Video: Dog’s reaction to getting caught stealing a shoe is hilarious

You won't be able to stop watching this funny dog getting caught while being bad

By Rebekkah Adams March 18, 2023

Have you ever done something you know you shouldn’t only to wind up in the spotlight while making your epic getaway attempt? Perhaps you tried to sneak some candy as a child in front of your parent or stole a quick peek at your phone while your boss looked on? When it comes to being caught russet-handed, this pup would score the top position, and he has exactly the right response to it.

This funny dog video aptly titled “when he didn’t realize you’re in the room” starts off with a cute pooch running happily into the living room with a shoe in his mouth. It’s clear he has stolen his prize but he doesn’t yet realize that Pet Parent is sitting in the corner watching the whole exchange. When the canine gets caught, he stares guiltily up at them while the camera zooms in on him looking around the room for an escape route. Set to playful music, this is definitely one of the dog videos you don’t want to miss.

Crossposted to the r/WatchDogsWoofInside subreddit by u/hawkmoore it also appeared on r/AnimalsBeingDerps and TikTok so many fans have had their chance to weigh in. As commenter u/sokonek04 put it “If I stay perfectly still they can’t see me right?? Right????” Another, u/ShivaSkunk777, joked, “Uh mom I think this is stuck I came STRAIGHT TO YOU for help I SWEAR.” Lastly, the top comment from u/Fabulous-Spread6120 summed it up perfectly :”Both brain cells seem to be functioning appropriately.”

Dog chews something up and looks guilty while caught in the mess — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Do dogs actually feel guilty when caught in the act?

The truth is, probably not. While we know our furry friends are capable of all kinds of emotions, guilt and shame are much more complex and research says they probably don’t feel these things, at least in the same way that we do. Most likely, dogs have learned to react this way by studying us, so their real talent lies in recognizing human emotions and behaving in the way we want them to. While correcting a dog on bad behavior in the moment definitely works, if you try to go back and get them to feel guilty about an earlier transgression, you’re probably not making any headway. In this situation, we recommend a quick yet stern “Drop it” and then a reward when he complies (a head pat will suffice).

While these pet parents might need to keep their shoes in a cabinet or on a shelf in the future, it was certainly worth it this time for the laughs. We suspect that the pup did not learn his lesson though despite getting caught shoe in mouth. Long-term, a couple of training sessions might fix this dog behavior for good (unfortunately for his fans).

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Contributor

Rebekkah’s been a writer and editor for more than 10 years, both in print and digital. In addition to writing about pets…

Dogs

4 effective ways to house-train your stubborn little Chihuahua

Everything you need to know to make a housebroken Chihuahua puppy

Cute Chihuahua standing in grass.

The joys of having a new dog can come with many challenges, but there's even more to learn when you bring home a puppy. Learning how to house-train a puppy isn't always simple, and some breeds are easier to train than others.

Even though Chihuahuas are as tiny and as cute as can be, they are known for being difficult to potty train just like Bichon Frises. The American Kennel Club (AKC) describes Chihuahuas as “tiny dogs with huge personalities,” and this often includes a stubborn streak. As you can imagine, this can complicate house-training efforts.

Dogs

Science says dogs cry tears of happiness when reunited with their humans

New study shows dogs cry happy tears when reunited with pet parents

A man hugs a Golden Retriever, facing away from the camera

There are so many ways to tell whether a dog is happy. We all know to look for a wagging tail, but there are countless clues hidden in a dog's body language to let you know how they feel. But for the first time ever, Japanese researchers have confirmed that dogs show emotion in another way: by crying.
While the image of a crying dog can be enough to bring a person to tears themselves, empathetic people can rest assured--there are no sad dogs here. In fact, scientists recently discovered that dogs cry happy tears when reunited with their pet parents. Now that is a sign of true love!

Scientists wanted to explore whether tear reactions are similar in dogs and people
Azabu University professor Takefumi Kikusui was first inspired to discover the role of tear production in dogs while watching one of his Standard Poodles nursing her puppies. He noticed that she appeared to tear up while nursing, and the professor hypothesized that dogs can experience happy tears, too. After a bit of research, this pet parent and the professor found zero studies focusing on emotional tear production in animals.

Getting Started

When can kittens leave their mom? Don’t separate them too early

How soon is too soon to separate kittens from their moms?

A mama cat snuggling her three kittens.

All parents know that rearing a family is hard work, and the same holds true for mama cats. Between regularly feeding and bathing her kittens to providing a constant source of warmth and snuggles, mother cats have their work cut out for them when they're taking care of newborn kittens. However, just because Mama Cat is exhausted from caring for her litter, that doesn't mean you should separate the kittens from their mom too early. Have you ever wondered, "When can kittens leave their mom safely?"

We'll share everything you need to know about helping your cat take care of her little ones, from how to avoid kitten care becoming a second job to when kittens are old enough to safely leave their mom.