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A popular video online has shown how puppies seemingly get emotional when they first leave their moms, and people's hearts are breaking over it.
The video shared by TikTok user @ssiiggyyy six days ago showed her golden retriever puppy tucked away in her arms with its eyes closed.
"My new puppy hasn't stopped crying since she had to leave her mom," she wrote, alongside a sad emoji.
Katie Sigmond can be seen lying down caressing her puppy as she says: "This is actually so heart breaking. No one told me about this part when you get a puppy," she captioned the video.
The video has gained over 2 million likes in just six days, but how true is it?
@ssiiggyyy this is actually so heartbreaking. no one told me abt this part when u get a puppy
♬ Originalton - a
The American Kennel Club said that it's natural for a dog to behave differently when it's first separated from its mother, as they've spent all of its early life together. It's recommended by experts that around eight weeks is the earliest to split up a mother and puppy.
"During the next three-to-eight weeks, he learns social skills from his mother and his littermates. He learns where he fits in the pack and starts to navigate the world around him. He sleeps snuggled up with his siblings and mother and, as a pack animal, he's hardwired to remain close to them. It makes sense from an evolutionary standpoint—his very survival in the 'wild' depends on staying close to the pack. So, when you bring your much-anticipated puppy home, he's leaving the only family he's ever known," wrote the American Kennel Club.
Puppies are expected to show signs of separation behavior during their first few days at home, often crying when left alone and wanting to be held a lot, but it's hard for experts to know for sure the exact reason—whether it's missing the mom, the new environment, new smells and noises, or a blend of them all.
How to Cope With a Distressed Puppy
Regardless of why they're affected, various organizations provide advice on how new owners should deal with a distressed puppy.
Cleveland veterinarian Dr. Carolyn Lincoln, told PetMD that reassuring your puppy by keeping them near you at all times is the best way to help. Crates placed around the house are a good way to encourage this and keep them near, said Lincoln. "In most cases, he just needs to feel your presence and be part of the action," she said.
Newsweek also recently reported on some remarkable behavior by a mother dog who adopted a whole litter of puppies.
The dog, called Pepper, had recently lost her own litter after none of the puppies survived delivery. She took on the new role after a litter of motherless puppies was taken to visit her.
Their owner, Lexi Johnson, said that upon entering the room containing the puppies, Pepper immediately sat down next to them. Johnson then started by placing the puppies with Pepper, and she laid down on her side. The rest of the litter made their way over to her and began nursing.
Update 8/17/21 at x ET: This story was updated
