A golden retriever named Gus has captured the internet’s attention after waking his owner in the early hours of the morning, leading to a chaotic backyard scene.
The viral TikTok video shows Gus (@goldengusgus) proudly holding a bat in his mouth, trying to convince his exhausted owner that it’s the perfect time to play outside—despite the reason they’re both awake being far less fun.
According to the owner, the pair were up because Gus had an upset stomach. Even so, his enthusiasm didn’t waver, and the clip, which can be seen here, has racked up more than 348,000 views.
Layered text on the video reads “[Point of view]: your dog has diarrhea in the middle of the night and thinks it’s the perfect time to p*** you off even more,” earning over 67,000 likes.
The caption, written from Gus’ perspective, adds: “but the bat is for emotional support since my belly hurts.”
Why This Behavior Checks Out for Golden Retrievers
For anyone familiar with the breed, Gus’ antics come as no surprise. The American Kennel Club (AKC) explains that golden retrievers tend to stay playful and puppy‑like well into adulthood, maintaining their goofy, high‑energy nature far longer than many other breeds.
They thrive on activities like fetching, swimming, hiking, and other high‑energy sports, making them poorly suited for a couch‑potato lifestyle.
Like other retrievers, they’re also naturally mouthy—often carrying sticks, toys, clothing, or anything else they can get hold of—which makes Gus’ middle‑of‑the‑night bat accessory perfectly on brand.
TikTok Reacts
Viewers were quick to relate, laugh, and share their own late‑night pet chaos.
“Just love how goldens create even more chaos at the worst times,” said one user.
Another joked: “The bat would have been his only support [because] I’m going back to bed.”
A third chimed in: “I mean you’re already awake, can’t a good boy do a little batting practice?”
Someone else added their own story: “My Great Pyrenees thinks 3am is the appropriate time for bathroom time because she refuses to the 15 times I took her out before I was asleep at 10.”
The Importance of Early Routine
The AKC also emphasizes the value of consistent potty routines. Establishing habits early—taking a puppy out after waking, meals, water breaks, naps, and play—helps them learn predictable bathroom patterns.
As dogs mature, these early routines pay off, resulting in better bladder control, fewer accidents, and an easier‑to‑manage adult dog overall. In Gus’ case, even a solid routine can’t prevent every midnight emergency, but it does set the foundation for a well‑regulated companion in the long term.
Newsweek reached out to @goldengusgus for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.
