Rescue Dog ‘Too Scared’ To Come out of Kennel, Then Owners Turn On Pet Cam

A touching TikTok video has gone viral, capturing the tender but heartbreaking behavior of a rescue dog still learning to trust in his new home.

Shared by the account @wildalaskandogatlas, the clip has amassed over 632,000 views and 47,400 likes, at the time of writing.

The video shows a timid Alaskan breed inside his kennel, carefully pulling his food bowl inside the crate as he hoards everything he can—his blankets, toys, and even a pet mat—close to his safe zone.

Layered text over the video explains: “He’s too scared to come out while we’re downstairs but when we go upstairs he hoards everything in front of his kennel.” The footage shows the former stray dog surrounded by two blankets, a pet mat, his food and water bowls, and three toys. The owner adds that he even attempted to bring in a giant rug.

How to Help a Scared Dog Adjust

To better understand how new pet parents can help a dog settle in, Newsweek spoke to Olivia Graham, head of U.S. operations at the pet rehoming site Lancaster Puppies. She offered essential tips to support rescue dogs during their adjustment period:

1. Dog-Proof Your Home and Garden Before Arrival – “Remove items dogs might chew on or swallow and secure the garden to prevent escapes. This careful preparation sets the foundation for responsible pet ownership and a safe environment.”

2. Create a Calm, Quiet Arrival Environment – “Take them outside on a lead for a toilet break and reward them warmly every time they do their business outdoors. This positive reinforcement teaches them desirable habits early on. Patience and consistency are vital to successful house training, especially in these impressionable first weeks.”
3. Set Up a Safe and Comfortable Retreat – “Position the crate or bed area close by to the hub of your home, so your dog can feel your presence without being disturbed. If your puppy or dog whimpers in the night, speak calmly to reassure them but avoid cuddling or picking them up, to prevent creating habits of waking you.”
4. Keep Them Stimulated With Safe Toys – “Providing suitable toys helps mimic natural behaviors like chewing or hunting.”
5. Schedule a Vet Visit Early On – “This will allow you to build a relationship and get tailored healthcare recommendations. Remember to look into your insurance options, to decide if this is a route that you would like to go down.”
6. Be Patient and Build Routine – “By teaching your pup to relax and feel secure early on, you lay the groundwork for a well-adjusted adult dog who can confidently handle new environments and situations. With patience, gentle supervision, and lots of positive reinforcement, your dog will soon become a happy and settled member of your family.”

TikTok Reacts

So far, the July 21 clip has more than 1,000 comments.

“Survival mood. Kind of sad. Thank you for saving him,” said one user.

Another shared: “I foster dogs from [kill] shelters [and] when they never had anything lots of times they are like “mine mine mine”. I had one that didn’t want allow any of the other dogs on the sofa she’s start to growl. She literally was like “I love this. This is all mine.”

“He will come out as soon as he trusts. So sad to think what he may have been through. I hope we get to see,” said a third user and the owner responded: “3+ months and he doesn’t trust us yet.”

Newsweek reached out to @wildalaskandogatlas for comment. We could not verify the details of the case.

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.