Being the older sibling comes with responsibilities. You have to share your toys, put up with a little chaos and, apparently, teach your baby sister how to swim.
At least, that’s the job Chili the Golden Retriever seems to have given himself.
When Golden Retriever puppy Stevie joined her new family, Chili was immediately smitten. Instead of simply tolerating the energetic little newcomer, he embraced his role as big brother.
And during a recent trip to the water, Chili proved just how seriously he takes that job.
Stevie was learning how to navigate the pool, and her big brother was right there beside her.
In an adorable video, Chili swims alongside the puppy while the two dogs hold onto the same toy. Rather than racing ahead or ignoring his little sister, Chili stays close and calmly guides Stevie through the water.
It looks less like a swimming lesson and more like a proud big brother saying, “Don’t worry. I’ve got you.”
And Stevie seems to take the lesson seriously.
The puppy initially has to figure out how to move through the water, but with Chili nearby, she gradually becomes more comfortable.
His confidence appears to give her the encouragement she needs to keep going.
A human lifeguard is also right beside the dogs throughout the session, providing supervision and helping keep the swimming lesson safe.
The dogs were enjoying the aquatic center at Green Leaf Pet Resort, where swimming is more than just a recreational activity.
The facility offers dogs opportunities to learn how to swim, become comfortable in the water, exercise, receive water therapy and participate in recovery activities.
For Stevie and Chili, though, it seems like the pool is simply the perfect place for some sibling bonding.
The first video was so sweet that viewers were eager to see how Stevie’s swimming skills developed. A follow-up clip showed that the tiny puppy didn’t need very long to start getting the hang of it.
As Stevie paddled around with growing confidence, Chili watched nearby like the proudest big brother imaginable.
It is easy to see why the videos resonated with so many dog lovers. There is something incredibly heartwarming about watching an older dog patiently show a younger puppy how to approach something unfamiliar.
Dogs can learn a great deal by observing other dogs.
A calm, confident canine companion can sometimes help a younger pup feel more comfortable in a new environment, particularly when the older dog is already familiar with the activity.
But that doesn’t mean every dog should simply follow another dog into the water.
Swimming ability varies from dog to dog, and puppies should always be closely supervised around pools, lakes and other bodies of water.
A safe introduction should happen gradually, with a person present and ready to assist if needed.
Stevie had exactly that kind of support — both from her human caregiver and her devoted big brother.
And perhaps Chili’s greatest lesson wasn’t actually about swimming.
It was about confidence.
With her big brother paddling beside her, Stevie discovered that the water wasn’t so scary after all. Soon, she was moving through it with a confidence that made Chili look almost proud.
For Chili, being a big brother apparently means more than playing and sharing toys.
Sometimes, it means being the one who shows little sister that she can do something she never thought she could.
And if this sweet pair keeps practicing together, Stevie may soon be the one leading Chili around the pool.
Super easy to navigate and the registration process took me less than a minute. It’s refreshing to find a site like zuply that doesn’t overcomplicate things for the users.