Golden Retriever Launches Full-Scale Cuddle Campaign to Ensure Dad Knows He’s There

A hilarious Golden Retriever has the funniest ways to demand cuddles and ensure Dad knows he's there.

On September 16, 2024, Instagram user Levi SB (@levi.s.b) shared a video of what happens at home when Goose, a Golden Retriever, isn't getting attention every second he's awake. Take a look!

In the clip, Dad is sitting at the table in a chair when a very adult Golden Retriever tries to climb onto his lap.

Related: Golden Retriever Demanding to ‘Retrieve’ Head of Lettuce Is So On-Brand

The funniest thing about this at first glance is that this Golden Retriever isn't the size of a lap dog. He's huge.

But that doesn't stop him.

It wasn't easy for the pup to climb onto his dad's lap, especially because he was seated at a table. But the sweet and persistent dog continued and flailed his back paws until he was finally all on his dad's lap.

The whole time, Dad was giggling because he knew why the sweet pup climbed up. It wasn't at his prompting; it was because 100% of Dad's attention wasn't on the doggo.

"This is every time I ignore him for half a second," the video's caption reads. And in the comment section, people also laughed at the silly dog's antics.

One wrote, "No one will ever love like a Golden Retriever loves. We don’t deserve their pure souls."

Another shared, "He doesn't know he is big and doesn't understand why you don't baby him!!"

Someone else added, "I want a dog to want to get in my lap so he can give me a kiss and a hug, too."

One wrote, "My 7-month-old Golden does this all the time while I’m working, and I can never say no."

Another admitted, "Had me in stitches! Love watching his effort to get up on Dad. I know how that feels. My Irish want the same thing and I just roll my eyes and let them climb up."

Someone joked, "Can’t get close enough…must try to crawl into soul."

How to Help a Clingy Dog

We're not saying this sweet Golden Retriever is clingy, but it can be a real issue for some dog families.

According to the American Kennel Club, clingy dogs are also known as "Velcro dogs," and they show signs of stress and anxiety when they're not by your side. It's normal for our dogs to want to be around us but if your dog is always at your feet so much you trip on them and they're essentially your shadow, that's when the normal behavior can turn into an unhealthy trait.

To help clingy dogs, there are a few different avenues dog parents can take to reduce these behaviors.

Making sure your dog gets lots of exercise and has enough mental stimulation at home can make a big difference. Sometimes, when dogs are bored, they're unable to relax, which could be a big piece of the puzzle.

Also boundaries set early can make a big difference. "Set up rules and stick to them," the club explains. If you want your dog to stay away from the dinner table or sleep in their own bed every night, work on training your dog to do that."

Of course, if you're really struggling, it's a good idea to book an appointment with your veterinarians so they can better guide you on the specific needs of your dog.