A German shepherd’s heartbreaking reaction to being left alone has reduced the internet to tears.
A video showing how Moose responds when his owners leave him at home by himself was shared on his dedicated TikTok account (@moosiethegermanshepherd). The footage, captured by a pet cam, shows the German shepherd pining by the front door on several occasions and even howling as he waits for his humans to return.
The adorable clip has gone viral in the days since it was posted, leading to more than 1.1 million views and 153,200 views on TikTok at the time of writing.
Newsweek has contacted the @moosiethegermanshepherd account via TikTok for comment.
Moose’s reaction to being left alone didn’t just break hearts online—it melted his owner’s heart, too. The caption alongside the clip reads: “Never leaving the house again.”
A stock image of a German shepherd waiting by a window.
ManicBlu/Getty Images
The video follows a TikTok trend that has seen many owners sharing pet cam footage of what their pup gets up to during the day. Some of the clips are real tear-jerkers, while others have shown the hilarious carnage that dogs create instead.
Leaving a pet at home can be tough for any owner, especially if they know their four-legged friend is pining for them the entire time. But there are ways to make them feel more comfortable when they are alone, including mentally stimulating toys such as puzzles, leaving the TV or radio on or crate training.
Additionally, the Animal Humane Society suggests hiring a dog walker, sending the dog to a daycare center or maybe even getting another pet.
Dogs who exhibit signs of extreme stress while they are alone may have separation anxiety. The American Kennel Club (AKC) explains that this goes beyond a little whimper or chewing a few items when unattended. A dog experiencing separation anxiety may bark excessively, pace, become destructive, have accidents in the home or attempt to escape confinement—including from their crate.
While it’s not guaranteed what causes this, it could be a traumatic event, life changes, moving to a new house or the sudden absence of a family member. The AKC suggests working out the triggers in order to figure out potential ways of treating separation anxiety.
Owners may find it beneficial to crate-train their pup to provide them with a safe and quiet space of their own. Ensuring the dog is getting enough exercise can also ensure they settle down when they are alone as they have burned off more energy.
Trying to build positive associations with being home alone can also help desensitize dogs and counter-condition them from this fear. Giving them rewards and treats can also help them see that separation can sometimes be good.
The TikTok Reaction
The adorable footage showing Moose’s heartbreak has devastated many social media users, leading to more than 1,300 comments on TikTok already.
One comment on the post reads: “He is calling his pack because he thinks they left him behind. It shatters my heart.”
Another TikTok user wrote: “Stop, you can NEVER leave your house again.”
“That’s why I don’t put a camera in the house, I’d want to find a way to bring my dog to work,” joked one commenter.
While one person added: “Him waiting to surprise you with his toy when you come back, I can’t.”
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