rather than true aggression.
Resource Guarding vs. Playfulness
The golden retriever's behavior, while funny, touches upon a common topic in dog behavior: resource guarding.
According to a blog post by the American Kennel Club (AKC), resource guarding in dogs is when they "growl, stiffen, lunge or even bite when you go near or try to retrieve something from them," such as food or toys. It's a natural instinct for feral dogs for survival, but less desirable in domesticated pets. The AKC noted that "Some dogs don't mind being petted, interrupted or accidentally bumped into during mealtime or playtime. However, others mind such disturbances very much."
The post explained that resource guarding can manifest through various body language signs like body stiffening, hard stares or baring teeth. Any dog can be prone to resource guarding, and the environment the pup grows up in can have a strong influence on the probability of the behavior.
In the case of the viral video, however, the owner's context that the dogs get along well suggests that this swat was likely a boundary-testing nudge. True resource guarding is a serious issue that often involves strong warning signals from the dog—and can be problematic if left unaddressed.
Newsweek reached out to @benf3rrd for comment via TikTok.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
29 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Rescue Dog Obsessed With Laundry Baskets Wins Pet of the Week
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A week of pet videos carried us into a new month, which just so happens to be National Dog Month. And what better way to honor these furry companions than by highlighting pets from our readers? These dogs, while sometimes getting into trouble, bring a smile to their owners' face daily. They are a crucial piece to their family tree. If you wish to feature your pet in Newsweek's Pet of the Week, follow the instructions at the end of this article to get involved. Winner Photos of Laina resting in a basket; and looking up at the camera through a trolley. Photos of Laina resting in a basket; and looking up at the camera through a trolley. Patti Generale Laina, a rescue hound, instantly captured our hearts with her silly habits that helped brighten her owner's day, earning her spot as this week's winner. Owner Patti Generale told Newsweek via email that Laina is obsessed with laundry baskets. There is no rhyme or reason for it, but you can almost always find her sitting in one. Otherwise, you might see her cozying up next to you if you have food. She is a "very food-motivated" dog. Generale said: "She brought us a lot of joy." Finalists Photos of two 7-year-old Cavachons dogs at home. Photos of two 7-year-old Cavachons dogs at home. Vicki Peacock Our first finalist for this week comes from owner Vicki Peacock's two Cavachons—a Cavalier King Charles spaniel and the bichon frisé mix. Peacock originally wanted a boy dog, but after seeing one female pup, she couldn't resist getting her, she told Newsweek via email. Now, she has Harvey and Coco, who are from the same litter. These two 7-year-old dogs are sweet-natured; however, they tend to get into mischief. "Harvey is the leader and thinks he is much bigger than he is, but they are very sweet and gentle and love to make friends," Peacock said. Otherwise, they enjoy cuddle sessions and their quiet time. They have been nothing but great company for Peacock, who lives alone, making her laugh every day, she said. Photos of Daisy, a 1-year-old rottsky dog, resting at home. Photos of Daisy, a 1-year-old rottsky dog, resting at home. Karen Garcia Next up, we have a 1-year-old dog named Daisy, whom owner Karen Garcia likes to call a "Rotten Rottsky" due to her mischievous personality. This rottsky and Siberian husky mix came from an unexpected litter, Garcia told Newsweek. "She has a unique, dominating, mischievous personality that's humorous at times," she said. Photos of a 1-year-old French bulldog named Pierre playing outside. Photos of a 1-year-old French bulldog named Pierre playing outside. Jamie High Last, but not least, is a French bulldog named Pierre, whom the owner cannot thank enough for bringing joy into every day. The owner, Jamie High, told Newsweek that Pierre is nearing 1 year old. And as a pup, he is constantly getting into something. He can be a "handful," but that's what makes Pierre, Pierre. "He helped me through a very tough time in my life, and I'm grateful every day," High said. "I wouldn't change a thing about him!" If you think your pet could be next week's Newsweek "Pet of the Week," send us your funny and heartwarming videos and pictures of your pet, along with a bit about them, to life@ and they could appear in our "Pet of the Week" lineup.
NBC News
29 minutes ago
- NBC News
It's a good time to be a nostalgic millennial
The Backstreet Boys are playing to sold-out crowds. Lindsay Lohan is starring in a new 'Freaky Friday' movie. And former 'Dawson's Creek' co-stars and exes Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson were recently spotted filming a new project in New York City. No, it's not the early 2000s — but millennials feel like they're so back. As the saying goes, what's old often becomes new again. And millennials, typically defined as individuals born between the early 1980s and the mid-1990s, are now at a point in their lives where their generational nostalgia is front and center. This recent surge in millennial-focused pop culture serves as 'the next level of escapism' for the generation, said Kate Kennedy, author of 'One in a Millennial: On Friendship, Feelings, Fangirls, and Fitting In.' 'It returns us to a time when our biggest worry was getting in line for a CD, not whether we would be able to afford a house,' Kennedy said. At the Sphere in Las Vegas, that sentiment was echoed by thousands of Backstreet Boys concertgoers, many wearing all-white attire in homage to the band's 'Millennium' album, singing along to hits like 'Drowning.' Those who couldn't attend watched the concerts unfold on TikTok — where some videos have amassed millions of views. 'This healed more of my childhood in 1.5 hours than any therapist has,' one TikTok user wrote in the caption of their video from the show. 'I feel like I just time traveled,' another creator wrote in the text of their video from the concert. 'At the Sphere, listening to Backstreet Boys, wearing an all white 90s outfit, taking Jell-O shots.' Kennedy, who went to the Backstreet Boys concert last weekend, described nostalgia as a 'connective tissue that makes people feel less alone and less judgmental toward themselves, because other people like what they like, too.' 'I think we're a more lonely and isolated generation as adults than we ever anticipated that we would be in our youth,' she said, adding that millennials 'straddle two very different eras in terms of technology and information.' Generations 'can be hard on each other online,' Kennedy noted. But now, 'after several years of being called cringe, or 'cheugy,' we millennials are leaning in.' The longing for the millennial era has even crossed generational lines. Gen Zers, who once mocked millennial culture, are now romanticizing it. On TikTok, hundreds of users have recently posted tributes to all things millennial — from Tumblr and skinny jeans to upbeat music, Barack Obama and, perhaps most notably, HBO's TV series 'Girls.' Perhaps sensing that enthusiasm, a string of early 2000s artists have stepped back into the spotlight. Nelly, Creed and The All-American Rejects — all staples of the late '90s and early aughts — have launched tours. Beyoncé brought her Destiny's Child bandmates Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland on stage for her final 'Cowboy Carter' show in Las Vegas last weekend, marking the group's first reunion in seven years. Hollywood is also jumping on the trend. Studios continue to green-light sequels, prequels and spinoffs based on beloved titles from the '90s and 2000s. Shots of Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt filming the sequel to the 2006 hit 'The Devil Wears Prada' in New York City have caused a frenzy. Fans online are analyzing the actors' high-fashion looks and others are reportedly lining up to catch glimpses of the stars in person as they shoot, according to Variety. Adam Sandler's 'Happy Gilmore 2,' which came out almost 30 years after the 1996 film, debuted to 46.7 million views on Netflix, making it the streamer's largest U.S. film opening ever.
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Rottweiler Finds Musical Instrument, Gets Stuck in the Most Unexpected Way
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. In a vet clinic in New South Wales, Australia, one dog surprised staff when she arrived in "a bit of a pickle." Koda, a 10-month-old rottweiler, had surprised her mom when she returned home from her first Tinder date and found her pup at the door. The surprise? A white circular object was lodged firmly in her mouth. The pup had managed to get hold of a Zendrum—a hand-held percussion instrument—and accidentally lodged it in her mouth. Koda's owner rushed her to the vet where veterinarian and clinic owner Dr. Bruce Krumm quickly stepped in. "We sedated Koda first, then intubated her as a precaution in case general anesthesia was required. Fortunately, Dr. Krumm was able to remove the Zendrum without needing to fully anaesthetise her," Tiana McLaren, practice manager at Kanwal Veterinary Hospital, told Newsweek. Pictures of Koda the dog with the Zendrum instrument in her mouth. Pictures of Koda the dog with the Zendrum instrument in her mouth. @kanwalvet/Instagram "Cases like this are rare. While we often see foreign-body ingestion, it's not every day something gets stuck quite like this," McLaren said. Unexpectedly consumed items are no surprise in the pet world. In 2023, pet medical insurance company Trupanion reported that it handled 24,000 foreign-body ingestion claims in pets. The average claim was $878, while the highest claim was $27,403. The clinic shared a video of the moment on Instagram where it has been viewed more than 540,000 times. In the comments, people shared their reactions. "Sooo he bit more than he could chew," joked one viewer, while another said: "They just wanted to be a drummer." "Miss Koda is still cute," wrote a third commenter. "Even with a Zen drum stuck to her snoot." Not all feedback was friendly, though. Some social-media users suggested the procedure must have cost the owner thousands and accused veterinarians of profiteering. But McLaren said: "Just to put things into perspective—the total cost of the procedure was $259. It's not about a money grab. It's about caring for animals." Koda is now doing just fine, free from the musical drum, and her mom is still seeing the man from the first date who got to see it all. This isn't the first time an unusual vet story has captured viral attention. Earlier this year, an owner panicked when her dog started acting strangely, only to discover that the pup had accidentally eaten a THC-infused edible. Another dog owner found herself left with a $600 vet bill, but the diagnosis was far from expected. After a trip to the veterinarian, they found out that the dog was simply struggling with gas. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
