A TikTok video featuring a Golden Retriever’s bewildered reaction to his owner’s fake petting has gone viral. The dog clearly anticipates affection, but instead receives phantom pets, leaving him visibly confused. Viewers online have found the dog’s expression hilarious, with many imagining what the pup might be thinking. Commenters suggest the dog feels the ‘pet’ but doesn’t actually experience it. Some likened the situation to Reiki, while others emphasized the dog’s confusion. The video sparks discussion about dogs’ ability to sense deception, referencing studies by the American Kennel Club (AKC) that prove dogs are aware that humans are deceiving them.

Highlights

* A TikTok video shows a Golden Retriever confused by his owner’s “pretend pets.”
* Viewers found the dog’s baffled reaction hilarious, leaving thousands of comments.
* Experts say dogs can sense when humans are being deceptive or “lying” about actions.

Golden Retriever’s Hilarious Reaction to “Pretend Pets” Goes Viral!

The Look of Utter Confusion

Have you ever seen a dog look utterly bewildered? Prepare to witness pure comedic gold! A TikTok video posted by @yourdressbff is sweeping the internet, showcasing a Golden Retriever’s reaction to his dad’s hilarious prank: pretending to pet him.

In the video, Dad relaxes on the couch as the eager pup approaches, tail wagging, ready for some affection. But instead of real pets, Dad teasingly moves his hand just above the dog’s head, simulating the act of petting without actual contact.

The dog’s reaction is priceless. His brow furrows, his head tilts, and a look of profound confusion washes over his face. It’s as if he’s thinking, “Am I going crazy? Is this real life?”

“He was concerned,” @yourdressbff captioned the video. And concerned is an understatement!

The video has struck a chord with dog lovers everywhere, racking up millions of views and thousands of comments. This playful, confusing interaction will make you smile!

Thousands React: “What the Fluff?”

The comments section is a goldmine of hilarious observations and relatable anecdotes. People are clearly connecting with the dog’s bewildered expression.

Here are some of the best reactions:

• @CrzySqrl218 (16,000 likes): “He’s like, ‘It’s weird… I feel it… but I don’t…'”
• @Kristin (15,000 likes): “The eyebrows are saying ‘What the fluff?’ LOL!”
• @TTsoftAaf: “I see pet but I don’t feel pet.”
• @Orb Tok: “I can’t feel my face.”
• @Guittarmom88: “Am I tripping or are you tripping, I’m really freaking out right now man…”
• @Just Another Jenn: “It’s reiki style petting!”
• @sugarpants425: “That poor dog is so confused. He doesn’t know which one of them has the problem! LOL!”

The video showcases the incredible intelligence and sensitivity of our canine companions.

Are Dogs on to Us? The Science of Deception

Beyond the laughter, this video touches on a fascinating aspect of canine cognition: a dog’s ability to understand human intentions. Research suggests that dogs are far more perceptive than we might give them credit for.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) highlights how dogs react when we pretend to throw a ball or offer an imaginary treat. They initially show excitement, but quickly discern the truth, often giving their humans a look of disappointment.

“For a dog to know you’re lying, they need to have a sense of your mental state. In other words, they need to know what you know. That’s a sophisticated cognitive skill.”

Scientists believe this indicates that dogs possess a basic understanding of our thoughts and beliefs, a skill previously thought to be unique to humans. They can tell when our actions don’t align with our intentions.

The Golden Retriever in the video certainly seems to suspect his dad is up to no good. And when our team tried this at home, our dog gave us the same perplexed look!

Try It Yourself (With Caution!)

Inspired by the viral video, we encourage you to try the “pretend pet” prank on your own dog – but be warned, the results may vary! Some dogs may find it amusing, while others might be genuinely confused or even offended. Remember to prioritize your dog’s comfort and well-being above all else.

But be prepared for the disappointment!

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FAQ

Okay, here are 12 frequently asked questions (FAQs) based on the article provided, designed to be informative and engaging:

1. What happened in the TikTok video that’s causing so much buzz?

   • A dad pretended to pet his Golden Retriever, moving his hand just above the dog’s head and body, and the dog’s reaction of confusion was priceless.

2. What was the dog’s reaction to the “pretend petting?”

   • The dog looked completely baffled and confused, trying to understand why he wasn’t actually being touched despite the petting motion.

3. What did @yourdressbff, the TikToker who shared the video, say about the dog’s reaction?

   • The caption shared by @yourdressbff said, “He was concerned.”

4. What were some of the funniest comments viewers left on the video?

   • Some top comments included:
     • “It’s weird … I feel it… but I don’t…”
     • “The eyebrows are saying ‘What the fluff?’ LOL!”
     • “I see pet but I don’t feel pet.”
     • “I can’t feel my face.”
     • “‘My human is broken’ LOL!”
     • “It’s reiki style petting!”
     • “That poor dog is so confused. He doesn’t know which one of them has the problem! LOL!”

5. Why do people find this video so funny?

   • The dog’s visible confusion and the relatable scenario of wanting affection makes the video highly amusing and shareable.

6. Does the article suggest trying this “pretend petting” on other dogs?

   • Yes, the article mentions wanting to try it on their own dog and also states that when they finally tried it on their dog, she had the same reaction!

7. Can dogs tell when humans are lying?

   • Yes, research suggests dogs can sense when humans are being dishonest.

8. How does the American Kennel Club (AKC) illustrate that dogs can detect lies?

   • The AKC uses the example of pretending to throw a ball or imaginary treat; the dog may initially look for it, but then shows disappointment, suggesting they know the action wasn’t genuine.

9. What cognitive ability is required for a dog to understand that someone is lying?

   • Dogs need to have a sense of the human’s mental state, meaning they need to know what the human knows. This sophisticated cognitive skill is the ability to attribute false beliefs to others.

10. What does the article imply about the Golden Retriever in the video?

    • The article suggests that the Golden Retriever in the video likely knows his dad is tricking him.

11. Where was this story originally reported?

    • This story was originally reported by PetHelpful on Nov 1, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet News section.

12. How can readers get more stories about pets?

    • Readers can sign up to get “pawsitivity” delivered right to their inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends.