Dog Desperate for Cuddles Not Allowed on the Couch—but He Has a Plan

A cuddly Border collie desperate for affection but banned from the couch took matters into his own paws—and internet viewers can’t get enough.

TikTok user @brucegibbs13 shared an adorable clip of their dog standing upright on his hind legs, inching toward the couch where their owner was napping. Slowly and determinedly, the pup crept beside them, eventually nestling in for a cuddle. The video quickly captured hearts online, racking up more than 2.2 million views and over 324,100 likes.

“When you’re not allowed on the couch but need cuddles,” read the on-screen text. “How can you be mad at that though?!” the video was captioned.

Border collies are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and deep emotional connection with their humans. The American Kennel Club said they are widely regarded as one of the smartest dog breeds and thrive on human interaction, making them especially eager to bond with their families—couch or no couch.

Still, keeping dogs off the furniture is a common rule in many households. The U.K.-based charity Dogs Trust advises consistency when training your dog to stay off furniture and recommends providing a comfy alternative space, like a dedicated dog bed, to meet their need for rest and closeness.

Sleeping with your dog can offer a variety of emotional and physical benefits, according to the Sleep Foundation.

Sharing a bed with a pet may help reduce anxiety; ease feelings of loneliness; and provide a sense of safety and comfort that can improve overall sleep quality.

For many people, the presence of their pup contributes to a calming bedtime routine and stronger feelings of emotional closeness. While some may worry about potential sleep disruptions, studies suggest that having a dog in the bedroom—especially one that is well-behaved—can actually lead to more-restful sleep for certain individuals.

But not everyone agreed with the strict no-couch policy—and many TikTok viewers were quick to weigh in.

“You can clean and replace a couch, but cant replace the moment,” one user commented.

“Imagine not letting your dog on the couch …,” wrote someone named Kaila.

“Why is everyone so upset about a dog not being on a couch … it’s their choice and I wouldn’t want my couch ruined either,” posted Amba.

“He’s technically not on the couch. He’s on the blanket,” one viewer pointed out.

“I had this rule with my collie, soon went out the window, snuggling with her is the best thing ever, let him on the couch,” another shared.

Newsweek reached out to @brucegibbs13 for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.

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