Owner captures moving moment her rescue dog finally starts to trust her

In a heartwarming TikTok video, a rescue dog finally bonds with his new mom two months after adoption, and internet users can’t cope with the footage. 

The clip, shared in December under the username @rockystelly, shows the young Labrador retriever awkwardly walking up to his owner, who is holding a piece of chicken in her hands, then walking away without grabbing it because he’s too shy. 

After some back and forth, and even briefly hiding in the kitchen, the puppy finally managed to snatch the chicken in the end, and even wagged his tail as his mom called him a good boy. 

“Watch my rescue dog of two months work up the courage to eat a piece of chicken from my hand,” the caption says. 

Settling into a new home can be overwhelming at first for rescues, but that’s nothing that can’t be overcome with some patience and support. 

Preparing your home before arrival helps them feel safe. Ensure you have essentials such as a bed, blanket, toys, feeding enrichment, food and water bowls, collar, lead and tags, and dog-proof the house, checking for hazards.  

Create zones for sleeping peacefully, eating and resting, including a quiet den area away from busy spaces, to help them adapt to their new home quickly. It’s also useful to know their routine and preferences and find out about their diet, health and any training needs. 

In the first few days, let your dog adjust at their own pace, avoid visitors, and don’t force interactions. Let them use their den undisturbed, use food enrichment to encourage exploration, keep walks short and familiar, slowly introduce other pets, and establish a consistent routine.  

Be patient and observe signs of anxiety. Keeping a settling-in diary can help you understand behaviours. If challenges arise, contact your veterinarian or a specialized dog behaviorist.