At first, this just looks like a very large Golden Retriever standing across from a very small dog, trying to process his life choices. Jake is doing that stiff, polite dog thing where you can tell he is not sure what’s happening, but he knows something is happening. Jake is making this entire situation very awkward.
Then, the tiny merle Dachshund puppy moves. And Jake’s entire vibe changes in a way no one was ready for.
The video shared on the TikTok account @jen.herdren shows Jake, a full-sized Golden Retriever, meeting a Dachshund puppy who looks like he could fit in a teacup. The size difference alone is enough to make people stop scrolling, but it’s Jake’s reaction that seals it. Instead of calmly sniffing and moving on like a normal dog, Jake appears genuinely unsure about this new situation. He backs up, freezes, and stares at the puppy like the little dog just announced he pays taxes and has opinions. The Dachshund puppy, meanwhile, seems completely unbothered by the fact that he’s facing a dog approximately 10 times his size. He even has the audacity to let out a tiny little bark!
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And then, as if his brain finally short-circuits, Jake does what many dogs do when they do not know how to process their feelings. He starts doing zoomies.
Suddenly, the scared Golden Retriever turns into a blur of legs, fur, and panic joy, racing around like he needs to shake the experience out of his body. It is the kind of reaction that makes it very clear he was not prepared for this puppy at all, and people watching could not stop laughing. One person said, “OMG, the zoomies.” Someone else added, “That’s so sweet. New friends are scary for me, too, baby.”
How To Introduce a Dog to a New Puppy
Introducing a new puppy to an adult dog can go a lot of different ways, and Jake’s reaction is a good reminder that even friendly dogs can be surprised by tiny newcomers.
Experts usually recommend keeping first meetings calm and supervised, giving both pups space, and letting them interact at their own pace. Some dogs will be curious right away, while others might need time to adjust, especially when the size difference is extreme.
In many cases, playful behavior like zoomies can be a sign that a dog is overwhelmed but not upset. It is their way of releasing nervous energy and figuring out how they feel about the situation.
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This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Jan 10, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.