A mischievous Labrador retriever puppy has captured the hearts of TikTok users with her sneaky attempts to break a house rule—no going upstairs without permission.
The video, shared by TikTok user @mapleandholly on September 12, has garnered over 380,000 views, as viewers watch the puppy slyly crawl her way into her owner’s room.
A message overlaid on the video says “POV [point of view]: You’re a 5-month-old puppy who knows she’s not allowed upstairs.” The video shows the young Labrador quietly peeking over the stairs before stealthily creeping up into the forbidden zone.
Once at the top of the stairs, the puppy makes her way into the room and sits by the edge of the bed.
While it may seem like the puppy knows she’s doing something she shouldn’t, the owner clarified in a later comment that the dog isn’t entirely banned from the upstairs area.
“They [the dogs] do sleep on the bed a couple of times throughout the week,” the owner explained. “I just like to also have the option that they can be downstairs and be fine for whatever reason may come. It’s a good skill for them to have.”
In another comment, the owner further added “They are allowed upstairs. But I have an ‘OK’ command which means they can. She knows I didn’t give it in this video.”
The puppy’s behavior in the viral post comes as no surprise as a number of studies have shown that dogs might not be as mindful of being watched as humans are. According to a January 2020 study published in Scientific Reports, while people are less likely to engage in risky behavior when they feel they’re being observed, canines “do not show the watching-eye effect,” despite their sensitivity to human eyes.
The pup’s determination to be near her owner is also in line with research on the strong bond between dogs and their human companions.
A May 2013 study published in PLOS One explained that the relationship between adult dogs and their owners closely mirrors the attachment bond between infants and their caregivers. “Dogs are dependent on human care and their behavior seems specifically geared to engage their owners’ care-giving system,” the study noted.
‘That Face’
TikTok users were delighted by the puppy’s sneaky antics, leaving a flurry of affectionate comments on the post.
“She’s just a baby,” wrote Olivia Mae Maiden, while user shaunafraser simply added “Awww sweetheart.”
Another commenter, @badass.w1tch, praised the pup’s appearance, saying “Oh she’s beautiful,” while megbutlah exclaimed “HOW CAN YOU SAY NO.”
Many found it impossible to be upset with the puppy’s actions, with Samantha Davis commenting “Awww how could you be mad at that face?” and megbutlah noted “HOW CAN YOU SAY NO.”
One user, Carl, compared the puppy’s stealthy approach to his own dog’s more forceful antics, saying “Wish my dog did this. My dog barges through the bedroom door in the morning like he’s got a search warrant!”
Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via TikTok. This video has not been independently verified.
A stock image of a Labrador retriever puppy looking off in the distance. A video of a Labrador retriever puppy attempting to sneak into her owner’s bedroom has gone viral on TikTok.
iStock / Getty Images Plus
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