Golden Retriever 'Politely Declines' Grooming-and the Internet Can't Stop Laughing

Most dogs aren't thrilled about grooming, but this Golden Retriever has found a surprisingly polite way of trying to opt out. Biscuits & Bath, a full-service dog care provider in New York City, shared a video of one of its clients who didn't mind the bath, but the blow-dry was a different story.

Each time the groomer tries to dry his fur, he gently lifts his paw and pushes the dryer away. It's his way of saying "no, thank you", and he does it like a total gentleman.

@biscuitsandbath.nyc

"no thank you… actually no thank you… I said NO THANK YOU."

Tchaikovsky "Dance of the Reed Flutes"(1257471) - kzy

We laughed when Biscuits & Bath said what the dog was probably thinking, "No thank you… Actually, no, thank you… I said NO THANK YOU."

Viewers couldn't get enough of this funny dog video; it has more than 14 million views and more than 6,500 comments. Commenter @pizzaladygirl got a whopping 457,000 likes for her comment, "Oh, no thank you. I don't need a blowout. I'm just going home after this."

@Lisa cracked us up and got 176,000 likes when she pointed out, "He's looking around like, 'Where is the d*mn manager?' LOL!"

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Why Dogs Don't Like the Blow Dryer

There's a reason so many dogs react the same way when they hear a blow dryer. According to K-9 Dryers, the experience overwhelms multiple senses at once. The noise, air pressure, heat, scents, and unfamiliar sensation of forced air moving through their coat can create a sensory overload that many dogs simply aren't prepared for.

The sound alone can be a major trigger. While humans typically hear frequencies between 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz, dogs can hear up to around 65,000 Hz, making them far more sensitive to high-pitched noise. As K-9 Dryers explains, what sounds like a mild inconvenience to us can feel like "a screaming turbine inches from their skull" to a dog.

If you bathe your dog at home, there are ways to help them get more comfortable with the drying process. Start by placing the dryer on the floor while it's turned off, and let your dog investigate it at their own pace, offering treats to build a positive association.

Next, try turning the dryer on in another room while your dog is eating. This helps them get used to the sound without feeling overwhelmed. From there, you can gradually introduce the dryer on a low setting in the same room, keeping it pointed away at first.

When your dog is ready, briefly aim the airflow at a less sensitive area, like the shoulder, for a few seconds. Over time, you can slowly increase the duration and coverage, but patience is key, as the process can take days or even weeks, depending on the dog.

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This story was originally published May 3, 2026 at 9:00 PM.