A man from Michigan couldn’t understand why his socks kept disappearing for over six months, until one day he caught the thief in the act on camera, and internet users can’t cope with the hilarious footage.
In the viral clip, shared on TikTok in January under the username @adventures_of_the_dude_, the poster casually finds all of his socks spread on the ground in a hay field, as his dog, known as the Dude, lies there looking proud.
“Six months of socks missing, and this is what I find: Dude’s private collection,” reads layover text in the clip, as the poster asks the golden retriever/fox red Labrador retriever mix whether it was indeed him who orchestrated the theft.
Dogs seem to be interested in all sorts of smelly things, whether it’s toilet paper in the bathroom or used socks after a day out, but according to a Dogster article medically reviewed by Dr. Amanda Charles, they have their reasons.
Your pup may be stealing your socks because they smell of you, and they love your smell. Or because they are smelling something of interest, like food crumbs you might have stepped on before removing your socks.
Their motivation could also be teething if they are puppies, although they would also show different signs. They might also be acting out of boredom, using destructive behavior as a coping mechanism.
Dr. Jess Kirk says in a Vet Explains Pets article that there could also be a medical condition behind it, which is known among veterinarians as pica, and is characterized by a compulsive urge to eat non-food items.
While playing with socks may seem innocent, it can become dangerous for your pup if they accidentally ingest them, as it may lead to dangerous gastrointestinal obstructions.
The most effective way to keep your pup off your socks, is to always pick them up from the floor and leave them somewhere your dog can’t access.
If they manage to get a hold of one of your socks don’t grab it from them or chase them, this will make it look like a game. Instead, trade it with something else, like one of their toys, and once they let it go, reward them.
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The video went viral on social media and it has so far received over 155,500 views and 13,500 likes on the platform.
One user, Maggie, commented: “No he’s been planting sock seeds since march.”
Lfimfim wrote: “Omg if I was hiking in the woods and came across a massive pile of used socks, I’d be fearing for my life.”
Watmeggfarts added: “Careful my dog had to have a $3,000 sock removed from her stomach/bowels.”
Newsweek reached out to @adventures_of_the_dude_ for comment. We could not verify the details of the case.
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