Most siblings argue and bicker from time to time. It’s like it’s in their DNA. Teasing, taunting, and even wrestling are often a part of the sibling relationship. Brothers and sisters learn their first social skills from each other, and the same applies to our fur babies.
Pearl the Golden Retriever is a perfect example, where she had to teach her puppy sister Poppi a lesson on boundaries.
In the TikTok from @pearlgoldengirl, Pearl was lying on the floor just minding her own business, hoping to get in some relaxation time. Poppi saw the situation differently and wanted to play, so she grabbed her big sister’s tail and pulled. And pulled. And pulled.
“Pearl, are you alright?” her mom asked, witnessing the interaction.
The older sibling was quite patient and waited for her little sister to get the hint that she wasn’t up for the game. However, Poppi was oblivious to Pearl’s social cues and continued to treat her tail like a tug-of-war rope.
Finally, Pearl had to put an end to the behavior and bolted up. “Okay, she said enough,” their mom called out. The eldest Golden scolded Poppi with some low growls and snarls, adding in a few nips to put her in her place. The playful puppy finally got the message and backed off.
Pearl’s mom praised her for reprimanding her little sister in a firm but gentle manner.
Puppies Learn From Older Dogs
At first glance, viewers may have wondered why the siblings’ mom didn’t break up the altercation sooner. She saw the situation as a teachable moment.
“Do you know how powerful it is for the adult dog to appropriately correct a puppy?” the caption read. “Here’s why I didn’t step in at this moment. Adult dogs communicate boundaries in ways puppies need to learn. A brief growl or posture change isn’t aggression, it’s information. This is how puppies learn manners, respect space, and develop social skills they’ll use for life.”
Related: Golden Retriever Puppy Refusing to Sleep in Crate Brings the Cutest Toddler Energy
Their mom also considered the incident a win for Pearl, who’s learning how to be assertive in a positive way.
“It also teaches Pearl to stand up for herself and not allow bad behaviors,” the story continued. “The correction is calm, short, and stops the behavior, exactly how puppies learn boundaries and confidence.”
Poppi will probably think twice before trying that game again.
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This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Feb 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.