It seems that Maui the Golden Retriever believes that squinting will hide his identity after doing something naughty.
In a viral clip shared on TikTok, Maui can be seen walking as if he knows he’s done something wrong. It’s not clear what happened before the video, but its owner added the following text to the video: “All the guilty dogs walking like that.”
A stock image of a sad golden retriever lying on the ground. The same breed recently went viral on TikTok for flaunting its “guilty” gait.Veronika Saratovtseva/iStock/Getty Images Plus
However, a former veterinary tech told Newsweek that dogs don’t feel guilty.
California resident Zack Keithy said, “Dogs can exhibit behaviors that might appear like guilt, but they don’t feel as guilty as humans do. Researchers now believe that a dog’s emotional development stops at a point where that’s somewhat similar to that of a two-and-a-half-year-old child.
“When a dog acts guilty, it really shows that it is aware that its actions have upset its owner. He’s adept at reading human body language and can tell when we’re angry or upset, even if he doesn’t understand why.”
Maui’s owner hasn’t revealed why her dog walks in a lower stance, suggesting he’s trying to make himself look smaller. According to Pet MD, this type of walking usually indicates fear.
Keithy, Editor-in-Chief of Daily Dog Drama, a dog blog, added: “If your dog looks guilty when you come home with a chewed up shoe, then he doesn’t really feel remorse for his actions. They only respond to your body language and tone of voice. More importantly, using positive reinforcement training can help prevent destructive behaviors from occurring in the first place.”
@maui_thegoldenpup
I honestly could never be mad at Maui 🫣#guilty #guiltydog #goldenretriever #funnyvideos
♬ Pretty Girls Go – Big Boss Vette
So far, the comical clip shared by @maui_thegoldenpup has garnered 671,300 views and 114,500 likes since it was shared on February 23rd.
Over 790 TikTok users also commented on the clip, with one user saying, “I love how they squint their eyes like you can’t see them.”
“As his attorney… he is innocent,” said another person.
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Another said: “That’s clearly an innocent pup!”
From experience, another pet owner said, “My dog came up the stairs after pooping. He doesn’t want to go outside when it’s 7 degrees.”
It seems that dogs are more than just pets, the furry companions seem to provide plenty of entertainment for their owners (and the internet).
Newsweek previously shared a dog’s “dramatic” reaction when it thought its owner went for a walk without him. We also shared an article about a forgetful dog who thinks his owner has deserted him every time she goes out.
Newsweek reached out to @maui_thegoldenpup for comment. We have not been able to verify the details of the case.
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