A video of a dog getting up to some energetic nocturnal activity when let outside to relieve itself in the middle of the night has gone viral on TikTok.
The clip was posted by Josh (@itzjosh343911) and has had over 300,000 views since it was first shared on September 25.
A message overlaid on the video reads: "When you let your Florida dog out to pee at 3am and he doesn't come back." The footage shows a dog swimming up to the edge of what appears to be pool.
The sneaky antics are unsurprising because dogs are able to adjust their behavior and "use tactical deception," according to the findings of a March 2017 study by researchers from the University of Zürich.
Marianne Heberlein led the study, which was published in the peer-reviewed journal Animal Cognition. Heberlein told the New Scientist in March 2017 that the dogs showed an "impressive flexibility in behavior," adding that "they're not just sticking to a strict rule, but thinking about what different options they have."
As naughty as the night swimming may be in the latest clip, the activity itself is a great form of exercise for our canine companions, especially for those with stiff or painful joints. Swimming can also help keep dogs cool in hot weather.
However, "not every dog is a water baby," according to the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), a veterinary charity based in the U.K. Dogs with short legs (such as corgis) or ones with short noses (such as pugs), for example, will find swimming hard work.
Dogs should never be left to swim unsupervised. "Even a regular swimmer can get into trouble if they encounter strong currents or can't figure out how to exit a pool," says the VCA, one of North America's largest animal hospital chains.
Some swimming spots are much safer for dogs than others. These include lakes, dog-friendly beaches, slow-moving rivers as well as private swimming pools or paddling pools, advises the PDSA.
Several TikTok users were in stitches over the dog's behavior in the latest viral video.
MJ said: "Just a little early morning dip! It's refreshing!"
Carrie Smith630 said the pup must have thought, "relax mom, it's just a little night swim."
GoddezzKnowsLaLa wrote the dog must have been saying "WHAT! I wanted a swim u have a problem wit dat."
Jules noted it's just a "Quick skinny dip," and AlwaysBroken wrote, "Night swims are great. !!!"
Mevoypalpueblo said, "What a character," while nancylong703 simply said, "so cute."
Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via TikTok. This video has not been independently verified.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Soo Kim is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. She covers various lifestyle stories, specializing in travel and health.
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