TikToker Caroline Ecker recently noticed her Golden Retriever, Banks, sniffing around something in the yard. She thought it was probably a turtle but was surprised to find out that it was a tiny baby fawn instead!
Banks and the fawn were clearly both curious about each other and took a few seconds to stop and sniff each other out. Banks was happy with the meeting, as you can see by his happy, wagging tail. The baby fawn wasn’t quite as sure and quickly headed back to mom, who was lying in the grass under the shade of a tree with another fawn lying behind her!
@carolineecker We thought Banks had found a turtle this morning, turns out it was the cutest baby fawn. 😩❤️❤️❤️ #babyfawn #babydeer #goldenretriever #goldenretrieverlife #fawn #playfuldog #dogmom
Banks the Golden Retriever was so curious and gentle with the tiny fawn! People loved Caroline’s video and left hundreds of comments. @Derrick shared, “The fact that mom was ok with it, just watching her baby play in the park.” I laughed when @viciouslittlebooks added, “The dog is lucky momma didn’t want the smoke that morning ha!”
@Life of Paige pointed out, “It’s a real-life Disney movie!” @Don’t Be Suspicious agreed, “This is the most wholesome thing I’ve seen all year. Thank you for sharing it. What a good doggy!!” I loved @Jess & Finn’s comment, “‘Hi! What kind of dog are you? I’m what’s called a good boy!’ -dog probably.”
Related: Deer and Her Fawn’s Sweet Encounter with Golden Retriever is Straight Out of a Disney Movie
Are Deer Afraid of Dogs?
According to Deer Knowledge, deer are generally afraid of dogs. “Deer have a strong instinctual fear of predators, and dogs can be perceived as a threat due to their body language and behavior. The presence of a dog is often enough to deter deer from entering a yard or garden.
However, it’s important to note that individual deer may react differently to dogs based on previous experiences and specific situations. Some deer may be more fearful of dogs than others, while some may be more habituated to their presence.”
The same article shares this caveat, “The relationship between deer and dogs can vary depending on the context. For instance, if the dog is acting aggressively or chasing the deer, the deer is more likely to feel threatened and exhibit a fear response. On the other hand, if the dog is calm and non-threatening, the deer may not be as fearful.”
Because Banks was so calm and gentle with the fawn, the mama deer didn’t feel threatened and allowed the exchange to happen. That doesn’t mean she will feel the same way the next time; it just depends on how the dog and the fawn react to each other. Mom would have no problem stepping in if she needed to!