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By Lucy Notarantonio
Senior Reporter
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Home security footage has captured the hilarious moment a Labrador retriever tries to teach a newly adopted shelter dog how to use a pet door.
The TikTok video, shared by owner Mare Ewing (@mare_ewing), shows the Labrador slipping effortlessly through the dog‑sized flap before popping his head back inside to check on his new companion. Text layered over the clip reads: “are you coming bro?”
But there’s one small problem: the rescue dog has no idea how to hop through the door. Instead of heading outside to play, the Labrador waits, nudging his head back through the opening again and again, clearly refusing to leave his friend behind. When the shelter dog still can’t figure it out, the Labrador eventually comes back inside to stay with him.
Read More on Pets
Ewing noted in the comments that the clip, which has over half a million views, is “so sad but funny.”
Presumably, the sadness comes from how unfamiliar many shelter dogs are with everyday experiences. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), 60 percent of animals entered shelters as strays in 2024. This means many of these canines have never lived in a home environment, making simple tasks feel foreign.
Many Adopters Don’t Realize How Much Adjustment Shelter Dogs Need
The moment also highlights a broader challenge in dog adoption. Researchers recently found that new owners often underestimate just how much time, patience, and consistency it takes for a rescued dog to adjust.
In a study following adopters for up to four years, many said they hadn’t expected how long it would take to build trust with their dog.
Understanding what makes the dog comfortable, keeping everyone safe, and learning the animal’s limits were all seen as essential steps. The researchers suggested that sharing real adoption stories could better prepare people before and after bringing a dog home.
Previous studies estimate that 7–20 percent of shelter dogs are returned, often within the first month. The reasons were due to the size of the dog or its behaviors.
Overall, the researchers found three common themes: adoption takes time and patience, building trust and boundaries is essential, and every human–dog relationship is unique. These insights could help strengthen support programs for new adopters and reduce return rates.
TikTok Reacts
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The security footage has struck a chord online, earning over 72,000 likes and nearly 200 comments.
Ewing told one user: “My current dog is so confused why the shelter dog won’t follow him.”
Another viewer laughed at "the way he comes back in to grab him to try and take him out.”
Others offered reassurance, with one writing: "He will learn eventually. He will keep watching your [Labrador]”
While the shelter dog may not yet understand the mechanics of a pet door, one thing is clear: he already has a loyal friend determined to guide him—one slow, patient lesson at a time.
Newsweek reached out to @mare_ewing for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.
Reference
Thumpkin, Eileen, et al. “Coming Home, Staying Home: Adopters’ Stories about Transitioning Their New Dog into Their Home and Family.” Animals : An Open Access Journal from MDPI, vol. 14, no. 5, Feb. 2024, p. 723. PubMed Central, https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14050723.
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