A German shepherd’s unusual way of asking his new owners for pets has gone viral on social media—and the heartbreaking reason behind his behavior has left users in tears.
In a viral Instagram post shared earlier in December under the username @alfieandcompany, the pup can be seen awkwardly reaching out to his owner with his paws, tilting his head sideways to avoid eye contact as if it were a bad thing.
“This is Alfie, he is awkward when he asks for pets because he came from a very unloving home previously. This is his favorite way to be pet currently. This is what he asks for. He’s learning how to be loved, one day at a time,” reads layover text in the clip.
In the caption, the poster explains that Alfie was previously abused and left to starve in the summer heat at his previous home, and while he was always a friendly dog, he was “super intimidated” by everything, and rightfully so.
“He makes this face whenever he comes up asking to be pet, and then just melts into your hands. We work really hard to respect his boundaries only giving him pets when he comes up to us asking for them. Every day he gets more confident!”
For a rescue dog coming from a situation of abuse, settling into a new home can be overwhelming at first, but with time, patience, and a calm environment, they will adjust before you even know it.
Preparing the space with essentials, dog‑proofing, and creating a quiet den helps them feel safe. During the first few days, allow the dog to settle at their own pace, avoid overwhelming them with attention, and let them initiate interactions. Keep the home quiet, limit visitors, and use food enrichment to build confidence.
Initially, walks should be short and consistent while they learn their new surroundings. If you have any other pets in the house, introduce them gradually and establish a predictable routine.
Be patient with behaviours such as hiding, anxiety, or possible gaps in training, and keep a diary to track progress, these are just normal behaviors and they will eventually phase them out. If these behaviors don’t go away, you can ask your vet or a qualified dog behaviorist for support.
For nighttime, provide a comfortable bed in a quiet area, consider sleeping nearby if they are anxious, and allow them freedom to explore so they feel secure.
The video quickly went viral on social media, and it has so far received over 624,000 views and 59,900 likes on the platform.
One user, _grace.co.uk_, commented: “There’s a special place in hell for people that treat these angels badly.”
Ausernameforchristy wrote: “I don’t understand how people can be cruel to animals, they’re the purest souls in existence.”
L3xi_p00 added: “The most gentle shepherd I’ve ever seen.”
Newsweek reached out to @alfieandcompany for comment via Instagram. We could not verify the details of the case.
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