Puppy Relentlessly Begs for Labrador Mix's Attention Despite Being Blatantly Ignored
When we brought our rescue Pug mix home, our senior Dachshund was less than thrilled about having a new baby brother. His obvious adoration of his older sister didn't sway her in the slightest, and she often gave him the cold shoulder when he followed her around. His playful personality was a little overwhelming for our dainty Doxie, but he eventually won her over with his irresistible charm.
Winston the Labrador mix seems to have the same stoic demeanor toward his puppy sibling, Ricotta, despite her nonstop attempts to get close.
@temptalia Please enjoy 30 seconds of Ricotta begging for Winston's attention and Winston giving her NOTHING!!
original sound - Christine
In the TikTok from @temptalia, Winston stood outside looking a little sleepy and, well, kind of done. Two puppies in the background played tug-of-war with a toy as Ricotta literally bounced around in front of him and even on him, trying to get his attention. Winston was clearly outnumbered by rambunctious little fur babies and tried to stay in zen mode.
But Ricotta would not be deterred. The precious puppy would fall over in her excitement and just pick herself back up to make another attempt to engage the reluctant older dog.
Ricotta seemed immune to rejection and didn't take Winston's aloof attitude personally. Maybe she saw it as a personal challenge to keep throwing herself at him until he gave in and acknowledged her efforts. Finally, Winston walked away in the hopes of getting a moment of peace.
Bonding Between Dogs and Puppies Takes Time
While dogs are natural pack animals, your older canine may need time to adjust to having a puppy sibling. This bonding process depends on your dog's personality. If your pooch starts off neglecting the new puppy, it could take up to 5 weeks for a relationship to form. Dogs that are automatically friendly and welcoming acclimate more quickly and usually befriend the new pup within a week.
Related: Golden Retriever's Tender Way of Helping Her Puppy Sister Has Us Melting
Start by having your two canines spend supervised time together. Don't force the relationship - let them sniff around each other and find their own way to interact. Just being in the same room will familiarize them with each other's scent and presence.
Separate the two if there are any signs of aggression or if playing gets too rough. Praise positive interactions and reward with treats. When both pooches seem ready, take them on walks together to reinforce the bonding process. With patience and time, your fur babies could become besties.
Winston didn't look angry or overly bothered by Ricotta's nonstop attention - he probably just needed some "me" time.
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This story was originally published May 9, 2026 at 11:10 AM.