A German shepherd is earning praise online for its no-nonsense parenting style in a viral TikTok clip that shows the dog stepping in when a foster pup’s antics go a little too far.
The video, shared by TikTok user @babooneka, has amassed 2.1 million views since it was posted on June 7, gaining widespread attention from viewers charmed by the older dog’s approach.
Text overlaid on the clip reads: “I’m fostering this dog but my German shepherd said he doesn’t do gentle parenting.”
In the video, a foster dog is seen using its paw to splash water from a bowl onto a wooden deck in an outdoor area. Moments later, the German shepherd strides over, apparently determined to restore order.
The German shepherd uses its paw to push the other pup away from the water bowl, then grabs the foster dog by the skin of its neck a few times. Toward the end of the clip, the German shepherd manages to drag the other dog off the deck and onto a grassy patch.
A caption on the post reads: “My German shepherd is THE real foster mom around here.”
The playful yet assertive interaction between the two dogs fits with what scientists understand about canine social behavior.
A March 2019 study published in Scientific Reports noted that “dogs can form relationships of comparable qualities with both humans and other dogs,” and that these relationships vary across multiple components depending on the partner.
Stanley Coren, a professor emeritus in the department of psychology at the University of British Columbia and author of several books about dogs, says that dogs thrive on positive social interactions, regardless of species. In a February 2013 article for Psychology Today, Coren explained: “Although dogs are happiest when they are in a social situation, the species that they are interacting with is less important than the quality of the interactions.”
He added: “Dogs that have been properly socialized will congenially approach virtually anything that is alive, regardless of its species, and, unless they receive hostile signals, they will attempt to establish a good-natured relationship.”
Viewers on TikTok flooded the comments section with amused reactions.
User Jennifer Dawn Allen wrote: “He said you wanna act like a baby I’m gonna carry you like one.” The original poster responded: “He is so strict.”
Another user, Elizabeth Shekhets, asked: “Is he available to babysit human kids too? I have two and I’m tired.”
Some commenters noted the German shepherd’s initial patience. User roberta freyta said: “To be fair… he did TRY being gentle but that kid didn’t listen.” The original poster replied: “He tried but got fed up.”
User agent cool mane joked “He’s wondering when did we stop parenting around here,” to which the original poster replied: “He called me out.”
Rala added: “I love when older dogs show younger dogs manners like they themselves were not absolutely chaotic as a puppy haha.”
Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via TikTok. This video has not been independently verified.
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