Watch How Dog Walker Deals With Golden Retriever's 'Protest Stance'

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A New York City dog walker's video has quickly gone viral after she shared the realities of dealing with stubborn dogs.

But of all the dogs TikTok user @hi_i_am_abigail walks in the city, Goose the golden retriever is the most difficult, she said in the clip.

She placed the camera on the ground to film her and Goose standing at the corner of an intersection. She attempted to walk with Goose, but he kept his head down, standing firm and not budging. No amount of pulling would get him to pick up his paws in the direction she wanted.

His "protest stance" was in full swing, and Goose wasn't going to move unless it was in the direction of home.

Golden retriever refusing to walk
Goose the golden retriever refuses to go with his dog walker. @hi_i_am_abigail/TikTok

Goose won't even move when the dog walker drops his leash. She said they do this for about an hour before she eventually throws in the towel and heads to Goose's house, which, of course, he has no problem walking toward.

The December 5 TikTok video quickly went viral, with over 11.2 million views and nearly 2 million likes. Users are coming to Goose's defense, claiming it is his world and she's just living in it.

"Goose really said the walk ends here," read the comment on the official TikTok account for Pepsi.

One viewer said she knows Goose and commented: "THAT'S MY ROOMMATES DOG. Fun fact Bradley Cooper pet him the other day."

Someone responded: "If Bradley Cooper pet me on a street corner once I'd also just stand there waiting for it to happen again."

Newsweek reached out via email to the poster for additional information.

Challenges With Dog Walking

Signing up to become a dog walker can be very appealing because, well, who wouldn't want to spend their days with furry companions? But despite the draw of the job, dog walkers have to face some challenges.

For starters, the weather can be hit or miss, and if you're in a place with extremes, it can be rough. Winters can dip below 0 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas of the U.S., while summers can reach a blistering 100 degrees. In both extremes, dogs will need to wear protective gear to keep them safe.

Another downside of being a dog walker for some might be the varying characteristics of each dog. Dogs can be unpredictable. While some might be a joy to walk, others could be aggressive, making it hard on the walker when passing by another dog or person.

But thankfully for dog lovers, the pros far outweigh the cons.

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.

About the writer

Liz O'Connell is a Newsweek Reporter based in North Carolina. Her focus is on pet news and videos. Liz joined Newsweek in 2023 and had previously worked at PetHelpful.com, the Charlotte Business Journal, and The Anson Record. She is a graduate of the University of Arizona. Languages: English. You can get in touch with Liz by emailing e.oconnell@newsweek.com.


Liz O'Connell is a Newsweek Reporter based in North Carolina. Her focus is on pet news and videos. Liz joined ... Read more