Tears as pet cam captures dog’s “howl of utter sadness” when left alone

Dogs thrive on companionship and even a second away from their human can hurt their feelings. At least that’s what one owner discovered through the pet camera after leaving their dog alone for the first time.

The home security camera started swiveling around in a TikTok video that was posted on September 1 by @teddyware.thegolden after hearing a commotion from the other side of the room. It revealed Teddy the golden retriever standing around, howling his little heart out.

It was the first time the dog was left home alone and he was not thrilled about the decision. He stood up with his head held high as he let out the loudest cries. In his mind, if he cried loud enough then maybe his owners would return soon. It was at this exact moment the owners realized Teddy couldn’t be home alone again.

The video’s caption reads: “It’s okay guys, I promise I have a babysitter every time mom and dad have to leave.”

Newsweek reached out to @teddyware.thegolden via TikTok for additional information.

As of Friday, the TikTok video amassed over 105,700 views and 3,036 likes. People’s hearts broke hearing the dog howling for his owners.

“The howl of utter sadness being left all alone forever!” one TikTok user wrote.

A second came to Teddy’s defense and posted: “30 days straight of pup cups and my client won’t sue for emotional damage.” The owner agreed that it was only fair for having the dog go through that time alone.

Others shared their pets’ similar experiences, with one TikTok user writing: “Oh the pain, my chi does when I leave half the time, I can hear her thru the doors.”

How to Stop the Howls?

It’s not uncommon for dogs to howl. It’s instinctual, their way of communicating, getting attention, making contact with other dogs or announcing their presence. However, howling can also be triggered by an underlying problem such as emergency sirens or musical instruments.

While natural, howling can be excessive and might cause problems with neighbors. To stop the howls, WebMD suggests trying desensitization and counterconditioning to help change a dog’s mind or feelings about a specific trigger.

Sometimes the howling could be because they are seeking attention. As hard as it might be, try ignoring the howls. It will be a signal to them that howling does not work. If they’re responding to outside sounds, distract them with a treat or toy.

In Teddy’s situation, if your dog is home alone and gets anxious or sad, be sure to give them plenty of love or attention when you return. This includes taking them on walks, working on tricks or training and spending quality time together.

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.