Every stage of puppyhood comes with its own milestones, from clumsy steps to playful discoveries. That said, one of the most telling is when a dog finds their voice. For Wade, a young Golden Retriever, that moment arrived on his family’s couch, where his very first bark left him looking wide-eyed and completely bewildered.
Golden Retriever puppy doesn’t know what to do after his first bark in TikTok video
Wade was filmed lounging comfortably on the couch with his human family when he suddenly let out his first bark. What makes the video so endearing isn’t just the sound itself, but Wade’s reaction afterwards. His ears perk up, his eyes widen, and his expression seems to read, “Wait, did I just do that?” The sheer confusion and amazement on his face left viewers laughing and melting at the same time. His owner captioned the video, jokingly saying, “Even Wade couldn’t believe his first bark.”
Golden Retriever puppies usually start vocalizing around three to four weeks of age. At first, their sounds are soft and sporadic as they experiment with their vocal cords. These early barks are mostly a way to communicate, signaling curiosity, excitement, or a desire to interact with littermates and humans. As the puppies grow, their barks become more deliberate and controlled. Experts also point out that this early experimentation with sound plays an important role in social and mental development. It helps puppies to learn how to express themselves and engage with their environment.
A puppy’s tendency to bark can be influenced by breed, personality, and how they are socialized early on. As such, Golden Retrievers are typically classified as moderately vocal dogs. This means they will bark when something catches their attention, but they aren’t known for constant noise. Having said that, puppies guided with positive reinforcement for calm and attentive behavior usually develop more controlled and balanced vocal habits as they grow.
