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By Lucy Notarantonio

Senior Reporter

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A smiling dog named Donut has won over Reddit after surprising his owner with an unexpected act of bravery.

The fluffy pup—believed to be a Keeshond, according to commenters—was featured in a slideshow shared to subreddit WhatsWrongWithYourDog, looking every bit the innocent, butter-wouldn’t-melt type. But behind that sweet face is a dog with some very quirky fears

The post has since been deleted. The caption explained Donut is “scared of bowls and leaves that blow gently in the wind.” Despite this gentle nature, he recently showed a completely different side of himself.

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Reddit user Schlubop, Donut’s owner, wrote: “He just chased off a bear that was near our trash can (I did not know there was a bear there). I don’t understand.”

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The owner has since shared another post, they said: "Well this morning the post was removed for not being related to dogs. I had to inform Donut that he in fact, was not a dog. He handled it well. He licked himself and went to lay in the snow to ponder what kind of animal he truly is."

One user joked on the original post: “Well a bear is just a bear, but he’s right to fear leaves. Some of them could be toxic for him!”

Another wrote: “Food bowls are scary, because you only take one bite of food and it’s just poof gone. Like that’s something paranormal. The leaves could be poisonous, so he’s trying to stay safe, so he can protect you. And obviously Donut wasn’t scared of the bear because he’s huger, stronger, and cuter than it. He’s da king with reasonable fears.”

A third pointed out: “Courage isn’t being fearless, it’s doing things we are afraid of anyway.”

How to Keep Your Dog Safe From Bears

While Donut’s bold moment made for a funny Reddit thread, bear encounters can be dangerous for both pets and their owners.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) states black bears—whose fur can range from black to brown, reddish, or even blond—now live in at least 40 U.S. states, meaning encounters are becoming more common.

BearWise reports that dogs were involved in more than half of human-bear confrontations during a recent five‑year period. Nearly half of those pets were injured or killed, and 62 percent of owners were hurt while trying to protect them.

Here are AKC’s top safety tips:

• Keep your dog on a leash: Use a sturdy, non‑retractable leash. Off‑leash dogs may run toward or chase a bear, only to sprint back to you with an angry bear following. Trying to save your dog in that moment is extremely dangerous.

• Never approach a bear: If you spot a bear—whether on a trail, near your campsite, or even in your neighborhood—do not approach it, even if your dog is barking or scared.

• Carry safety tools: A whistle and bear spray can help deter a bear if you’re confronted unexpectedly.

• Make noise on trails To avoid surprising a bear:

  • Talk or make noise in areas with thick brush or poor visibility
  • Stay aware of snapping branches or rustling sounds
  • Avoid hiking at dawn, dusk, or after dark
  • Skip earbuds so you can hear wildlife

• Store food safely when camping: Keep all food, bowls, and dog dishes outside your tent and stored in a bear‑proof container. Bears are attracted to scents—even pet food.

Newsweek reached out to u/Schlubop for comment. We could not verify the details of the case.

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