It’s no secret that many of us enjoy a little people-watching. For dogs, though, it’s like their very own reality TV show. While public outings are the prime spot for people-watching, some dogs prefer to stay home and keep tabs on everything going on in their neighborhood from a comfortable perch—like a cozy balcony or a front yard.
That’s exactly what Josie, a Golden Retriever puppy, has recently discovered. In a viral TikTok video shared by her mom on March 16, Josie’s newfound passion for watching over her neighborhood has officially earned her the role of “official neighborhood watch dog.”
A New Role for Josie
In the video, Josie is seen intently observing the world below from her balcony, clearly absorbed in everything happening in her vicinity. She’s taken up her new post with determination—after all, what if something important happens and she misses it? According to her mom’s caption, “POV: You assigned yourself as the neighborhood watch dog,” and it’s easy to see that Josie has taken the responsibility very seriously.
Despite being only five months old, Josie is already showing signs of protective behavior, which might be a bit earlier than expected. Typically, dogs become more territorial and protective around 18-24 months of age, but this puppy is already ahead of the curve.
A Puppy’s Protective Instincts
Josie may be just a few months old, but she’s already embracing her role as a protector of her domain. While Golden Retrievers are generally known for being friendly and sociable, they do have a natural instinct to protect their loved ones when they sense the need. This early demonstration of territorial behavior is a sign that Josie is maturing into her protective instincts a bit sooner than most.
Of course, Josie may also be more of a neighborhood gossip than a traditional watch dog. She’s certainly got the best seat in the house to witness all the action without having to leave the comfort of her porch, making it easy to stay in the loop about everything happening nearby.
Whether she’s the watch dog or the nosy neighbor, Josie is undoubtedly enjoying her new role—and we’re all here for it!