Four Dogs' Reaction to 'Unexpected Addition' Puppy Melts Hearts

A social media video of a group of adult dogs welcoming their new puppy sibling has warmed hearts across the internet.

The viral video, which has been viewed more than 4.7 million times since it was first shared to Instagram on December 15, shows the adult dogs playing with and showing affection to the new pup.

The video's creator, who goes by @charlie_the_golden18 on Instagram, showed the older dogs going above and beyond for their new sibling. Their gestures of canine kindness ranged from sharing toys and beds to allowing hugs, all of which their owner captured on camera.

"My fur children are Buddy, Charlie, Daisy, Herbie, and Oliver. We live in Ohio. Buddy is 10, Charlie is 6, Daisy is 4, Herb is 3, and Oliver is 1," the pets' owner, Alicia, told Newsweek.

"Buddy is sweet and laid back, Charlie is a self-proclaimed naughty boy for life, Daisy is sweet but also very sassy, Herb is as lazy as a throw rug, and Oliver is a typical teenager who's full of energy and constantly testing the boundaries."

"I put this particular video together of clips from 2023. That year was a big adjustment for the dogs because of the addition of Oliver joining our family. They all accepted him pretty much immediately, and were so patient with him and all of his crazy shenanigans," she added.

The post is captioned: "Why my dogs deserve to be on the nice list. This year, our lives were completely flipped upside down by the unexpected addition of Oliver. But the dogs handled it like champs and were so loving and accepting of him. They all are genuinely amazing."

The dogs and their owner are based in Ohio and have amassed over 900,000 followers across TikTok and Instagram.

What Do the Comments Say?

Since it was shared to the social media platform by @charlie_the_golden18 on December 15, the Instagram post has been liked by over 350,000 users and commented on more than 500 times.

"Cute to the max," one user wrote.

Another user said: "I wish all dogs could have this wonderful life. What great pet parents you are."

"Aren't they the sweetest," a different user shared.

Just How Should a New Puppy Be Introduced to Your Dog?

The U.K. animal-welfare charity Battersea Dogs & Cats Home says that advance planning is always needed before a new dog is introduced to a household that already has one or more canines.

This is even more prevalent in cases like the one explored in the Instagram post where the incoming pup is very small, young and energetic. The charity advises owners to take the dogs out for a walk before they get acquainted indoors, to avoid scraps over territory.

"When you first get home with your new dog, don't go indoors straight away. Instead, take both of your dogs for a walk together in an area with lots of open space where they can take their time to explore and get to know one another in their own time on more neutral ground," Battersea Dogs & Cats Home says on its website.

"You may have to arrange for a friend or family member to help you by walking one of the dogs, so you can give them as much space as they need to be able to relax," it says. "It's natural to be excited, but try to be as casual as possible and allow them to interact in their own time.

"Don't force them towards each other and don't pick up either dog or try to push them to say hello as this could create tension between them."

During the walk, owners should praise any positive behaviors that the dogs exhibit.

At home, the charity says to "make sure any food and toys are out of reach and there are multiple water bowls and beds spread throughout the home to prevent any possible friction between the dogs."

Update 02/05/24, 08:34 a.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from the pets' owner.

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