German Shepherd Tries To Start Something and Gets Shut Down Fast
When you bring a new puppy into the picture, they're usually the one who brings the chaos and mayhem and unwanted play bites and slaps. It's usually the older dog who bears the brunt of this.
In this case, not so much. Freya is the older pup and Thor is the new addition. Freya spots Thor minding his own business and absolutely cannot abide by that. She decides to see what he's got.
A few playful bites and some "hey, let's party" rolling, aaannnnddd... Thor couldn't possibly be more unimpressed. He gives her zero to work with, and I can almost feel her frustration through my screen. Take a look.
@freyaapproved she's trying SO hard and he's just like "nah" #gsdpuppy#germanshepherd#dogsoftiktok#puppylife#dogbehavior
original sound - Freya The GSD | Approved
Poor Freya really thought she was going to win him over here. The slaps, the rolls, the commitment. And Thor's one-second in and already bored with the whole thing.
Why Some Puppies Need Time Before They're Ready to Play
It's so easy to assume that if your dog likes others dogs, they'll just magically click with the new puppy from the get-go. Behaviorists say it's not that simple-especially in those first few critical days.
"Even though you may have a dog who gets along really well with puppies, it doesn't mean they will get along with a puppy in their own home. It's very different to have a puppy visiting you vs. one that is there 24/7," explains behaviorist Dr. Valli Parthasarathy.
That adjustment period is when the new puppy is figuring it all out. A new environment, new smells and sounds, new routines, and an older, settled, confident dog can all make a puppy slow down and assess everything before jumping into play. It seems like disinterest, but it's more Thor watching and learning so he can decide when and how the best way to engage is.
Related: Negotiations Turn Tense When a German Shepherd Steals Mom's Prized Possession
And that seems to be Thor in this video. He's not worried or scared. While Freya is ready to jump right in, he's just taking a more cautious approach and learning how she operates.
In a few days, things will probably be completely different. He'll be the one chasing her down, and she'll be the one begging for a time-out.
SIGN UP to get "pawsitivity" delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published April 18, 2026 at 9:05 AM.