A golden retriever has left internet viewers in hysterics with his crafty method of waking up his owner.
The charming canine, Barney, was caught in the act by his human, who uses the handle @mybestiebarney on TikTok. The video shows the mischievous pooch persistently pulling his owner's eye mask off in a bid for some morning attention. "Wakey wakey," reads the caption of the now-viral clip, which has amassed over 22.8 million views and more than 3 million likes on TikTok.
In the clip, Barney confidently joins his owner in bed. During the second attempt to remove the mask, the pup pulls it far enough that it could have snapped back into his owner's face—but thankfully, he holds on just in time.
The American Kennel Club says that dogs wake their owners early for several reasons. Canines may wake their humans to go outside, eat, or simply because they are bored. Sometimes, they are excited to start the day or are seeking attention.
If early-morning wake-ups are becoming a nuisance, there are solutions.
Dog trainer Ben Randall suggests creating a consistent routine, ensuring your pup gets plenty of exercise, and making sure they have a comfortable sleeping space.
Gradually teaching them that you will get up on your schedule—not theirs—can also help.
Golden retrievers like Barney are known for their love of sleep, often clocking anywhere from 12 to 14 hours a day, according to Golden Meadows Retrievers. However, their natural energy and need for interaction mean they are often up and ready for action long before their owners.
Morning wake-up calls, such as Barney's inventive mask-removal technique, may be their way of signaling they are rested and eager to start the day.
TikTok users couldn't get enough of Barney's antics, flooding the comments with laughter and stories of their own pets' wake-up calls.
"That second pull was a threat," posted Taylor Lee.
"Second pull: You live because I let you," commented another TikTok user.
"I woke up 3 nights ago to MY GOLDEN STANDING ON MY NECK asking for breakfast at 0600," wrote dog-lover Caity.
"This would be the cutest/most aggravating way to wake up," added Ben.
Newsweek reached out to @mybestiebarney for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.
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