Golden Retriever Gives Mom the Cold Shoulder After Being Forced to Leave the Pool - and the Sulking Is Next Level
If you've ever tried to get your (human) child out of the pool on a warm summer day, you can relate to one dog mom's plight. Mom did the (gasp!) unthinkable by forcing her Golden Retriever out of the pool. In return, the dog got dramatic-as Golden Retrievers are known to do-and let mom know exactly how he felt about being evicted from the swimming pool.
In the video, which has quickly taken off on TikTok, a Golden Retriever can be seen in the car after a day at the pool. The gorgeous pup, still wearing his dog-specific swim robe, sits in the backseat of mom's car, giving her what can best be described as the cold shoulder. Except this dog's cold shoulder includes his entire back.
The dog is letting mom know exactly how he feels about having to leave the pool, and how he feels is mad.
@thespicygoldenn He's so dramatic #goldenretriever#thespicygolden#maddog#doglover#poolday
original sound - Bentley the Spicy Golden
Social media followers are on the dog's side (sorry, mom), commenting, "He wasn't done playing mermaid," and "Poor baby needs more pool."
Sure, the dog had been at the pool for two hours, but that's just a warm-up for this water-loving dog breed.
Related: Precious Foster Dogs Takes His Blankie for a Nap, but How He Gets There Is Adorable
Why Golden Retrievers Are Water Dogs
@thegoldensloanes Shoney always makes me think she's gonna jump in with the others #goldensoftiktok#goldenretrievers#swimmingdogs#swimmingpool
original sound - Thegoldensloanes
This dog's dramatic reaction to leaving the pool for the day might be heavy on the big feelings, but Golden Retrievers are water-loving dogs by nature.
Bred for generations to retrieve waterfowl from lakes and rivers, Golden Retrievers have a deep-seated ancestral desire to be in the water. Put a Golden Retriever near a pond, lake, or pool, and that dog will want to jump in. This breed loves the water. Chalk it up to its ancestry.
Golden Retrievers also have physical traits that make being in the water desirable, including water-resistant coats and webbed paws, which not only make swimming easy but also enjoyable.
Goldens are also born with an "otter tail," which acts like a rudder and helps them steer and balance while swimming.
Golden Retrievers are not only bred to dive into the water in pursuit of prey, but they're also physically built to swim. That doesn't mean it gets any easier to convince a Golden Retriever to leave the pool or lake for the day.
This dog is clearly in need of a pup cup-or more time at the pool.
Related: Tiny 1.3-Pound Rescue Puppy's Adorable Bald Little Head Is Stealing Hearts
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published June 8, 2026 at 4:19 AM.