Many people adore owning dogs for numerous reasons, not least their affection and companionship. However, our four-legged companions offer additional advantages too. Having a dog also serves as an effective deterrent against potential burglars and other criminals targeting your property.
Most would-be intruders will avoid breaking into a house or flat if they hear a dog barking within due to the risk of raising the alarm, not to mention the possibility of being attacked with sharp teeth. However, one owner revealed their own four-legged friend had proved rather inadequate as a guard dog, sharing a video on Reddit showing how the animal responded when a maintenance worker entered their flat, reports the Mirror.
The video bears the title: “Golden retrievers don’t believe in stranger danger they see everything as friends.” It carries the caption: “I asked the maintenance guy to send a video of my dog when he entered the apartment to see how he would react to a stranger entering.”
Shot from the perspective of the handyman, the footage starts with them entering the flat, announcing: “Hello, maintenance.” They receive a welcome from the owner’s golden retriever, which stretches, wags its tail, and cheerfully approaches them.
It’s widely understood that a wagging tail indicates joy in dogs, and, according to petmd.com, when a canine stretches it may be displaying affection, or demonstrating it poses no threat.
The maintenance worker says “hey buddy! How you doing buddy?” while they stroke the dog on the head as it happily wags its tail, before getting a toy from its bed. The pet then submissively rolls onto its back and allows the worker to scratch its belly and face. Ending the video, the maintenance worker says: “You are such an excellent dog!”
Users on Reddit loved the clip, with one writing: “Hello random stranger in my house! Welcome!! Here’s where we keep the cash and jewellery and if you rub my belly, I’ll help you carry the TV out.” Replying, another said: “This dog even shared his favourite toy with the guy within seconds.”
Another posted an amazing story of their own. They wrote: “This looks so familiar, sort of.
“A relative had surveillance from a burglary that happened to them. You’d see the burglar cross the screen a few times (was only one camera), and the golden following him around with one of her toys trying to get him to play.
“When the family came home they didn’t notice anything wrong at first. She wasn’t acting out of character at all.
“Burglar was caught not long after when he tried at another house in the same area also with a dog (rottweiler). The rottweiler had no problem with him entering the yard or the house. But once he attempted to leave the premises the rottweiler wouldn’t let him.
“It also wouldn’t let him set down the items he took. So after a while the thief had to call out for help. A neighbour heard him and called the police after they saw what was going on.”
According to petscare.com, golden retrievers are adept at monitoring for danger as they excel at barking to warn owners of suspicious behaviour and potential hazards, and possess strong protective instincts. But they are less suitable as guard dogs as they lack natural aggression and are frequently overly welcoming with strangers.
Another Reddit user commented: “My family had a golden retriever while I was growing up, and the only time she acted aggressive was towards my uncle dressed as Santa. She had no problem with any human except Santa I guess.”
