Border Collie Lottie and her German shepherd brother Grizzly were both adopted and have learned many tricks, but one thing they have taught themselves is to give each other hugs.

Taylor Duguay of Sudbury, Ontario adopted Lottie when she was four months old.  A year later, she adopted seven-week-old Grizzly.   From the very beginning, the two dogs developed a very close bond.

“As far as their relationship together, it’s something out of a storybook. Lottie is convinced Grizzly is her own pup. From day one she treated him with love and care,” Duguay said.

“Lottie and Grizzly always have more fun doing things together. Even simply while we watch TV you can find Grizzly and Lottie grooming each other or cuddling up close for a nap.”

Duguay has trained Lottie over 250 tricks to perform in competitions.

“Lottie loves nothing more than performing for crowds. It makes her so excited. “She is my best friend and I’m so happy to have her as my team mate.”

But the hugging just came about naturally.

“Lottie sort of did it on her own. At first Grizzly wasn’t sure what was going on. Now when I ask Lottie who her best friend is, you can even catch Grizzly getting ready for the hug and leaning into her. The hugging trick is one of many double dog tricks they know.”