An American bully’s hilarious and heartwarming reaction to a new 2-pound puppy has taken the internet by storm.
In a TikTok video, the bully’s owner shared a clip that challenges the breed’s aggressive reputation—by showing her dog terrified of her new puppy. The video’s caption reads, “POV [point of view]: my 80-pound American bully thinks a two-pound puppy is going to eat him … ‘American bullies are so scary,’ meanwhile, Rocky is terrified of puppies.” Since the video was posted, it has received over 951,000 views.
The clip shows the massive American bully hesitantly backing away from a tiny, energetic puppy.
More Like ‘American Bullied’
The clip has sparked a wave of praise for the American bully breed, with many people sharing similar experiences.
One user posted, “it’s not American Bully anymore, it’s ‘American bullied’ now.”
“I love all of this,” another person wrote. “I really wish people knew and understood what American Bullies were really like.”
Some commenters had more-humorous interpretations of the scene. One person compared the size difference and Rocky’s fear to an experience humans can relate to.
“This is like spiders to us,” one wrote. Another person had a different theory on Rocky’s behavior. “He is playing. He wants to be chased. That’s why when he runs, he’s wagging his tail and looking back to see if he is chasing him,” they wrote.
The Importance of Proper Introductions
An article from The Spruce Pets said that the owner’s careful introduction of the two dogs is a key part of pet adoption.
The article added that proper introductions ensure that “both pets start off on a positive foot.” This is especially important when there is a significant size difference between the dogs, as “even friendly large dogs could accidentally injure a small dog with over-exuberant greetings.”
The Spruce Pets article provided tips for dog owners to follow to ensure a smooth introduction. These include meeting on neutral ground—such as a neighbor’s yard or a quiet space. The article also recommended using a barrier or fence to allow the canines to sniff each other safely without direct contact. This is particularly important if one of the dogs is known to be aggressive or fearful.
Other tips for a successful introduction include parallel walking, where each dog is handled by a different person, and allowing them to sniff each other’s bodies and rear ends in a quiet, open space. If the pups want to play together, this is a good sign.
The article said that it is important to proceed slowly and “avoid common mistakes like face-to-face meetings too soon.” The best approach is to ensure each interaction is calm and positive, allowing the dogs to become familiar with each other’s scents and personalities gradually.
Newsweek reached out to @morenitadani03 for comment via TikTok.