Guilty Dog ‘Keeps Quiet Until Lawyer Present’ Makes Internet Laugh

A dog’s guilty look after digging a hole in the garden has left internet users laughing their heads off.

Seb Aubrey (@seb_aubrey), 33, came home one day to discover a mysterious hole in his garden, leading him to launch an investigation with his prime suspect: Jax, his chocolate Labrador retriever.

Jax’s reaction, captured on camera, has been viewed more than 2.4 million times and liked more than 303,000 times on TikTok. “In the video, I had just come home and he couldn’t look me in the eye. He was just sitting there and making this face, almost smiling,” Aubrey said. Newsweek.

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The clip begins with Jax sitting in the backyard. His big brown eyes crinkle and his nose twitches as he sniffs the air, all the while avoiding his owner’s gaze. Aubrey, who was clearly amused, asked the all-important question: “Did you like that?”

Jax’s response—or lack thereof—was priceless. He stood perfectly still, his eyes narrowed. But ultimately, he remained silent, staring into space, as if deep in thought.

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Aubrey said the real culprit could have been Piper, her mischievous boxer. But whether it was Jax or the other dog who committed the crime, both dogs managed to get away with it because their owner couldn’t resist taking them for a run right after.

Experts at VCA Animal Hospitals say dogs don’t feel guilt the way we do. What we interpret as a “guilty” look (avoiding eye contact, ducking) is actually a reaction to our body language and tone of voice.

So while Jax might seem regretful, he was probably just responding to Aubrey’s slightly harsh questions.

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For those with a dog who tends to dig, like Jax or his sister Piper, there are ways to curb the behavior.

The Humane Society recommends providing your dog with a designated digging area, increasing physical activity, and mental stimulation to prevent boredom. It can also be helpful to supervise your dog when he’s in the yard and redirect him to appropriate areas.

The video sparked a wave of hilarious comments. “I’m staying silent until a lawyer is present,” wrote one user. “Guilty dogs are my favorite,” commented another.

One comment that sums up the essence of Jax’s strategy read: “If I close my eyes, you can’t see me.”

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