Carpenter Takes Shoes Off, Customer’s Dog Takes His Chance: ‘Mocking You’

What started as an ordinary working day quickly turned into a comedy sketch for a worker who left his shoes unattended, only to find that one went missing on his return.

In a viral TikTok video shared on Monday under the username @lifeaedean, the worker can be seen putting on his one remaining shoe, as a customer’s dog parades his other shoe around like a trophy after stealing it from him.

“Took my shoes off at the door. Came back, dog’s nicked (stolen) my shoe,” the poster says in the clip, as he and two other people can be seen in the clip chasing the dog to get the shoe back. “Operation get my shoe back.”

It is not uncommon for a dog to steal objects such as shoes, or even socks. But what is it about stinky footwear that attracts them so much?

Dogs may take our shoes for several reasons, including teething, boredom, over-stimulation, anxiety, or just demanding attention or play, according to Vet Help Direct. Puppies often chew shoes to soothe their gums when teething, while dogs lacking physical or mental stimulation may act out to get a reaction.

Some breeds, like retrievers, are bred to carry things in their mouths, so if you own one, you should remove any shoes from the door when you leave the house.

Other dogs, especially those that are anxious or suffer from separation anxiety, might find comfort in your scent.

To prevent your dog from chewing off your shoes, you should ensure they get plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation through walks, puzzle toys, and interactive play.

You should also teach them commands like “leave” or “swap.” It’s important that you never chase your dog, as it can reinforce the behavior, making it look like a game. If problems persist, a veterinarian or a qualified animal behaviorist may help you out.

The video quickly went viral on TikTok and it has so far received over 262,900 views and 22,900 likes on the platform.

One user, StormzTailz, commented: “Is there any evidence the dog took it though? it’s unclear.”

Leighowens7 said: “My dog did this with a stranger who was carrying a spare pair of boots with her. She missed her train. mortifying is an understatement.”

HenryParkin added: “I had this with my van keys, spent a good 10 mins searching before the customer realized.”

Karli Sando said: “The way it’s looks at you, it’s mocking you.”

Newsweek reached out to @lifeaedean for comment via TikTok comments. We could not verify the details of the case.

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.