Dog owners will do anything for their furry friends—and, sometimes, that includes crafting an official certificate to celebrate just how kind-hearted their pets can be.
In a Reddit post shared by u/OrderOutrageous6541, a dog can be seen sitting proudly on a chair, seemingly smiling as a framed “certificate of appreciation” rests beside him. The next photo shows a tiny bird in the owner’s hand, while the pup looks up from the ground toward the nest above them. According to the certificate, the award was created “in recognition of his heroic actions.”
The user explained in the caption: “My dog discovered a baby bird, gently checked on it, and now he’s officially ‘Hero of the Day.’”
My dog discovered a baby bird, gently checked on it, and now he’s officially “Hero of the Day.
by u/OrderOutrageous6541 in aww
In the comments, the poster confirmed that the baby bird was “safe and unharmed.”
The wholesome moment has won over Reddit users, with one commenting: “Well done, Archie. A shining example of a very good [boy].”
Another added: “Ooooh my goodness. Great job Archie! You’re the best boy and an absolute hero.”
Why This Is So Remarkable
While this gentle behavior is heart-melting, it is also somewhat surprising. Many dogs instinctively view birds as prey. As the American Kennel Club (AKC) explains, canines aren’t fascinated by birds and squirrels because they find them cute, but because of their ancient wolf instincts. Long before domestication, wolves survived by chasing prey, and, despite centuries of selective breeding, that built‑in “see it, chase it” response still exists.
Not all dogs follow the full predatory sequence, and breeding influences which parts remain strongest.
Sporting breeds, such as Labrador retrievers, were developed to retrieve birds without harming them.
Herding breeds, such as Border collies, tend to display the “eye and stalk” stages more intensely. But, across all breeds, movement is the key trigger—even a flutter of wings can activate instinct.
How Owners Can Manage Bird-Chasing Instincts
According to the AKC, you can’t erase instinct, but you can manage it:
- Prevent the obsession from building—Avoid letting your dog sprint into the yard every time a squirrel appears. Instead, reserve the yard for potty breaks and keep the dog on-leash while practicing impulse control.
- Teach focus early—Use cues like “watch me” before your dog notices a bird. If they’ve already spotted it, redirect with “leave it.” Start in low‑distraction environments.
- Reward the behavior you want—if your dog looks away on cue, you can reward them by letting them go back to calmly watching the bird—without chasing.
- Don’t use commands you know they’ll ignore—If a squirrel has completely captured your dog’s attention, don’t call “come.” Instead, walk over and clip the leash on. Using cues that fail only teaches the pup that commands are optional.
Newsweek reached out to u/OrderOutrageous6541 for comment. We could not verify the details of the case.