Cocker Spaniel’s Comical Response to Doodle’s New Look Has Everyone in Stitches
Have you ever been surprised by a loved one's dramatic change in hairstyle? If so, you can relate to the bewilderment this Cocker Spaniel felt. Her brother’s new haircut was quite a shock, particularly for a young pup not used to such transformations.
This darling Doodle’s new look was so drastic that she was unwilling to trust the handsome stranger. See how adorably she reacted to his bold new style in this video shared on November 18:
I’ve had haircuts that have also left me bewildered. When precious Indie (@our.tails.of.adventure) was just a puppy, she was feeling rather puzzled when she encountered her Doodle brother, Arlo, post-haircut. Being new to the world, this beautiful Cocker Spaniel had never seen him with a fresh trim, and this unfamiliar version of her brother threw her off. Her small, sorrowful whines conveyed her confusion, and after a cautious inspection, she decided it was safer to retreat to the corner. LOL! It’s fair to assume it must be confusing for dogs to see a familiar face altered in such a way, especially since he likely smelled different from his bath, too. Hopefully, Arlo didn’t misinterpret her hesitation as a critique of his new look, as he certainly appeared quite dashing.
Why Do Dogs Get Upset When We Change Our Style?
Dogs are creatures of habit and don’t always enjoy change. They rely on their sense of smell for identification, and grooming can introduce unfamiliar scents from shampoos or conditioners, initially making their old friend seem unfamiliar. A drastic change in appearance, such as a short haircut on a long-haired dog, can add to their confusion. The grooming process might cause a dog to behave or feel differently, which other pups may notice, leading to altered social dynamics. While the surprise of seeing a familiar companion looking different can create a brief period of confusion or even fear, they quickly re-familiarize themselves with smells and interactions.
People understood where this puppy was coming from. Viewer @kelsodre remarked, “OMG, it’s like when dads shave off their beards, and kids cry because they don’t recognize them!” It is! Viewer @shogunotcho shared, “Aww, poor sweet baby. My dog was weirded out when I went from long to very short hair.” They aren’t always fans of our new style. Viewer @bugsy_dory responded, “My cat did that when my dog got her first haircut. She was unsure and arched her back, and her fur was sticking up on the back of her neck.” They know when something is off.
Fortunately, dogs are resilient and can learn to embrace changes. Depending on the style, they might become more comfortable with a new look even faster than we can.
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