A hilarious Instagram video from @thebiggestlittlenewfie shows that there is no better way to lure a dog after their walk than a fake treat. It sounds mean, but Gus’ owners might convince you otherwise. In the video, Augustus “Gus” Skilling, a Newfoundland with the emotional range of a toddler, learns it is time to go home, but he still has the day’s walking quota to complete. What follows is pure chaos.
Owner tricks dog with fake treat when he refuses to walk
The dog decides the walk is ending a little too soon and stages a sidewalk protest, so what better option is there to get him to budge than offering a fake treat?
At first, the Newfoundland’s mom tugs gently on the leash and tries to reason with him, saying, “Gus, we gotta go.” Gus then dramatically drops to the ground and flops over on his side. His dad steps in, squatting to coax him up, but the huge dog pretends to go completely lifeless, letting his body sink back to the pavement each time his dad tries lifting him, as if he is chum with gravity in this plan. When the dad tries again, Gus maintains his strategy.
A passerby stops to take in the scene, and Gus rolls his head toward the commentary without actually getting up, while his mom explains, “Yeah, he’s not ready for the walk to be done.”
The owners even try the bluff — walking away while calling out “bye.” Gus watches them with an expression that says, “You wouldn’t,” but he still does not stand. Meanwhile, Dad circles back for one more attempt, even offering a high-five and a pep talk, saying, “Mr. Bean, it’s time to go. High-five, let’s go” — but does Gus move? No, he remains a fuzzy roadblock.
Then the dog’s dad flashes a fake treat, and suddenly Gus remembers he has legs, pops up, and starts moving. The caption under the video says, “Can’t believe I fell for the fake treat,” but then refusing an unprecedented treat must have felt like a huge price to pay for a walk.
The dog has learned the tactic to keep the walk going, except when he falls for a fake treat.
