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A golden retriever lowers its nose to a line of small ducklings on a backyard lawn. 10 / 33

A Golden Retriever Lowered Her Nose to Say Hello to Strangers

AI imagegolden retrieverducklingsfirst meeting

The introduction is going slowly, and that is exactly right. A golden retriever has lowered her big gentle head to lawn level, her nose just a few inches from a row of ducklings who have stopped mid-waddle to look back. Behind them a wooden fence runs along the yard, and the grass is dotted with early evening light. Nobody has made a sudden move. Everyone is simply taking the measure of a brand-new friend. The ducklings are lined up in a perfect row, as though they rehearsed this greeting, with the smallest one bravely at the very front.

Golden Retrievers were developed to retrieve birds gently, carrying game in their mouths without damage, and that soft mouth is part of why many of them are patient with small animals. Even so, first meetings between a dog and any small pet should be handled with care. Keep the dog on a leash, let her sniff from a short distance, reward calm behavior and end the session before anyone gets too excited.

Never leave a dog and young birds alone together, however friendly the dog may be. Accidents happen quickly, and a happy wag can be stronger than it looks.

If all goes well, this will be the first of many quiet afternoons. For now, the best thing in the whole backyard is a steady golden nose and a small, curious chirp.

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