Making new friends can be hard and some dogs are naturally more hesitant than others. For one "Golden Mountain" dog named Millie, sometimes it takes meeting the right friend to open up and be yourself.
A June 19, 2024 TikTok video posted by Manhattan Millie ( @mmillicent333 ) shows the moment the very good girl bonds with her little visitor. Check out the sweet video below!
"Welcome to the fam Scottie girl!" the caption says. The 26-second clip opens with the words, "My mom's 10-week-old Golden Retriever puppy met my 1.5 year-old Golden Mountain dog (Bernese Mountain dog x Golden Retriever mix) for the first time." The puppy's name is Scotland—aka "Scottie"— and Millie is typically afraid of puppies, preferring to "keep her distance." This time things are different as the two play happily together.
The clip concludes with, "But this time she instantly fell in love with her new best friend," as the two continue frolicking.
"The start of a lifelong friendship!" one person wrote. "What a beautiful mix!" another said. "So your dog inherited the Berner jumpy pounce greeting I see," another joked.
Related: Bernese Mountain Dog Has a Spa Day and the Look on Her Face Says It All
How to Safely Introduce Two Dogs
Not all dogs will become instant best friends , but there are a few things you can do to ease things along. The Animal Humane Society suggests starting with a walk outdoors in a spacious area, one dog per person, with the use of a 4-6 foot nylon or leather leash, and high-value treats.
"Start on neutral territory on opposite sides, walking the same direction," the org says. "When one dog looks at the other one, they get a treat. Keep walking until they are no longer focused on each other."
You''ll repeat this process, moving closer with each successful reward. Then, slowly decrease the distance until the two humans are walking next to each other. The dogs may be allowed to sniff and circle each other at this point but if they show signs of agitation or aggression, lead them away and try again later. With a few more tries, you can move to a fenced backyard to let them loose (though keep them leashed so you can pull them away if things go awry).
The same training can happen at home, too. Ideally, both dogs are leashed and they should meet outdoors before going inside the home. Once inside, remove toys, food, and anything that might cause territorial aggression and supervise the dogs until their interactions begin to settle. The org also notes some posturing and mild aggression are normal.
New dog friendships may take time, depending on your dog's personality. Millie is the perfect example of why finding the right open-minded friend matters!
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