Most dogs eagerly dash toward the door at the sight of a leash. However, some have their own ideas about when and where they want to move. As such, it often takes a bit of creativity to get them going. A new video of a Golden Retriever shows how clever thinking and “reverse psychology” can convince even the most stubborn dog to join the walk.
Owner uses ‘reverse psychology’ to take Golden Retriever for walk in video
Moose, the Golden Retriever, isn’t a fan of wearing a harness. He prefers roaming freely and often avoids walks if he feels constrained. His owner, however, came up with an inventive strategy to get him moving. In a recent video, Moose’s dad places his stuffed dog toy in a harness and takes it outside as if it’s going for a “walk.” Moose initially heads toward the door, eager to follow, but his dad playfully tells him to stay inside. The sight of his plush companion “leaving” without him quickly changes Moose’s mind.
The video captures Moose’s classic Golden Retriever mix of curiosity and competitive spirit. Seeing the stuffed dog outside, potentially having the walk he himself wants, motivates Moose to change his attitude entirely. When his owner later returns, he straps the harness onto Moose, and this time, the dog walks happily and obediently, showing that a little clever psychology can go a long way. The owner also mentioned in the comments that treats work just as well to reinforce the positive behavior.
Between the humor and jealousy, Moose had everyone relating to his bossy, yet lovable, personality. “I can’t help but wonder what the neighbors thought if they saw him walking a plush dog on a leash,” one viewer joked, picturing the hilarious spectacle. Another said, “Goldens have such a jealous streak!” while a third admitted, “Sometimes I pretend to feed my dog’s toys when he is so picky, and he got so jealous he ate the food!” Even pop culture got a nod, “The 1975 wrote ‘Somebody Else’ based off this.”
