An 8-month-old cockapoo took it upon himself to scare off three bears who crashed his backyard over the weekend.

Pawlee the cockapoo woofed away a mother bear and her two cubs that were cozying up in the Osiason family's yard over the weekend. After the fearless puppy charged, the two cubs darted up a tree before the trio headed into the woods.

"He tries to show, even though he's a small dog, he plays 'big dog'," says owner Andrew Osiason. "He shows no fear, he's only 8 months old, so I don't think he quite knows really what a bear can do to him."

The bears haven't been back to the Osiasons since, but the trio may have been spotted in another nearby yard over the weekend. Authorities believe the bears were likely foraging for food in preparation for this winter's hibernation.

Animal control officials have set up bear traps to catch the family and plan on moving them to a more spacious habitat.

For more on the brave little puppy, go to channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and select iO Extra.