A canine duo have been making people on social media laugh at their hilarious tug of war antics.
A young golden retriever named Dolly was caught on video trying to play with her older brother, a beagle named Obi, by tugging on his bed and dragging him across the floor.
The pair of dogs have a huge age gap and despite their love for each other, they are like chalk and cheese when it comes to playing games.
Obi the beagle is 13 years old and prefers to relax these days, but Dolly, who is only one year old, likes to play in classic golden retriever style.
Their owner, Ellie Cocker, from Oxfordshire, says Dolly loves a good tug of war game, and purposely tries to entertain Obi but he won’t give in to it. The hilarious moment was caught on video.
The cheeky retriever grabs hold of the bed with Obi still on it, and slides him across the floor. She might be growling with excitement but Obi’s glum face says it all.
The old dog is used to Dolly’s puppy tricks and his face tells us he’s just about fed up with them. It’s the ‘oh boy, here we go again’ look he gives to his owner.
Obi was always a lone dog until Dolly joined the family, and by the look on his face he wishes it had stayed that way sometimes. Ellie says he’s a sociable dog but he likes his own space and privileges. Once Ellie began working from home during the pandemic, it made sense to expand the family and try a different breed.
Ellie, 45, said: “At first Obi was very wary of Dolly and we weren't sure if we had done the right thing. But after a few weeks and lots of gentle encouragement, he definitely learnt to share his space with Dolly – and Dolly soon came to know her place within the home.”
Dolly has since been trying to win over Obi through her entertainment.
"She feels great enjoyment from pulling him along on his bed – whether it’s to take him for a spin, urge him to play, or even steal his bed, nobody knows."
Ellie said: “She does it quite a lot but we’ve been too slow with the phones. She loves a tug game, but try as she might he just won’t engage with her in it. I’m sure those with dogs where there is a big age gap will especially relate.”
In some ways many of a golden retriever's characteristics are similar to that of a beagle – they are highly sociable, fun loving and adventurous by nature. And even though Dolly likes to play the annoying sister, she picks up on Obi’s energy and shows her maternal side towards him too.
Ellie said: “She has a maternal side and we often refer to her as his assistance dog.
"During Dolly’s early days and training, we taught her to ring a doorbell for the toilet, but in fact what now happens is that she rings the doorbell when Obi needs the toilet – sort of like his personal helper.
“She will drop whatever she’s doing to run to the door and ring it for him, which we find extremely funny.
"If Obi’s having a little scratchy moment or a roll around or stretching, she’s right up in his face checking he’s okay.”
Obi is really tolerant of Dolly which shows his love for the young pup, except for her zoomies which really annoy him. Ellie says this is just normal behaviour for them.
