02-06-2025
Golden Retriever Puppy's Reaction to First Ever Social Event Melts Hearts
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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A video of a golden retriever puppy appearing visibly wiped out following its first attempt at socialization has captivated the hearts of users on TikTok.
The video, posted on May 31 by @farmttkoko, which documents the life of a dog named Chicken Nugget, has garnered over 9.1 million views. In the short clip, the golden retriever puppy is slumped in the passenger seat of a car, head leaning against the side, eyes cast downward in tired resignation.
"How was your first socialization outing?" a voice off-camera asks. The puppy does not respond, maintaining a blank stare.
"It was hard?" the voice continues.
The puppy remains still, prompting the speaker to say, "You tired? Okay," as the video comes to an end.
The golden retriever's reaction offers a relatable depiction of how young animals—and humans—might feel when confronted with the unfamiliar. It also underscores the challenges of early socialization for puppies, a crucial stage in their development.
Veterinarians Ellen Lindell, Debra Horwitz and Gary Landsberg, along with licensed veterinary technician Monique Feyrecilde, emphasized the importance of early socialization in an article for VCA, the animal hospital chain.
Socialization involves "the exposure of puppies to an assortment of stimuli and experiences they might encounter in their adult lives," the veterinary experts wrote.
"This exposure is like a vaccination for physical disease—by providing safe, controlled social exposures to unfamiliar people and situations, we inoculate them from developing fearful behavior," the article explains. These experiences help puppies "learn social skills during carefully controlled, safe interactions with people, dogs, and other animals. They also learn how to explore their world."
According to the VCA experts, puppies are most receptive to social learning between the ages of three and 14 weeks. However, they caution that this period must be handled with care. "Exposures must be done carefully, so the puppy remains calm and interested in engaging and does not become frightened or overwhelmed," the article notes.
In the case of Chicken Nugget, the body language displayed in the video—drooping head, blank expression—might be interpreted as overstimulation, a common response for puppies in new environments. "For some puppies, every stimulus may seem overwhelming. If your puppy does not eat or play during a socialization session, he is telling you he is frightened," the VCA article warns.
The advice continues: "Take your puppy out of the situation and plan for a quieter session. Never force your puppy to 'face his fears' or thrust him into new situations when he seems panicked or fearful, as it may worsen the fear. Ask your veterinarian or behaviorist for some guidance."
'Social Battery on Zero'
The clip quickly struck a chord with viewers, many of whom empathized with the puppy's apparent post-socialization fatigue.
User Car-mel commented: "Social battery on zero .. we get it," while 00___jay___00 wrote: "Your pup and I have a lot in common after socializing."
Others observed that the experience may have been overwhelming.
"Poor guy was overstimulated," noted crys_lyn4, and user tomtom simply said: "Poor little introvert."
Some viewers mused on the unusual behavior for a breed known for its typically friendly nature.
"This is my first time seeing an introvert golden retriever," said user ashes, while Alice noted: "She doesn't know she's a golden retriever yet."
Bev noted: "Wait till he realizes he's a golden retriever."
A stock image of a golden retriever puppy appearing sad while sitting on a wooden deck.
A stock image of a golden retriever puppy appearing sad while sitting on a wooden deck.
Getty
Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via TikTok. This video has not been independently verified.
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