Golden Retriever Making Friends With Neighbor's Senior Dog Brings All The Feels

Golden retrievers are known for their sociable, gentle personalities with humans and other dogs. Whether you see one walking down a sidewalk with its owner or running around a dog park, chances are, you'll see a happy face and an expressive wagging tail. One golden in particular wanted to show off its friendliness to its senior canine neighbor on the other side of a chain-link fence. TikToker @jasper_thedog captured the precious moment and shared the clip in September of 2025.

@jasper_thedog

When this new neighbor moves in with their elderly dog and this pup starts removing vines so they can hang out.

♬ original sound – Jasper The Rescue Dog – Jasper The Rescue Dog

The two dogs are seen sniffing each other through the fence as both of their tails wag with curiosity and approval, but there's a problem. The golden isn't happy about the vine growth on the fence obstructing its view, so it begins tearing them down, one vine at a time. More than 4,000 viewers liked the dogs' cordial exchange, and many shared positive feedback. "My heart cannot take it. Dogs are the sweetest and best part of life," one said. "Oh my goodness. I'd be out there making a doggie door through the fence," another viewer commented.

Although it wasn't the case for the pups above, some dogs don't exactly make a calm first impression when meeting through a fence. Instead, they launch into incessant barking mode, caused by barrier reactivity. It happens when a dog feels overstimulated or frustrated by something it can't completely see or physically access. So how do you set the stage for a smoother canine introduction through an open fence?

Some owners discover their new neighbor's dog only after they hear a heated barking match in their yard. To prevent a surprise meeting like this, try arranging an introduction with your neighbor and their dog in a neutral setting, away from your yards. Both dogs should be leashed and kept at a safe distance from each other. Speak calmly and bring treats to reward any positive behavior. Gauge your dog's body language to determine the next step.

If neither dog shows aggression, there's a good chance they'll be fine while in their yards at the same time, even unsupervised. They might even become friends. On the other hand, if the dogs have a rocky start, it doesn't necessarily mean they'll never get along. Many dogs eventually warm up to their canine neighbors. If you see no progress after a few weeks, see if your neighbor will agree to more neutral space meetups, and gently redirect any unwanted behavior in your dog. If all else fails, it might be best to block visual access altogether.

To read more stories like these, check out these neighbor dogs' adorable romance or this puppy patiently waiting to show off his new toy to the neighbors.