In a viral TikTok video posted by @hdbrosriley, a page dedicated to Riley the dog, he can be seen with his head perched on his owner’s shoulder while she cradles her baby.
It looks like Riley has realized his owner’s attention is no longer solely focused on him and his face says it all.
Over one million people have watched the video, which received more than 111,000 likes at the time of writing.
Research shows that domesticated canines have evolved and made anatomical adaptations to communicate with humans.
An example of these changes is raising the eyebrow, conferred by facial muscles only present in the dog, compared to wolves. These characteristics bestow a childish look or paedomorphic traits on this species.
Dogs are social beings and thrive off interaction, therefore it is possible that they get jealous when a situation changes.
Preparation Is Key
Wag Walking, an American pet care company, has shared some tips on how to prepare your dog ahead of a baby’s arrival:
Approach a dog trainer ahead of birth if you are aware of any jealous traits or habits, such as growlingIf you are going to rearrange your furniture, do this before the baby is born to give your dog time to adjustWhen the baby arrives, it is best to introduce an item that belongs to the baby to your dog first, such as a blanketMake sure baby stuff doesn’t take up your dog’s favorite spot to play or sleep in the house otherwise your furry friend may feel left outRemain calm when introducing your baby as dogs can mirror your emotionsNever leave your dog unattended with your baby
Hundreds of TikTokers have commented on the video, many of which have posted laughing emojis. Other expecting parents have said their dog is likely to mimic Riley’s facial expression when their bundle of joy arrives.
One user said: “He’s just like a human big brother. Soon he’ll notice that he got a fun new toy that sometimes stinks and cries so loud, but is his best friend forever.
Another joked: “He’s gonna pack his bags he doesn’t deserve to be replaced like this.”
“He’ll adjust that’s how goldens are,” reassured another.
Newsweek reached out to @hdbrosriley for comment. Newsweek could not verify the details of the case.
