09-07-2025
Dog Moves to New Neighborhood, How He Introduces Himself Melts Hearts
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In a viral TikTok video, a golden retriever made an unforgettable first impression on his new neighbors after deciding to introduce himself as they played ball with their dog at the park.
The heartwarming clip, shared in May under the username @drewpack1, shows the golden retriever playing with the poster and her dogs at the park, enjoying his time with the new friend he made.
"We have a new dog in the neighborhood! He saw us playing ball with our dogs and nervously showed up with his ball. He is still a little shy of me, but he let me get his ball! I love this neighborhood," reads layover text in the clip.
The poster says in the caption that the pup's name is Rancher and he is getting used to the neighborhood really well.
The cute video quickly went viral on social media, receiving over 4 million views and more than 659,000 likes on the platform.
One user, Diannelis, commented: "Excuse me? Hi. This is my ball. You can throw it, but only if you want to. No pressure though. Thank you."
Sadfatbxtch420 posted: "I love how your dogs didn't even question it. Just accepted him immediately."
The pup's owner, Ash, also commented on the post: "Our boy. Thanks for loving him. He LOVES his ball."
While the poster's canines immediately accepted their new friend, as shown in the second part of the clip, most dogs need time to get to know each other. So, if you are planning to add a new pup to your household, get ready for a proper introduction.
The Animal Humane Society says that, to introduce the pups you will need one person per dog, 4- to 6-foot nylon or leather leashes, a spacious, neutral area, preferably outdoors, and high-value treats.
Use a happy, calm voice all through the process, and keep the leash as loose as possible while still maintaining control. Avoid punishing your dog if they get too excited and start barking, or whining.
Stock image: A golden retriever holds a fetch ball in his mouth.
Stock image: A golden retriever holds a fetch ball in his mouth.
getty images
It is best to start in a neutral territory like a park, walking on opposite sides of the road but in the same direction, giving each dog a treat every time they look at each other. Keep walking and repeat the reward method three to five times.
Slowly decrease the distance after a few walks, until the two humans can walk next to each other without the dogs obsessing over the other canine. Once the animals are consistently walking well, allow them to circle and sniff each other for a few seconds, then lead them away.
Only when the dogs seem fine in each other's company can you allow them loose in a fenced area. You can read more about introducing dogs here.
Newsweek reached out to @drewpack1 for comment. We could not verify the details of the case.
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