After noticing their 5-month-old puppy continued to escape, one couple set up a camera to find out her secret move, but the video only left them wondering how.
Owner Ari, who is known on TikTok as @wthelly.ariely, and her partner recently welcomed home an Aussiedoodle, a cross between an Australian Shepherd and a poodle. And, as many pet parents realize, they quickly learned their pup has anxiety as she'll scream through the night.
Many dogs experience anxiety, a healthy and normal emotion, from time to time. An article from the American Kennel Club reported that some of the most common reasons for a dog's anxiety include separation, fear and aging. About 14 percent of all dogs experience separation anxiety.
The couple noticed their puppy escaping her crate, breaking it and chewing through the tray, which are all signs of anxiety. Wanting to get to the bottom of her escape plan, they set up a camera in the room and closed the door, sharing the results in a July 15 TikTok video.
The pup realized she was alone and began jumping at the door within seconds. On her third hop, she used her paw to push down the door handle. It was enough to unlatch the door and she slithered her way into the other room.
Her owners screeched when they saw she had escaped. Even after rewatching the clip, they asked in the caption: "How did she figure this out on her own?"
The couple is now worried she'll soon realize all the doors in the house have the same handle, giving her access to any room she wants. Even sliding doors are not safe in their home, as she managed to figure out how those open too, Ari wrote in a comment.
As of Thursday, the TikTok clip had nearly reached half a million views and 27,200 likes. Many viewers didn't seem too shocked by the pup's mastermind, considering she's part Australian shepherd, which is considered one of the smartest dog breeds.
Offering an explanation for how, one person commented: "It's because they watch you open the doors and know how they work."
Another added: "I have a mini Aussiedoodle also, ESCAPE ARTISTS I swear."
Someone suggested: "Set up the knob like it's pointing up."
Newsweek reached out to @wthelly.ariely via TikTok for additional information and comment.
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